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: 

• Strict Brushing Routines: By paying attention to where and how you brush, you can ultimately remove as much plaque as possible around the brackets and wires of your braces and prevent the onset of white spot lesions. 
• Flossing With Orthodontic Floss: Flossing regularly with orthodontic floss or regular wax floss can work to get in between the brackets and wires and clean out areas that are normally missed by people who don’t floss. 
• Healthy, Sugarless Diets: Your diet is an essential part of your oral health. During these stages, it is especially important to reduce the amount of sugar and carbs you eat each day so that way fewer bacteria can grow in your mouth.

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:

• Regular cleanings: Getting regular cleanings from your dentist can gradually remove white spot lesions and prevent them from becoming cavities
• Fluoride treatments: Fluoride treatments are an essential part of removing white spot lesions as they help restrengthen the enamel by infusing it with fluoride. Fluoride is able to bond with the compounds found within the enamel and thus can also be used to prevent cavities. 
• Enamel bonding: Enamel bonding is a procedure that uses composite resin to reform the teeth and make them appear natural and beautiful, and thus immediately removes the white spot and protects the area from further decay. 

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!