Can Whitening My Teeth Make Them Appear Translucent? (2024)

FAQs

Can Whitening My Teeth Make Them Appear Translucent? ›

Whitening doesn't typically make teeth appear translucent and if it does, it's not permanent. I suspect that you're grinding your teeth in a protrusive grinding motion to the point where you are edging the incisal tips, which are the biting edges of teeth.

Transparent or translucent teeth indicate enamel loss. This may be caused by consuming acidic foods and beverages, acid reflux, and frequent vomiting. A coat of enamel protects your teeth. However, enamel may gradually break down due to certain health conditions and the foods and drinks you consume.

Veneers: One of the best restorative dental treatments to get rid of translucent teeth is to have veneers placed on the front side of your natural teeth. When veneers are placed correctly, they will improve the appearance of your teeth and protect them from further erosion.

Post-Whitening Dehydration

As these agents work to eliminate stains, they also extract moisture from the enamel, causing a temporary loss of water content. This dehydration leaves behind a porous and less mineralized surface, causing white spots on teeth after whitening.

This softens tooth enamel and dehydrates it, often causing demineralization in the process. Dehydration is part of the process as the bleaching gel permeates through the enamel of your teeth to reach the dentin layer below, where the staining and discolouration have occurred over time.

Whitening doesn't typically make teeth appear translucent and if it does, it's not permanent. I suspect that you're grinding your teeth in a protrusive grinding motion to the point where you are edging the incisal tips, which are the biting edges of teeth.

We all want a white brighter smile. But this begs the question “does teeth whitening damage the enamel?” The answer is no. While there may sometimes be side effects, whitening treatment is safe on tooth enamel. The process of tooth whitening is essentially the tooth will become dehydrated, meaning dried out.

Your dentist may recommend a post-whitening fluoride treatment, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Fluoride works to restore minerals onto the tooth's surfaces after dental procedures like tooth whitening. This treatment helps with preventing future re-staining and long-term tooth sensitivity.

One of the most common side effects is tooth sensitivity, which can occur during or after treatment. Overuse or misuse of teeth whitening products can also lead to enamel damage, gum irritation, and discoloration. Additionally, some types of tooth discoloration may not respond well to teeth whitening treatments.

Rehydrating Teeth After Whitening

After your procedure, your teeth will naturally rehydrate themselves in two to seven days. However, there are things you can do to help your teeth during this time. Drink plenty of water – water naturally hydrates every part of your body, including your teeth.

Can teeth whitening go wrong? ›

What are the risks of teeth whitening? No matter what treatment you use, there's a chance your gums will be sensitive to the chemicals used in teeth whitening, particularly if you already have sensitive teeth. There's also a chance of burns to gums and some of the whitening kits used at home can harm tooth enamel.

As the acids leach away minerals from the tooth enamel, they leave behind chalky, white patches. These white spot lesions, as they're known, can eventually turn into cavities.

You can't brush your way out of a genetic disorder, but if you are developing translucent teeth from acid in what you consume, you can fight it there. Rinsing your mouth with water or mouthwash after exposure to any acidic foods can help to reduce the amount of damage that they do to your teeth.

Treatment of tooth enamel loss depends on the problem. Sometimes tooth bonding is used to protect the tooth and increase cosmetic appearance. If the enamel loss is significant, the dentist may recommend covering the tooth with a crown or veneer. The crown may protect the tooth from further decay.

The normal aging process can also cause the enamel on teeth to become transparent. Teeth wear down over time from everyday activities such as chewing and brushing, which can lead to a thinning or loss of enamel. Don't forget to schedule your routine teeth cleaning appointment, which can help slow the process!