A new study offers important guidance for treating the common white spots that appear after braces are removed.
Those white marks are decalcifications caused by plaque gathering around orthodontic brackets. They are common after fixed appliance treatment and can be cosmetically and structurally concerning if not properly managed.
Until now, the usual recommendation has been to rely on fluoridated toothpaste to promote remineralization and help reduce these lesions.
This study shows that nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste outperforms standard fluoridated toothpaste in restoring enamel where brackets were bonded, effectively reducing or eliminating those white spot lesions.
For anyone undergoing orthodontic treatment, consider using a nanohydroxyapatite toothpaste before, during, and after treatment. Beyond improving the appearance and integrity of enamel at bracket sites, switching from fluoride to nanohydroxyapatite may be preferable for other reasons, including potential benefits for a teenager’s developing brain and oral microbiome.
The study also highlights a methodological insight: atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides superior assessment of nano-scale surface changes compared with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the technique many researchers previously treated as the gold standard.
When reviewing remineralization research, check how the treated surfaces are analyzed. Studies using atomic force microscopy are employing a more advanced method for evaluating nano-scale changes, which can lead to more reliable conclusions about enamel recovery.
I’ve been receiving excellent feedback on a couple of recent podcast episodes. If you haven’t listened yet, they’re worth a listen—and I always appreciate your thoughts.
🎧 Episode #95: Do Micro-Plastics Have an Effect on Our Teeth?
🎧 Episode #97: Revitalizing Oral Health Through the Art of Breathing with Wim Hof Instructor Chuck McGee
Saliva health is an often overlooked but vital aspect of oral wellness. Proper hydration keeps salivary glands functioning, but optimal saliva quality means more than just volume—it means the right mineral balance.
Saliva must be mineral-rich to remineralize teeth and help regulate oral biofilms. I refer to this as the “ionic integrity” of saliva.
Maintaining ionic integrity has several benefits: it enables saliva to deliver essential minerals to enamel, helps control plaque formation, favors the growth of beneficial oral bacteria, and protects the mouth from acid challenges from foods, drinks, and bacterial activity.
To learn practical ways to support salivary ionic integrity, listen to Episode #92: Missing Element in Saliva Health. If there’s someone you’d like me to interview on the Ask the Dentist podcast, reply and let me know.
Have a great week,
P.S. A simple, daily way I support my saliva’s ionic integrity is by using an electrolyte powder with a balanced ratio of sodium, magnesium, and potassium.