Translucent teeth, also known as transparent teeth, indicate that an individual has enamel loss. When enamel loss occurs, the affected teeth can look see-through towards the bottom portion. This dental issue can lead to discoloration and even chips in the teeth over time.

Enamel functions as a coat that protects your teeth. But, the enamel will gradually break down due to things like certain health conditions and certain foods and drinks you consume regularly.

What Causes Translucent Teeth?

Not everyone will have translucent teeth. However, certain factors contribute to an individual developing this dental condition. Here are a few factors to consider.

Acidic Foods and Drinks: Regular consumption of acidic foods and drinks can speed up enamel erosion.
Frequent Vomiting: Vomiting frequently due to conditions such as bulimia, alcoholism, and acute conditions can erode the enamel.
Acid Reflux: Being exposed to stomach acid can potentially cause the erosion of enamel.

Available Treatments

If you have transparent teeth, it’s important to know that you have options. Your dentist will recommend a professional treatment depending on the severity of your enamel loss.

Here are some available treatment options.

Bonding

This is a process that involves applying a material called composite resin to the affected tooth or teeth. Bonding is a great dental treatment that treats cosmetic issues related to transparent teeth and acts as a protective layer to prevent further damage.

Crowns

If you’re someone with extremely thin, weak, or chipping transparent teeth, a crown may be the best option for you. Dental crowns provide a layer of protection and structure, as it is added to the top of your teeth.

If you’re concerned about your teeth looking as natural as possible, consider porcelain crowns if it is within your budget.

Veneers

Another option that might be available to you is veneers. Similar to crowns, veneers function as a protective layer that covers your teeth.

This is a great option for individuals with mild to moderate tooth damage. It’s also a great way to prevent further enamel erosion.

Home Remedies

Getting professional treatment may not be in everyone’s budget. The good news is there are a few home remedies you can try if your condition is mild.

Keep in mind that once enamel is lost, it clinically cannot be restored. However, treatments and some home remedies can prevent further damage.

With that said, the best way to prevent enamel loss at home is by adopting better habits that may replenish minerals in your enamel. For instance, it’s critical to increase water consumption, add probiotic-rich yogurt to your diet, and drink lactose-free milk to boost calcium. In addition, consider switching to a toothpaste that contains fluoride and focuses on remineralizing the enamel.

Here at Mountain View Dental, we pride ourselves on providing a comfortable and professional environment for our patients. If you have questions about treatment options for translucent teeth or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.

There are so many journeys in your baby’s first year of life, and getting their first tooth is certainly one of the biggest. After all, who can resist the adorable, gummy smile of a growing infant? Although your baby’s smile will grow to be unique and adorable, the process can be quite the process for both you and your baby. We asked the same questions that many new parents have when dealing with their baby’s first upcoming teeth: is my baby teething or is it something else? What should I expect when my baby gets their first teeth (or tooth)? When will I be able to sleep through the night again?

Let’s take a look at 3 helpful facts about your baby’s first teeth!

Most Babies Will Develop Their First Teeth at 6mo. – 12 mo. Old

There is a wide range of times when you can expect the first tooth to appear. Some babies may not get their first tooth until after their first birthday! Typically though, when your baby hits 3 months of age, they will start exploring the world using their mouth. This will mean picking things up like toys, car keys, and food to have it in their mouth. They will have increased production of saliva and will even place their hands in their mouth.

Many parents will question if their baby is teething, but their first tooth usually won’t appear for another 3-5 months. The first teeth to appear are usually the bottom two teeth called Central Incisors with the top two popping in shortly after. Lateral Incisors (the teeth directly next to the middle two) will probably come in next at around 9-13 months of age. Parents can rest assured that their baby will more than likely have all their baby teeth grow in by the time they’re age 3.

