Transparent teeth are just one sign of enamel erosion, which is caused by: Acidic foods and drinks. Consuming highly acidic foods and beverages regularly may speed up enamel erosion, leading to transparent teeth.
This is because teeth can become translucent due to the effects of enamel erosion, which is a slow, gradual process. As the enamel wears down and becomes thinner, it begins to lose its natural color. This allows the underlying dentin layer to show through.
Translucent-looking teeth indicate that your teeth have lost some of the enamel that covers the surface of the tooth, which can expose underlying dentin. Enamel that has eroded cannot regrow nor can a dentist encourage it to grow back.
The answer is: no. It isn't normal to have translucent teeth, and if you do, you should consult with your dentist in order to prevent the condition from worsening and preserve your oral health. Translucent teeth mean that your teeth have lost enamel. This can cause your teeth to be see-through on edges.
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.
Unfortunately, there's no way to “restore” tooth enamel. Enamel doesn't have living cells, which means there is no way it can repair itself. Any damage done to the enamel on your teeth is permanent.
Few people believe that when you put teeth whitening strips or trays in your mouth for a long time than required, it can lead to the erosion of your tooth enamel, and hence, your teeth appear translucent. But the reality is that teeth whitening procedure does not make teeth look translucent.
While it's true that bonding is a great way to repair translucent teeth, it is also an effective way to repair other minor dental issues, such as cracked or chipped teeth, misaligned teeth, or teeth with wide gaps in between.
What happens if enamel is gone? Tooth enamel erosion exposes the inner layers of your teeth to open air and the foods and drinks you consume. This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities. In addition, tooth enamel loss can make your teeth more sensitive to heat, cold and sweets.
Try non-acidic foods: Certain foods are good for your enamel. Many types of fruits and vegetables, dairy products such as milk, and foods or drinks containing fluoride – notably spinach, grapes and black tea – will be useful to naturally restore enamel.
Unfortunately, tooth enamel starts to demineralize, or erode, around a pH level of 5.5 or lower. This ultimately means that the more acidic foods and beverages consumed, the more enamel erosion that occurs over time. As the enamel continues to wear down, it will eventually become translucent.
Lack of vitamin D can lead to dental caries, and weak or brittle teeth that easily break, chip, and crack. A controlled study made up of 2,827 children found a reduction of 47% in cavities of the children who received vitamin D supplements.
As the enamel erodes more, your teeth may appear grayish or yellow. Your teeth may begin to appear rounded, develop ridges, and often the gaps between teeth will become more substantial. Eventually, you may notice cracks in the teeth or experience loss of tooth material.
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.
If you have translucent teeth, you need to see a dentist for treatment. For slightly thin enamel, your dentist may simply recommend fluoride treatments. These treatments expose your teeth to a concentrated fluoride solution, which can help strengthen the enamel that remains.
Even though enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, it can still become worn and chipped away, a process called enamel erosion. Unlike a broken bone that can heal itself, enamel has no living cells, meaning once the damage is done, it's permanent.
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.