At the end of August, with your skin more tanned after days on the beach in Torre del Mar, it is very common to look in the mirror and notice the details of your smile more than ever. The contrast with a tan makes the colour of your teeth stand out, but it can also reveal something that went unnoticed before: white spots on your teeth, small chalky, intensely white marks or lines that look very different from the natural shade of the enamel.
At Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic, located in Torre del Mar, we see many patients at this time of year who are worried about these cosmetic changes. Far from being just a visual issue, these marks are a warning sign from your enamel. Today we explain, from a clinical point of view, why these white spots appear and which treatments can remove them. Learn to read the signals your teeth are sending you! 🛡️
The three main reasons: why do white spots appear on your teeth? 🤔
Healthy enamel should be translucent and even. When it loses minerals or does not form properly, its density changes and it becomes opaque, creating that matt white colour. The three most common medical causes are:
- Demineralisation (early tooth decay): this is the most common cause in adults and young people. When plaque builds up in one area for a long time (for example, around orthodontic braces or near the gumline), the acids produced by bacteria start to dissolve the minerals in the enamel. That white spot is actually the warning sign of a cavity at its very earliest stage (which is why it pays to follow these hygiene tips if you wear braces).
- Dental fluorosis: this happens only during childhood, while the permanent teeth are forming under the gum. If a child regularly swallows too much fluoride (by swallowing toothpaste or drinking heavily fluoridated water), the enamel develops with scattered white spots or lines. We explain it in more detail in our article on what dental fluorosis is.
- Enamel hypoplasia: this is caused by a problem in tooth development due to high fevers in childhood, vitamin deficiencies or knocks to the baby teeth. The permanent tooth comes through with a thinner layer of enamel and localised spots.
How do we treat them at Acosta Cubero Clinic? ⚙️
In the past, the only way to remove these spots was to drill away part of the tooth and place a filling or a crown. Fortunately, at our clinic in Vélez-Málaga we use conservative, innovative techniques to make them disappear without touching the healthy structure of the tooth:
- Low-viscosity resin infiltration: this is the go-to treatment for spots caused by demineralisation or orthodontics. We apply a clinical product that penetrates the micropores of the damaged enamel and fills them, so the tooth immediately regains the same colour and shine as the rest, with no injections and no drilling.
- Enamel microabrasion: for superficial spots caused by fluorosis or hypoplasia, we precisely polish away the altered layer of enamel and combine it with remineralising agents to even out the shade of your smile.
- Combined teeth whitening: sometimes a white spot stands out because the rest of the tooth has darkened with coffee or age. Professional teeth whitening at the clinic helps match the background colour of the tooth to the spot, blending it in completely and giving you a radiant smile.
Bring back an even smile in the Axarquía! 😊
White spots on your teeth do not go away on their own, and brushing harder will not remove them; in fact, if the cause is active demineralisation, ignoring it means it will turn into a deep cavity over time.
If your summer tan has brought small imperfections or spots on your enamel to light, book your appointment at Acosta Cubero Dental Clinic in Torre del Mar (Vélez-Málaga). Our team of dentists will assess your case to restore the health and even colour of your teeth as gently as possible. Keep enjoying your summer with a flawless smile! ✨