Give Your Baby Teething Aides to Help with Teething Pain

Parents can help alleviate their baby’s teething pain with simple solutions. Massaging their sore gums with a clean finger, giving them a cold washcloth, or a solid teething toy can help soothe your baby’s teething pain. This pain is felt because the baby’s teeth are breaching the gums to pop out and grow.
Thankfully, teething shouldn’t cause babies too much discomfort, however, it’s easy to tell when a baby is teething. Some signs to look out for include discomfort (audibly or visually) in the area where the tooth is breaching, gums tend to be swollen and tender, and the baby will begin to drool more than usual.

A baby’s body temperature may also rise slightly when teething; however, this could be a sign of an underlying illness as well. To make sure your baby is going through teething properly and safely, talk with your pediatrician regularly about a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) or if the baby is old enough, ibuprofen (e.g., Advil, Motrin). When you consider medication for your baby, be sure to ask your pediatrician for the right dose amount based on your child’s age and weight.

Interestingly enough, many children will show no discomfort at all when their baby teeth come in! Whatever the case may be, make sure you’re making routine visits to your dentist so that teeth come in accordingly.

Introducing Fluoride to Your Baby’s Diet

Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities from forming by strengthening and rebuilding the enamel of teeth. Thankfully, fluoride is often added to tap water to help fight tooth decay. Talk to your dentist about starting your baby on small amounts of tap water (or water with fluoride in it) in a drink cup as you introduce them to solid foods. Always check with your pediatrician to see what fluoride are best for your baby. Sometimes, they can recommend a fluoride supplement if your tap water is not sufficient.

Before 6 months of age, babies still being breastfed or formula-fed do not need fluoride in their diet yet. It is only safe to use fluoridated water to mix in with the formula if your baby if your baby’s pediatrician or dentist approves it as there is a small risk of “fluorosis.” Fluorosis is faint streaking marks on the teeth that happen when young toddlers consume too much fluoride from any source over a period of time. Make an appointment with your baby’s dentist to avoid fluorosis and map out the best possible plan for treating your baby’s first teeth.

Did these 3 Facts About Your Baby’s First Teeth Suprise You?

Baby teeth are crucial to your child’s oral health and development. They will help him or her to chew, begin speaking and smiling. Baby teeth are basically placeholders in the jaws for later adult teeth that are developing under their gums. When a baby tooth is not taken care of, the permanent teeth can shift into empty spaces and cause other adult teeth to push against each other as they come in. Having crowded teeth or teeth that are crooked is a horrible way to start your baby’s life. This is why starting your baby off with good oral health can help start their teeth on the correct growth path for years to come.

To schedule your baby’s first dental visit, contact our professional and pleasant staff here at Mountain View Dental. If you have questions or want to schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 385-324-3557!

Are you concerned about the color of your teeth? In this article, you will learn about the common causes of discoloration. This occurs when the dentine or enamel becomes stained or discolored. The good news is, the oral problem is preventable. When the teeth are discolored, you will notice stains on the enamel, ranging from white streaks to brown spots.

A dental expert can diagnose discoloration after conducting an examination. You may not know the statistics about stained teeth, but you care about how white your teeth are. Nowadays, a shiny smile is a social status symbol. As a result, the demand for whitening dental procedures and whitening products has been on the rise. Here are the six most common causes of tooth discoloration:

Dark Foods and Drinks

Consuming some dark foods and drinks increases the possibility of discoloration. If you notice stains on your teeth, acidic foods such as tomatoes and citrus fruits may be the causes. Although they’re rich in nutrients, the foods are likely to erode the enamel.

Coffee is also a common culprit for discoloration. When you drink coffee, use a to-go lid and not a straw. This will help you to prevent an acidic-environment situation that the drink causes.

Tobacco Use

This is one of the products that can stain your teeth within a short period. Your smile is usually the first thing people notice when you meet for the first time. As a result, nobody would want to have a stained smile. Regular smoking will make the teeth turn yellow or brown. The more you smoke, the more you increase the risk of teeth discoloration.

Medications and Diseases

Certain medical conditions and drugs can wear down or damage the enamel and increase the risk of staining. For example, diabetes, anemia, and oral cancer harm the health and appearance of the teeth. Studies have also shown that radiation and chemotherapy affect the color of the teeth. Some antibiotics have also been major causes of the oral problem.

