Expert: Jeff Dalin DDS - 12/22/2005

Question
Hi,

Can you tell me why I always get a white spot on the bottom left hand corner of my top front tooth when I am getting a cold?

Thanks,
Anna  

Answer
Anna,
Without seeing the tooth in person, I am only guessing. But here is a real possible explanation. When you have a cold, you are probably congested. And when you are congested you are probably mouth breathing (mouth open a lot). When you mouth breath, you dehydrate your teeth and when they dry out, these white splotches can occur. As soon as the teeth are wet again, the spots disappear. See if this is the case...and i do not mean just licking the surface to get it wet. They need to hydrate fully.

Jeff Dalin, DDS