Decalcification

- This usually manifests as white marks in the tooth enamel near the gum margin from poor or imperfect brushing
- The acid generated by the plaque leaches the Calcium out of the tooth and makes it rough and weak.
- This decalcified enamel retains plaque more easily and over time becomes a cavity
- With excellent brushing and flossing these areas can remineralise and become stronger but the white mark remains
- To remove the white mark the dentist would need to do a tooth-coloured composite or glass ionomer filling