Decalcification
This is a white spot or white area where the enamel has been scarred. Patients most often see decalcification after the braces come off, in areas around where the brackets were located and along the gumline. Some people think that braces cause decalcification scars. Such is not the case. Decalcification actually occurs due to poor cleaning, allowing the acid in the plaque to sit on the enamel structure long enough that it starts leeching out the calcium from the enamel — that is why it is called "decalcification." The calcium is what makes the enamel strong, and without it, the enamel becomes soft. You can think of decalcification as the beginning stage of a cavity, when the acid has not yet reached the inner layers of the tooth, but has weakened the outer layer.
Once you have decalcification spots on your teeth, they are scars and cannot be reversed. They can only be restored by a dentist. Whitening the teeth can improve the esthetics of these areas, but the damage has been done and is caused by poor oral hygiene.
Fluoride use, along with excellent brushing and flossing habits, can help to prevent this decalcification scarring. In addition, fluoride can help to remineralize the affected areas to a point, but it cannot completely reverse the process of decalcification. Once you have decalcification spots, those areas will be susceptible to becoming cavities in the future.
