Have you looked in the mirror while flossing or brushing to notice that the tips of your teeth are vaguely transparent? Given how normal teeth are opaque and we are unable to be see through them, it’s rational to be alarmed by noticing transparent teeth. While this a more common occurrence than you may think, translucent teeth can definitely pose a threat to both your oral and overall health. Below, we explain what causes transparent teeth, debilitating health symptoms that it can lead to, and how to reverse the effect of being able to see through your teeth.

What Causes Teeth to be See Through?

The strong outer layer of a tooth is called the enamel, which is what protects your teeth from cracking or breaking. Teeth become transparent when this enamel wears away from your teeth so that the sensitive dentin layer is exposed. This process can be caused by the following factors:

• Acidic Drinks & Foods: Consuming and drinking highly acidic nutrition on a regular basis, such as sodas, candy, coffee, and more, speeds up enamel erosion and leads to translucent teeth.
• Dry Mouth: Your teeth may become see through after long periods of dry mouth.
• Acid Reflux: Long-term exposure to stomach acid may wear down tooth enamel over time. 
• Enamel Hypoplasia: A genetic condition that causes a lack of mineralization, which is an important component of sustaining teeth enamel.
• Regular Vomiting: The act of frequently vomiting can wear away tooth enamel over time.
• Celiac Disease: An autoimmune disease where consuming gluten leads to intestinal damage, as well as transparent teeth.

What Are Symptoms of See Through Teeth?

Dental translucency results in several associated symptoms beyond just see through teeth, which includes:

• Tooth Sensitivity: When your enamel is worn down, your teeth become sensitive to hot, cold, acidic, or sweet foods and beverages. Consult with your dentist as soon as you notice this painful symptom.
• Canker Sores: These are small painful ulcers that form inside your mouth that also leads to transparent teeth.
• Dry Mouth: Both a cause and a symptom of transparent teeth, dry mouth is a condition where your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Saliva is crucial to maintaining oral health and neutralizing harmful acids that can otherwise erode bacteria.
• Bruxism: Defined as chronic teeth grinding, bruxism is a enamel-eroding condition where people grind and clench their teeth.

How Can I Treat My See Through Teeth?

Unfortunately, tooth enamel can’t regenerate or repair itself naturally. Fortunately, there are several options available to prevent further enamel deterioration, restore the appearance of your teeth, and enhance your smile. These prevention and treatment options include:

• Refrain From Triggers: Cut highly acidic foods and beverages from your daily diet.
• Bonding for Translucent Teeth: Being a solution for how your teeth appear, teeth bonding is a minimally invasive treatment where a composite resin is hardened onto your teeth for a natural and opaque appearance.
• Dental Crowns: These are custom made caps that are an excellent solution to protect the remaining enamel on your teeth. Dental crowns enhance both the appearance of your teeth and improves oral functionality.
• Veneers: Dental veneers are a thin resin that bonds to the front of your teeth to display an improved oral appearance.

GumChucks for Protection

If your teeth haven’t begun to show transparent signs, the best preventable measure is to regularly floss and brush. Flossing is the only way to remove this tartar from between your teeth and keep plaque out of hard-to-reach places. Some modern flossing accessories, GumChucks being the prime example, are specifically designed to accomplish C-Shape flossing. Unlike one-piece flossers that hold the floss in a rigid position, GumChucks’ two-handle device gives you better leverage, letting you control the tension of the floss and allowing you to effectively clean the sides of each tooth. The handles make it easier for everyone to floss, especially those with limited dexterity, with the added bonus of never having to stick your fingers in your mouth!

GumChucks’ design ensures a flossing experience that’s faster, easier, and more effective than competing flossers or traditional floss. Our two handles with disposable floss allow you to comfortably reach all your teeth, even those in the back, while wrapping the floss around each tooth. This creates the vital “C-Shape” necessary to get below the gum line and effectively clean each tooth, which prevents the onset of transparent teeth.