Dubai, UAE - You would deeply cherish the experience of witnessing your child's teeth grow along with their overall development. It's a journey filled with excitement and milestones, and each new tooth that emerges is a mark of your child's growth. When white spots appear on your child's teeth, it may concern you and your child. Though white spots or streaks on newly formed teeth are not unusual, they should not be overlooked.

3 reasons why your baby’s teeth have white spots

Tooth decay
A white spot on your child's teeth may indicate tooth decay. These white spots have a powdery, pale appearance and can be noticed along your child's gum line. As the decomposition process continues, they are likely to turn brown or yellow. "The good news is that your child's tooth decay can still be reversed at this time! You can begin improving your child's dental hygiene practises and beginning treatment at myPediaclinic, pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Your child's teeth will be cleaned of plaque and tartar, and fluoride will be administered if necessary" says Dr. Yasmin Kottait, Best Pediatric Dentist in Dubai.

Preventing tooth decay
Begin cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as their first tooth appears. Use a moist cloth or a children's toothbrush dipped in water to clean.
Use a smear-sized amount of 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste on a small, soft toothbrush if your child is aged between 18 months to 6 years. Children as young as six years old can use a pea-sized amount of normal fluoride toothpaste.
Brush your child’s teeth and gumline twice a day, in the morning and before bed. Your child will require your assistance to clean their teeth until they are capable of doing so on their own.

Fluorosis not relevant anymore it happens in certain countries only make sure to reflect that
Fluorosis is a possible cause of white patches on your child’s newly developing primary teeth. Fluorosis arises when your child consumes too much fluoride while the teeth are forming beneath the gum surface. They are sometimes visible as white streaks, sometimes as tiny, irregular patches, or only detectable on a close dental checkup.

Fluoride is an excellent protector and strengthener of dental enamel, as well as a tremendous benefit to your child’s growing teeth. When it mixes with other minerals to form the hard, outer shell that covers the inner tooth, it keeps the enamel firm and healthy. Remember, like with most wonderful things, there can be too much of it.

Fluorosis is only a risk before your child’s teeth erupt, that is before they protrude from the gums. Fluorosis is also more common in locations with high levels of fluoride naturally occurring in the soil.

The good news is that fluorosis areas on teeth are not weak regions; in fact, they are often stronger than the surrounding enamel. They are not a health concern - rather a cosmetic one.

Preventing Fluorosis
Teaching your child proper brushing techniques can assist prevent the formation of these spots.
Fluoride supplements should not be given to your child unless prescribed by the best dentist for kids.
Until your child is three, the right amount of toothpaste should be the size of a grain of rice, and a pea-sized amount if your child is three to six years old.
Check the public drinking water source in your area. If your water is not fluoridated, talk to your child's doctor or the best pediatric dentist in Dubai about other ways to ensure your family gets enough fluoride.
Breastfeed your infant till they’re six months old.
To avoid unintentional ingestion, keep all dental supplies out of the reach of young children.

Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia can cause white or brown patches on your child’s teeth. This syndrome is caused by a variety of circumstances, including poor nutrition, high fevers from illness, smoking during pregnancy, and premature birth. Enamel hypoplasia can also be caused by some drugs and dental trauma. Children with enamel hypoplasia are more likely to decay in areas with white patches, thus it is important to keep a close eye on those areas. It is not necessary to treat enamel hypoplasia unless it is creating areas of tooth decay.

Preventing Enamel Hypoplasia
While you're breastfeeding, your baby's teeth are developing inside their gums. Your baby must acquire the vitamins and minerals they need to create strong teeth from breast milk. Consume plenty of whole foods as well as a range of fruits and vegetables.
Wiping your baby's gums with a soft cloth or toothbrush removes any bacterial colonies that have formed on the surface. Good dental hygiene with your infant can help prevent infections that can lead to enamel hypoplasia later in life.
Feed your child nutritious meals and ensure they eat a rich diet to avoid malnutrition, which causes enamel developmental abnormalities. They should consume calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D-rich meals.
Certain foods, such as fruit snacks or crackers, can cause decay. Keep processed, high-sugar, and high-carb meals out of your child's diet as much as possible.
Encourage your child to maintain proper oral hygiene and take every precaution to avoid tooth decay.

Treatment for dental white spots in kids
"The treatment of white spots on your child’s teeth may be dependent on what caused them in the first place, therefore your dentist will begin with a gentle yet comprehensive exam to establish why the spots appeared in the first place," says Dr. Yasmin.

Your dentist will discuss any potential problems caused by the discoloration, such as an increased risk of decay, as well as the best treatment option with you. If the white spots do not indicate disease and are visible on baby teeth, treatment may not be necessary. On the other hand, if white spots appear on your child's permanent teeth, your dentist will discuss cosmetic dental solutions to help cover up and correct the flaws.

White patches on teeth are usually not a cause for concern. If your youngster is self-conscious about it, there are various white spot treatments available.

Microabrasion - A tiny layer of your child’s tooth's enamel is removed during microabrasion to lessen the appearance of white spots.

Tooth whitening or bleaching - By brightening the appearance of the teeth as a whole, whitening or bleaching the surface of the teeth can help cover your child’s white spots - only in permanent teeth if indicated

Fluoride treatments - If your child's white spots are caused by enamel hypoplasia or tooth decay, fluoride treatments may be used to strengthen the tooth enamel and remove the spots.

Composite resin - The same resin used by the best dentist for kids to treat cavities can also be used to repair white spots on teeth. The discoloured area of your child’s tooth will be removed with a dental drill, and then a tooth-matching resin will be placed on the tooth.

Dental veneers - They are thin tooth "jackets" that slip over the surface of the tooth and conceal any flaws such as white spots. Veneers, the most expensive of the white spot treatments, your dentist may not frequently suggest it for paediatric patients.

Book your consultation with Dr. Yasmin, best pediatric dentist in Dubai for the best treatment options for your child and learn more about the prevention methods.

About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of Pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.