Which intervention can reverse or arrest white spot lesions?

Which intervention can reverse or arrest white spot lesions?

• A. Only brushing
• B. Topical fluoride
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Vitamin supplements

Answer: (B)

White spot lesions are early enamel caries where minerals have been lost beneath an intact surface. Topical fluoride is the best intervention because it shifts the balance toward remineralization and makes the lesion more resistant to acid attack. Fluoride helps pull calcium and phosphate back into the subsurface area and promotes the formation of fluorapatite, which is harder and less soluble than normal enamel. This dual effect can arrest the progression of the lesion and, with enough exposure, reverse the mineral loss enough to improve the appearance. Brushing alone mainly cleans the surface and does not supply the minerals needed to refill the subsurface porosities. Antibiotics target bacteria rather than the mineral changes in enamel. Vitamin supplements don’t directly promote remineralization of an established white spot lesion.

White spot lesions are early enamel caries where minerals have been lost beneath an intact surface. Topical fluoride is the best intervention because it shifts the balance toward remineralization and makes the lesion more resistant to acid attack. Fluoride helps pull calcium and phosphate back into the subsurface area and promotes the formation of fluorapatite, which is harder and less soluble than normal enamel. This dual effect can arrest the progression of the lesion and, with enough exposure, reverse the mineral loss enough to improve the appearance.

Brushing alone mainly cleans the surface and does not supply the minerals needed to refill the subsurface porosities. Antibiotics target bacteria rather than the mineral changes in enamel. Vitamin supplements don’t directly promote remineralization of an established white spot lesion.