I get where you're coming from about remineralizing, but I’ve actually had a different experience. I had a couple of spots show up while I was in braces, and my ortho was pretty optimistic about remineralizing with fluoride toothpaste. I did everything—electric brush, floss threaders, even those little proxy brushes. Still, one of the spots turned into a cavity after a year. My dentist said sometimes the location matters, like if it’s in a spot that’s hard to keep clean with wires in the way, it’s just more likely to get worse.
Have you ever had a dentist suggest going straight to a filling instead of waiting? I know fillings aren’t ideal, but honestly, I’d rather get it over with than stress about it every checkup. Maybe it’s just me, but the “wait and see” approach kind of stresses me out.
I totally get the stress of the “wait and see” game. My dentist is always super chill about these white spots, but honestly, I’m not. I had one that lingered for like two years, and every visit felt like roulette—will it be a cavity this time? Eventually, I caved and asked for the filling just to stop obsessing over it. Weirdly, it was way less dramatic than I thought. But my cousin swears by remineralizing and she’s never had a problem. Maybe my teeth are just drama queens...
I totally relate to the “drama queen teeth” thing—mine have been putting on a soap opera for decades. I’ve had those stubborn white spots too, and trust me, the anxiety of watching them every six months is real. My dentist once said, “Let’s just keep an eye on it,” and I swear I aged a year waiting for the next checkup.
I did try the remineralizing route for a while (lots of fluoride toothpaste, even those fancy calcium pastes). Honestly, it worked for a couple spots, but not all. Some just refused to cooperate and turned into tiny cavities anyway. That’s when I finally gave in and got them filled. Not gonna lie, I was dreading it, but like you said—it’s so much less dramatic than the mental gymnastics of waiting.
I think some folks just have teeth that are more forgiving, and others, like me, get all the dental cliffhangers. Remineralizing is great if your teeth play along, but sometimes a quick filling is just peace of mind. I’d rather save my stress for something more fun than worrying about a white spot.
Totally get where you’re coming from—those “let’s just watch it” appointments are nerve-wracking. I tried remineralizing too, but like you, some spots just didn’t budge. Sometimes a quick filling really is the least stressful route. You’re definitely not alone.
That “watch and wait” approach can definitely mess with your head—I’ve seen a lot of folks get anxious just sitting on things, hoping those white spots will reverse. I tried remineralizing a stubborn spot myself once, kept up with the fluoride gels and everything, but it just wouldn’t go away. Ended up needing a tiny filling, and honestly, the relief was bigger than I expected. Sometimes it’s just about peace of mind... especially if you’re already brushing and flossing like a champ. Nothing wrong with taking the straightforward route if that’s what lets you sleep at night.
