Your teeth have a protective coat, namely enamel. Over time, factors like an acidic or sugary diet, poor oral hygiene, and health issues can remove the tooth enamel. Enamel erosion leads to tooth decay and might be why you have see-through teeth. Although you cannot reverse the damage, there are ways to prevent it. To do so, you should learn the possible causes. You will find six causes and some treatments for translucent teeth in this blog.
What do See-Through Teeth Mean?
Translucent teeth don’t occur in a single night. When the tooth enamel starts wearing down, the tooth layer under it, called dentin, becomes visible. This causes the teeth to lose their actual color. As the edges are made entirely of enamel, the tips of teeth look transparent. Simply put, see-through teeth are a sign of enamel erosion.
Possible Causes Behind See-Through Teeth
Enamel wear and tear can be a result of any of these factors:
1. Acidic Foods & Drinks
Acidic foods and drinks lower the pH concentration of your saliva, which demineralizes your tooth enamel. Coffee, soda, and citrus fruits contain acid. Regularly consuming these can give you transparent teeth.
2. Dry Mouth
Your mouth needs salivary flow; otherwise, the acids stick to your teeth and cause enamel erosion. Insufficient saliva or dry mouth can occur due to medications, aging, and medical conditions like diabetes. If you have a dry mouth, you might notice your front teeth thinning at the bottom.
3. Enamel Hypoplasia
Health complications like enamel hypoplasia can interrupt healthy enamel growth. Hence, the unhealthy development of enamel can cause see-through teeth.
4. Acid Reflux
Acid reflux results from corrosive stomach acids backing up towards your throat. These corrosive acids can wear down the healthy enamel, which leads to erosion. Thus, you might have translucent teeth because of acid reflux.
5. Vomiting Frequently
If your or your children’s teeth are going see-through, it might be due to frequent vomiting. Any condition that makes you throw up a lot leads to enamel erosion, as it allows the corrosive stomach acids to come in contact with our teeth.
6. Celiac Disease
Some people’s small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, which can cause problems in digestion. This condition is known as celiac disease, which might damage the intestine. Moreover, it can become a reason behind transparent teeth. This autoimmune disorder shows up as dry mouth, recurrent canker sores, atrophic glossitis, and more.
What are the Treatment Options?
Although restoring your tooth enamel is impossible, you can prevent it from further erosion. Visiting your dentist is the first thing you should do. They can assess the damage and opt for a suitable treatment. Not only do see-through teeth signify damage, but they are also a cosmetic concern. Therefore, the treatment options include:
- Bonding for moderate damage.
- Dental veneers for minor to moderate discoloration.
- Dental crown for extremely damaged or discolored teeth.
Sometimes home remedies can replenish tooth enamel minerals if the damage is minor. Therefore, your dentist might suggest some things you can try at home to make your teeth stronger.
The Takeaway
All in all, see-through teeth mean that the enamel layer is eroding. Many reasons can make your teeth go transparent. Hence, practicing good oral hygiene, having a nutritious diet, and visiting your dentist for treatment is the best way to tackle the issue before it occurs. At Smile 4 Ever Family Dentistry, we aim to give you a beautiful and healthy smile. Dial 281-213-5668 to enhance your smile and strengthen your teeth today.