Our teeth are white. Over time, of course, they can become stained by things such as the foods and drinks we enjoy. Your teeth shouldn’t look transparent, though—if your teeth have a translucent quality to them, you’re likely seeing a bigger problem.
Translucent teeth can happen slowly over time for a variety of reasons. Here, we’ll look at some of those reasons and discuss what you can do to stop it from happening.
Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion happens when the shiny hard protective layer that covers your tooth interior tissues is damaged. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but is usually the result of acids and bacteria present in the mouth that cause decay. One of the worse culprits of this is stomach acids—that’s why acid reflux or morning sickness can cause so much damage to the mouth.
Your enamel may be worn down due to other factors, including teeth grinding. Even brushing too aggressively can impact your tooth enamel. When enamel is eroded, your teeth may become more sensitive or appear to have chips and cracks or have a rough surface. Enamel erosion can cause a transparent look in the affected teeth!
Enamel Hypoplasia or Hypomineralization
Enamel hypoplasia can cause white spots on the teeth that may be translucent or white. Your teeth may even have physical abnormalities to them such as grooves or indentations on the visible parts of your teeth. Enamel hypoplasia is the result of the enamel not forming correctly, sometimes due to overexposure of fluoride, especially as a child.
Hypomineralization is a condition in which the enamel doesn’t receive enough minerals to be healthy. This leads to damaged enamel and translucent teeth. This condition may not be immediately apparent but may happen over time.
Some clues to look for are increasing tooth sensitivity, teeth changing color (becoming darker or translucent), or changing texture. As your enamel wears away, your teeth are also more susceptible to decay. Since enamel protects your teeth, a lack of healthy minerals or enamel hypoplasia can worsen your risk for tooth decay.
What Can You Do?
Translucent teeth can be embarrassing and worrying. Fortunately, you do have options for helping teeth that have already begun to turn translucent. Enamel remineralization may be an option—it’s a procedure done by your dentist to help repair your enamel. You may also choose veneers, which protect your teeth while also enhancing your appearance.
It’s important to prevent enamel erosion as much as you possibly can by taking care of your teeth. Enamel erosion can be prevented by brushing gently, eating a healthy diet, and visiting your dentist. Talk to your dentist about how healthy your enamel is and what you can do to improve it.
If you’re seeing a change in your teeth that makes them appear more transparent, you could be seeing signs of enamel damage. Talk to your dentist about your enamel. Teeth are not supposed to appear translucent and this condition could be affecting your dental health. Make an appointment to get help today!
