2 / N O T A L L W H I T E S P O T S A R E T H E S A M E
Here is where parents often get confused and understandably so. There are several different causes of white spots on children ' s teeth, and they look similar but require quite different responses. Here ' s how to tell them apart.
The location is often the most reliable clue. Early decay tends to appear near the gumline or between teeth— the spots that are hardest to clean. Fluorosis affects multiple teeth in a symmetrical pattern because it happens during the developmental phase when all those teeth are forming at the same time. A trauma-related spot affects only the specific tooth that was impacted, or the adult tooth that was developing beneath a knocked baby tooth at the time of injury. If you ' re ever unsure which type you ' re looking at, the answer is simply book in to see us. Even if it turns out to be nothing, ruling out early decay is always worth a quick check.
A note on fluorosis: this is one of the most common sources of parental worry, and it ' s worth providing some reassurance. Mild fluorosis— a few faint white streaks— is extremely common and has no health consequences. It ' s purely cosmetic.
It happens when a young child ingests more fluoride than needed during the years their teeth are forming, most commonly from swallowing toothpaste. This is why we recommend no toothpaste for children under 18 months, and a peasized low-fluoride amount from 18 months onwards, with supervision until they can reliably spit rather than swallow.
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