The teeth that appear on the incisal edge, translucent teeth, are those that have suffered deterioration. They have lost a piece of hard dental tissue called enamel. This situation, which occurs in different types of patients, can cause aesthetic problems when laughing or speaking in public. If you’re unsure whether your teeth are translucent or are wearing down too quickly, you can consult your dentist, who will be the best person to advise you on possible solutions.
Causes of Translucent teeth
Several factors influence tooth enamel and can cause its deterioration and subsequent transformation into translucent teeth:
- Acidic substances present in the mouth
- bruxism
- Consumption of drugs
- Abuse of blocking substances
- enamel defect
Translucent teeth enamel
Sometimes, patients report that the edge of their teeth, especially the upper incisors, is taking on a more translucent coloration with shades between gray and blue as if it had a glassy appearance. This problem can manifest itself over the years and increase with the use of acidic substances. However, certain patients suffer from this problem due to poor or very thin enamel. Therefore, the dentist must know how to prevent the risks of fractures of these more sensitive edges since patients with a translucent incisal edge have the greatest breakages or dental injuries.
Solutions
Depending on the degree of abrasion of the teeth, the dentist chooses the most recommended therapy in each case. There are various approaches to solving this issue, such as metal-porcelain covers or more aesthetic and conservative materials like lithium disilicate. You can also opt for ceramic veneers, composite veneers, or reconstructions of the incisal edge, among others. Once the dentist discovers the cause, she can choose the most appropriate therapy for each patient.
Be careful with blockers to whiten teeth
In recent years, the use of blockers has become more common, either at home or in the office. An increase in the problem of the transparent incisal edge has been noticed precisely due to its use. The blocking agent used for clinical teeth whitening does not harm enamel, but it cannot be used more times than recommended. It is not recommended to use home remedies or buy bleaching substances without first consulting the dentist because there are bleaches on the market that are too aggressive and toothpaste with too fine abrasive particles.
Tips to prevent translucent teeth
- Limit consumption of acidic foods and drinks, such as those containing citric acids or carbonated drinks.
- In cases of severe erosions, drinking acidic drinks through a straw is advisable to limit contact with the teeth.
- Consume a glass of milk or cheese at the end of meals because they counteract the acid in the mouth after eating.
- You can also chew a sugar-free gum that stimulates saliva production to nullify the acids produced at the end of meals.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to mineralize the teeth, and always under the advice of your dentist.
Conclusions
Translucent teeth can be a problem, but today, there are ways to solve it and limit the evolution of enamel wear. The dentist will explain which foods and drinks are best to avoid in case of having too thin enamel or dental erosion problems. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux will also have to control this pathology to safeguard the health of their teeth. Likewise, it is very important to try to reduce the stress level of patients who suffer from bruxism. The dentist usually advises using a night splint to protect the teeth in these cases.
Click here to read more informative and interesting articles.
