A coat of enamel protects your teeth. However, enamel may gradually break down due to certain health conditions and the foods and drinks you consume. As enamel wears off, your teeth may appear transparent. When not addressed, tooth enamel erosion may spread across the affected teeth, making them look thin and clear.
Cosmetic dentistry treatments—including veneers and bonding— can transform the appearance of your teeth entirely. Enamel remineralization is another option, in which your dentist fills the pores of your teeth with a combination of minerals that restore the whiteness and strength of your teeth.
Transparent-appearing teeth are an early sign of enamel erosion. It's better to address this concern sooner rather than later. Such enamel losses are permanent, so it's important to contact your dentist to prevent further complications.
Enamel loss can be genetic or caused by certain medications or foods that you eat. Transparent teeth can be caused by: Acidic erosion: Acidic foods like coffee, citrus fruits, sodas, and sour candies can eat away at your tooth enamel and cause the teeth to appear transparent.
Drinking more water can help neutralize acids in your mouth that cause translucent teeth. Water acts as a natural pH balancer because it has the perfect healthy pH level of 7. Experts recommend that men drink about 3.7 liters of water a day and women should drink about 2.7 liters.
When enamel wears away, or if it never forms properly, the teeth can take on a dull, translucent, or waxy appearance. This means that if your teeth are starting to look transparent, your enamel around the edges of your teeth where dentin does not extend is worn.
As the enamel erodes and more dentin is exposed, the teeth may appear yellow. Cracks and chips. The edges of teeth become more rough, irregular, and jagged as enamel erodes. Smooth, shiny surfaces on the teeth, a sign of mineral loss.
Translucent teeth may be at more risk of decay depending on the amount of enamel missing and your oral hygiene habits. In some instances, translucent teeth are unavoidable. If you can manage the causes of this condition then you should. Maintaining good oral health habits can help protect your teeth from decay.
Once tooth enamel is damaged, it cannot be brought back. However, weakened enamel can be restored to some degree by improving its mineral content. Although toothpastes and mouthwashes can never “rebuild” teeth, they can contribute to this remineralization process.
There are several treatment options for translucent teeth. While there are some products on the market that claim to restore your enamel, unfortunately, this isn't possible. Once your enamel is gone, you can't get it back.
In many cases translucent teeth can be repaired by a high performance enamel repair toothpaste which helps replace lost tooth minerals and thicken the enamel.
As the enamel continues to erode, your teeth might turn a gray or yellowish color. If your teeth change shape, it's a good indicator that you have enamel damage. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial.
Symptoms of thin enamel can be a translucent or clear appearance, white spots, tiny grooves or pits, sensitivity to hot or cold food/drink, tooth decay, and cavities.
Worn and missing enamel leaves your teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay. Small cavities are no big deal, but if left to grow and fester, they can lead to infections such as painful tooth abscesses. Worn enamel also impacts the appearance of your smile.
As the enamel erodes and more dentin is exposed, the teeth may appear yellow. Cracks and chips. The edges of teeth become more rough, irregular, and jagged as enamel erodes. Smooth, shiny surfaces on the teeth, a sign of mineral loss.
Tooth decay may not cause any pain. However, if you have dental caries you might have: toothache – either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause. tooth sensitivity – you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet.
One of the earliest signs of enamel erosion is sensitivity. You may notice pain or discomfort when eating something sweet, hot or cold. This is because as the enamel erodes away the more sensitive dentin is exposed. Another symptom is a change in the color of your teeth.
One treatment option is repairing tooth enamel with dental bonding. Dental bonding involves applying a dental resin to the tooth surface to protect damaged areas and restore the intact surface. Enamel damage is usually experienced on the front of your teeth.
It could be the result of an acidic diet, medication side reactions or just vigorous brushing. Dry mouth, low salivary flow, diet high in sugar and starches, bruxism and friction, acid reflux disease, gastrointestinal problems and even genetics could also be blamed for enamel erosion.
Enameloplasty is one of the least expensive and invasive cosmetic dentistry procedures, ranging from around $50 to $300 per tooth on average. This cost can vary based on how extensive the reshaping needs to be, the location of the tooth or teeth being contoured, your geographical location, and your overall oral health.
The Solution to Thinning Enamel
While conventional whitening treatments may no longer be able to give the smile you want, there are still options available to you. Dentists can place cosmetic veneers and crowns over your teeth, giving them a much whiter, more attractive appearance.
Early tooth decay may look like a white spot on the tooth. If the decay is more advanced, it may appear as a darker spot or a hole in the tooth. The dentist can also check the teeth for soft or sticky areas or take an x-ray, which can show decay.
A non-alcoholic mouthwash such as Pronamel Daily Mouthwash, however, offers several benefits for your smile. Developed with dentists, Pronamel Daily Mouthwash can help protect your teeth against tooth decay* by supporting the re-hardening of tooth enamel.