In general, your teeth should look opaque in color. This is due to our enamel, or the hard, outer layer of our teeth that provides protection against outside forces. Due to certain conditions or circ*mstances, our once opaque teeth can appear translucent or thinner. In some cases, a person is born with teeth already like this. It’s important to have this examined by your Chino Hills dentist. Thinner teeth are often more susceptible to tooth decay and tooth loss. Let’s take a closer look at thin enamel.
Causes of Thin Enamel
Thinner, translucent looking teeth can be caused by a few different situations. Sometimes Celiac disease is the culprit, causing poor enamel development. Another main cause is a condition called enamel hypoplasia, which is an enamel defect that is present during the development of teeth. This condition is often caused by genetics or environmental factors. With this condition, there is a significant decrease in minerals in your tooth enamel, which then cause the tooth to look translucent.
Another cause of “thinning” or translucent teeth is acid erosion. Consuming a high amount of acidic foods or drinks for a long period of time can cause your enamel to erode and thus become thinner.
Symptoms
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.
Preventing Thin Teeth
The prevention of thinning teeth depends on the cause. For Celiac disease or enamel hypoplasia, there isn’t much you can do to prevent thinning teeth from occurring. Enamel hypoplasia can also be caused by a number of things such as vitamin A, C, or D deficiency, Usher syndrome, drug use during pregnancy, premature birth, insufficient maternal care, etc.
Acid erosion, however, can be controlled by you. Reduce the number of acidic food or drinks you consume each day. Stay away from soda, acidic fruit juices, coffee, and even cigarettes. For some, it may be very difficult to change this part of their diet. At the very least, rinse your mouth with mouthwash after consuming something acidic. You can also try to counteract the acid with calcium building foods such as yogurt and other dairy products. These foods will help rebuild the minerals your enamel needs to remain strong and opaque. If you’re trying to brush your teeth after consuming something acidic, wait at least 30 minutes before you do so because it could actually damage your enamel.
Treatment
There are several ways to treat thinning teeth. The first step starts with you providing your teeth with proper at-home dental hygiene. Visiting the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings is also vital to your enamel health. If your teeth have already thinned, there are a few treatments that help restore the enamel.
Dental bonding, a treatment that involves the application of a composite resin to your teeth, is one option. Veneers are another option for those who are interested.
If you’re walking through life with translucent teeth, teeth with white spots, or suffering from the sensitivity of hot and cold foods, there’s a way out. For years, dentists have applied bonding and veneers to help those with thinning teeth carry on with their lives in confidence. Enamel is one of the most essential parts of our teeth, which is why it is of utmost importance that we take good care of it. Call Dental Care of Chino Hills at 909-310-2051 or request an appointment online today.
