People who’ve recently removed their braces often succeed with a perfectly beautiful smile, but for some removing their braces results in small, white spots left behind. These white spots are called white spot lesions and can be disastrous and heartbreaking for those who have opted into wearing braces for most of their life. But no worries – white spot lesions can easily be treated through the help of your cosmetic, orthodontic, or restorative dentist with a selection of treatments. As a matter of fact, it’s important to treat these white spot lesions because they can present some serious risks to your oral health. 

What Are White Spot Lesions and How Can They Be Prevented? 

Despite the fact that they are one of the safest ways to straighten your teeth, braces are highly susceptible to plaque buildup. Plaque can build up around the brackets and wires along with the tooth’s enamel, and if not properly cleaned, can result in enamel wear down that leads to white spot lesions. White spot lesions are the result of plaque buildup and are areas of weakened enamel that are highly susceptible to tooth decay and can easily result in cavities, tooth decay, and eventual tooth loss over a short period of time. 

So, how does one actually prevent white spot lesions in the first place? While there isn’t a sure-fire way of preventing white spots, many dentists recommend the following for those currently wearing braces: 

How Do Dentists Currently Treat White Spot Lesions? 

While dentists and researchers in the industry are still working to find better ways to treat white spot lesions, many dentists have some viable treatment options available for those who currently have white spot lesions after removing braces. These treatments include:

For more information about what white spot lesions are and how dentists are currently attempting to treat them today, the best resource for learning more is through scheduling an appointment with your local dentist!