Translucent Teeth: What's Causing It and What You Can Do
November 15 2021 by Mills Haven Dental
Are your teeth looking a little see-through? Do you feel like when the light is shining, they seem even more translucent?
Keep reading to find out what causes translucent teeth and what you can do about it.
Causes
Transparent teeth are an indication of one thing: Your tooth enamel is worn down enough that your teeth appear to be see-through.
Enamel is the thin coat that covers the crowns of your teeth. It’s made of a variety of minerals that allow it to be strong against different substances and temperatures. A fun fact is that tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body, which is why it can protect your teeth so well.
Your tooth enamel can get damaged by several things, some within your control and some outside of it. Here are two possibilities:
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Acid Erosion: This is when you lose enamel because your teeth come into contact with an excess of acids. This can happen when you have a highly acidic diet (e.g., lots of citrus or soda), but can also be a result of acid reflux and frequent vomiting. Acid erosion is not uncommon for people who are experiencing morning sickness or struggling with bulimia.
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Enamel Hypoplasia: This is a genetic condition that causes a lack of mineralization, meaning your body didn’t develop proper enamel in the first place. If you have children, visit the dentist regularly to check for this condition as it can be a sign of bigger problems.
Prevention
The reason you need to be concerned about your tooth enamel is that it has a major impact on your overall dental health. Worn-down tooth enamel can lead to tooth sensitivity and make your teeth weaker. Your teeth will be a lot easier to damage, even while doing everyday activities like eating and brushing your teeth.
Although some causes of tooth enamel loss are out of our control (e.g., people with celiac disease are more likely to experience enamel loss), there is a lot that you can do to minimize damage. Practice these prevention tips to protect your tooth enamel so it can protect you:
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Adjust your diet: Reduce the number of acidic foods in your diet, especially soda and tons of citrus fruit.
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Great dental hygiene: Always brush twice per day for 2 minutes and don’t forget to floss!
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Dental appointments: Visit your dentist at least once per year to keep your enamel healthy.
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Fluoride treatments: Your dentist will help you with fluoride treatments, but did you know regular tap water has fluoride added? Drink from the tap for a little extra help preventing enamel loss.
Treatment
Tooth enamel damage is a normal part of life, but once your teeth become translucent it may be a sign that you’ve lost too much. Unfortunately, like bones, your tooth enamel can’t just grow back or heal on its own. You’ll need help from your dentist to diminish the appearance of transparent teeth.
The Mills Haven Dental team recommends two types of cosmetic dentistry to restore your smile from enamel damage:
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Veneers: These protective shells will cover the front of your teeth so that translucent teeth aren’t visible. They’ll also protect against future enamel damage.
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Bonding: Your dentist will apply composite resin to the affected teeth. The colour of the resin can be closely matched to your tooth’s original colour, so you no longer have a see-through appearance.