Genetics

Some people are born with whiter teeth than others. Research has also shown that the shade may vary from one tooth to another. The natural tooth color depends on the structure and the density of the tissues that make them. Some people’s teeth are more prone to staining than others. This proves that some genetic factors affect the teeth color.

Trauma

This is one of the reasons for tooth discoloration that’s outside of your control. Some of the common causes of trauma include car accidents and falls. If the accidents occur, your teeth may turn dark due to the damage inside the teeth. Contact a dental professional to examine and monitor the trauma. Although you cannot avoid some accidents, you can take some precautionary measures such as wearing protective gear.

Exposure to Too Much Fluoride

Fluoride is a mineral that prevents cavities through mineralization and increasing the resistance of the enamel to acidic conditions. It is added to drinking water and a major ingredient in oral products. It’s recognized as one of the most effective products for promoting oral health. However, too much of it can discolor your smile.

Mountain View Dental Can Help

We have a team of experienced dental professionals who are always ready to serve our clients. You just need to visit our comfortable and professional office to get the help you need. After an examination, our dentists will recommend the best solution for discoloration. Contact us today!

Everyone knows that brushing your teeth is incredibly important to your overall dental and physical care, but what often flies under the radar is the overall importance of what is in your toothpaste. Any old toothpaste won’t do, and that’s why it is so important to always look closer when making this important dental purchase. As such, here is what to look for in toothpaste.

Flouride

Fluoride is a very common substance that is vitally important when it comes to dental care. It is a natural mineral that has been put into public water for years and is considered to be responsible by many for a significant drop in tooth decay over the past five decades.

Fluoride is important for your teeth because it can help to repair damaged tooth enamel, reverse tooth decay, and strengthen your teeth. As such, when purchasing toothpaste, always make sure that your toothpaste has fluoride.

Flavoring

Yes, flavoring matters. The good news is that, by and large, it won’t impact your tooth health or the overall effectiveness of the toothpaste. However, it matters in terms of how it will impact your ability to stick to a brushing schedule and keep a good brushing habit.

As we all probably know, brushing your teeth is a good habit to get into. As such, you want to make it as easy as possible for you to brush your teeth. Selecting a flavor you like can be critical to that goal. As such, don’t buy just any old toothpaste. Select one that you will be more likely to use regularly. This will make developing a tooth brushing habit much easier.

Whitening Agents

Many types of toothpaste advertise themselves as being helpful when it comes to whitening your teeth. Of course, this is a relatively common use of toothpaste, and kinds of toothpaste have advertised themselves as whitening agents for years.

However, you must be aware of whether or not your toothpaste acts as a whitening agent, as many people do not want this type of toothpaste. This is because some whitening agents can hurt sensitive teeth, causing pain and discomfort. There are special kinds of toothpaste out there that are meant to be used for whitening by people with sensitive teeth, but again, you have to pay attention to what you buy before you make a purchase.

As such, only buy a whitening agent if it is something you want and you know won’t bother your teeth.

If you have any questions about what to look for in toothpaste, or if you require dental care and are located in the area of Pleasant View, Utah, make sure to visit Mountain View Dental. Our comfortable and professional office can help you with any tooth problems you have. Just pick up the phone and call today at (385) 324-3557.

While most kinds of toothpaste can help reduce tartar, prevent cavities, and improve gum health, some are arguably better than others. This is especially true when it comes to fluoridated toothpaste versus non-fluoridated toothpaste. For those who may not be as familiar with fluoride, it is a naturally-occurring mineral that not only protects against cavities but also aids in repairing early-stage tooth decay as well. Fluoride is in our drinking water and many of the foods that we eat; however, the highest concentration is found in fluoride-containing toothpaste. Even though non-fluoridated toothpaste can remove tartar, freshen breath, and whiten teeth as well, fluoridated toothpaste is a better choice for all-around better oral health.

