There is nothing sweeter than the little toothy smiles of your toddler. Their teeny, tiny teeth are as cute as can be. However, when you start to notice that there are small white spots on their teeth, it can be a cause for concern. Many parents often ask if those white spots will leave their teeth at some point. Understanding why those white spots are there in the first place is important. Smile Reef is here to talk about what the white spots on your toddler’s teeth are and whether or not those spots will go away.
Understanding White Spots on Toddler Teeth
If you have found that your toddler’s teeth have white spots on them, you may be wondering what is going on. Usually, these white spots indicate enamel demineralization, weakening enamel, or plaque buildup. The most common places to see these white spots develop is along the gumline and on the front teeth. They are often found on babies that have nighttime bottles and nurse at night. This is one of this issues that is incredibly common, but it is also totally avoidable as well.
Common Causes for White Spots on Toddler Teeth
There are several reasons white spots may be showing up on your toddler’s teeth. Let’s take a closer look at what could be causing them.
– Tooth Decay: This can be an early sign of tooth decay. This is often something that happens when plaque sits on the teeth for a prolonged period of time.
– Enamel Hypoplasia: If the enamel didn’t develop or is thinner than it should be, that is known as enamel hypoplasia. It can leave the teeth looking calking and spotted. Certain medications, childhood illness, and nutritional deficiencies can be common causes.
– Fluorosis: When a child’s teeth are exposed to more fluoride that they should be, it can cause white spots or streaks to show up on the teeth. This can be caused by swallowing toothpaste, fluorinated water, or multiple sources of fluoride at once.
– Plaque Buildup: This is a sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth over time. It can look cloudy or white and is found usually on the gumlines. When young children are learning how to properly brush their teeth, it is common for plaque to build up on the teeth.
Will It Go Away?
Most of the time, if enamel starts to break down on teeth, it doesn’t just rebuild itself. When you catch these problems early on, there are treatments that can help strengthen the teeth. Regular cleanings can also play a role in helping your child’s teeth remain healthy and strong.
Pediatric Dentistry
If you are looking for the right dentist for your young child, you can turn to Smile Reef to provide them with the pediatric dentistry that they need. We will help them learn how to take care of their teeth and work to protect the teeth while they learn. Call us today!