See-Through Teeth? See Your Dentist Urgently

Dentist Blog

Your teeth may not be telling you the whole truth—since you can see right through them (almost literally). It can be disturbing to notice that your teeth are progressively becoming more transparent, allowing you to partially see through them. What could be causing such a bizarre phenomenon?

Partially Translucent

Teeth are partially translucent, and this is why the chosen material for dental restoration is so important. Small patches of tooth-colored composite resin are used to treat cavities—and this is what a dental filling is. Larger patches of a tooth's surface can be covered with composite resin too, and this is called dental bonding. There are also indirect larger dental restorations, manufactured and then applied to your teeth, as opposed to being applied directly to your teeth. These include solutions such as dental crowns or veneers, which are typically made of porcelain. 

Tooth Enamel

Restorations are used to cover weak, deficient, or missing tooth enamel. Enamel is the outermost layer of a tooth. It's robust, but can still corrode, and this corrosion is tooth decay. Decay doesn't always appear as you might expect. It's not always the telltale dark patches appearing on the tooth's surface. Teeth that are becoming increasingly translucent can be experiencing enamel erosion—which is likely to be more prominent around the biting surfaces of the teeth. However, as mentioned, your teeth may not be telling you the whole truth—yet.

A Warning Sign (Or Not)

In many instances, the erosion of enamel is accompanied by an increase in sensitivity and discomfort. This is a warning sign that cannot be ignored, but not everyone gets this warning. Be assured, your teeth are in trouble, and although you may not yet be experiencing physical discomfort, it will happen if your tooth enamel continues to corrode. Teeth will become increasingly sensitive, and will ultimately become quite painful. You need to make an appointment with your dentist.

At the Dentist's Office

Your dentist will recommend making a few lifestyle changes—the acidic nature of your diet (containing an excessive amount of sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates) can be accelerating your enamel loss. Intensive fluoride treatments can help to reverse some of this loss by remineralizing your teeth, but missing enamel must be covered, and this can involve dental bonding, or in severe cases—a dental crown.

Healthy teeth should be white or off-white. When you can partially see through them, it's time to see your dentist. For more information, contact a dentist near you.

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