Early Signs of Enamel Decay: Understanding White Spot Lesions

The earliest visible change associated with enamel caries is the appearance of a white spot lesion. This is due to demineralization of the enamel, which causes the enamel to become more porous and less refractive of light. As the enamel continues to demineralize, the white spot lesion may become more opaque and develop a chalky appearance. If the carious lesion progresses, it will eventually break down the enamel and form a cavity.