Have you ever heard that teeth are sometimes transparent? While teeth can be slightly translucent, see-through teeth may point to a problem that needs to be addressed by your dentist in Willowbrook. Let’s take a closer look.
Transparent teeth may be a sign of a bigger problem
Your teeth are protected by a thin coat of enamel. Healthy enamel is not transparent, even though some food particles or stains may indeed be slightly visible through a tooth in certain areas. When you spot see-through areas on your teeth, you are likely looking at areas where the enamel of your teeth has eroded. Unfortunately, enamel erosion can be quite problematic; this makes your teeth more vulnerable to decay and damage.
Common Causes of Enamel Erosion
Enamel erosion is a common problem among dental patients, even though a lot of patients do not understand what caused the problem. Some of the reasons you may have issues with enamel erosion include:
- Eating a lot of acidic foods – Several acidic foods can cause enamel erosion, such as citrus, fruit juices, soft drinks, and tea
- Having problems with acid reflux – Acid reflux, as well as problems that may cause frequent vomiting, leads to stomach acid affecting tooth enamel
- Dry mouth – Dry mouth can heighten the pH levels in your own saliva, which means your saliva can erode tooth enamel
- Enamel hypoplasia – Enamel hypoplasia is a lack of minerals when the teeth are in development; this is a genetic issue
What can you do for see-through teeth?
If you are seeing areas where your teeth look transparent, this is an issue to discuss with your dentist. Certain treatments may help with the building up of tooth enamel when the problem begins, but even more important, your teeth will need adequate attention to protect them from decay. Bonding, crowns, and even veneers may be something the dentist recommends.
Talk to a Willowbrook, IL Dentist for Help
In the end, problems with enamel erosion are behind most issues with transparency in teeth, and you should speak with a Willowbrook, IL dentist if you spot problems. Reach out to us at the Dentists of Hinsdale Lake to schedule an appointment.