White Spot Lesions

White spot lesions are the first sign of dental decay. At Vista Dental in Medicine Hat, we want our patients to understand their significance, which is why this week’s blog post is about how to prevent them and what can be done if they develop.

A white spot lesion, or incipient lesion, looks chalky compared to the rest of the teeth. It resembles enamel that is being eroded by acid reflux, although it can be stained brown with time. Tooth decay tends to begin around the edge of the gum line, where patients have the most difficult time brushing. People with fixed orthodontic brackets tend to develop lesions around the brackets’ edges, leaving them with white spots shaped like hollow rectangles on their teeth after the brackets are removed.

It only takes a month for white spots to form. Good brushing is essential to prevention, but fluoride treatments can also prevent them. A lesion may look shinier after it is no longer active. Once the progress of decay is arrested, mineralization can reverse the damage if it was not severe. Otherwise, teeth whitening, bonding, and veneers are popular cosmetic treatments.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.

 

Causes of Gapped Teeth

Are you frustrated with a gap-toothed grin? If so, the doctors of Vista Dental in Medicine Hat are here to help with a variety of cosmetic and orthodontic treatments. But in order to treat a gap, which is scientifically called a diastema, it is necessary to determine what caused it. This article focuses on gaps between the upper front incisors.

Much of the time, there is simply extra room for teeth, so they don’t close together. In these cases, we can provide correction with the Invisalign series of invisible orthodontic devices. We can also simply close the gap with veneers. However, there may also be some force that is pushing the teeth apart. The labial frenum is the vertical strip of tissue that connects the inside of the upper lip to the jaw. If it is overly thick, it may prevent the front teeth from coming together. If the patient has a habit such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, this may also undo orthodontic or cosmetic correction. Tongue thrusting as a nervous tick may require psychological treatment, while tongue thrusting due to swallowing or breathing difficulty may require the assistance of an ear, nose, and throat doctor.

Vista Dental is located at 7 Strachan Bay SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1B 4Y2, Canada. To schedule an appointment, call 403-548-7077 or visit Vista Dental MH.