HOW MUCH FLUORIDE IS NEEDED FOR HEALTHIER TEETH?

According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research, fluoride-containing toothpaste needs to have a minimum fluoride concentration of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) to protect against cavities and to undo early-stage tooth decay. That said, most of the popular toothpaste brands on the market contain somewhere between 1,350 and 1,450 ppm of sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate, both of which can contribute to healthier, stronger teeth.

WHAT MAKES FLUORIDE SO EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING ORAL HEALTH?

Why You Should Look for Toothpaste That Contains Fluoride

Brushing twice per day with toothpaste that contains fluoride can help make enamel, the hard surface layer of the teeth, less susceptible to the acids and bacteria in our mouth that can cause cavities. It can also remineralize tooth enamel that has already been decalcified by plaque acids and other oral bacteria. Fluoride-containing toothpaste also prevents cavities and improves oral health by contributing to the following:

Stimulating fluorapatite production (stronger and more acid-resistant enamel)
Slowing or preventing the growth of oral bacteria
Preventing cavity-causing bacteria from bonding to teeth

IS FLUORIDE SAFE?

Although there have been claims made about the ill-effects associated with using toothpaste that contains fluoride, such as reduced bone density and an increased risk for developing certain cancers, most are unsubstantiated. Also, most dentists and hygienists are proponents of brushing twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste for better oral health. What’s more, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has named fluoride as one of the greatest modern-day achievements when it comes to maintaining good oral health.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOURIDE-CONTAINING TOOTHPASTE

When it comes to choosing the right fluoride-containing toothpaste, it often comes down to a matter of personal preference as most popular brands contain some degree of fluoride, especially those with the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance. Nonetheless, you will still want to ensure that the toothpaste you choose has a fluoride concentration of at least 1,000 ppm.

In summation, brushing your teeth twice per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride can go a long way toward lowering your risk of developing cavities and improving your overall oral health. However, it can’t repair large cavities or reverse other serious dental problems. That said, if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, you’re encouraged to schedule an appointment with Mountain View Dental today.

Medical experts have understood for years that fluoride supports the health of the teeth and the oral cavity in general. Ironically, fluoride comes from an element called fluoride, which is a greenish gas. Fluoride is almost never found by itself in nature because it is so reactive that a fluoride atom attacks nearly every atom that comes near it. Fluoride is even known to react with glass. But when it forms a compound with another element it becomes stable and often helpful. Here are three benefits of fluoride.

It Helps Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay happens when the enamel of the tooth starts to deteriorate due to plaque, a sticky film full of bacteria. The bacteria feed on the food that lingers on the teeth, especially if it’s sugary. As it eats, it secretes acids that eat away at the tooth enamel, which leads to cavities. Fluorides bind with the enamel, which strengthens it. It does this because tooth enamel is made up of a molecule called hydroxylapatite, a molecule made of hydrogen, oxygen, calcium and phosphorus. The hydrogen and oxygen form a hydroxyl group. This group is responsible for preventing acid from destroying the enamel. Fluorides can replace this molecule and take over its job of protecting the enamel.

It Helps Remineralize Tooth Enamel

Tooth enamel is demineralized and remineralized all the time. This is why dentists recommend that people do not brush their teeth immediately water eating but wait about a half an hour while the tooth enamel remineralizes.

It Supports the Health of Baby Teeth

Some people believe that baby teeth aren’t really important, since they are supposed to fall out anyway. However, baby teeth are not only place holders for adult teeth, but they can affect the health of the child if they are not cared for properly and develop cavities. If the baby tooth is lost prematurely, it can cause the adult teeth to come in crowded or crooked. This is why fluorides are important to the health of baby teeth.

How to Get the Benefits of Fluoride

Fluoride is found throughout nature, even in water that has not been artificially fluoridated. It’s also found in foods such as shellfish, grapes, potatoes, tea and coffee. It can be had in other beverages made from fluoridated water.

Dentists recommend that people brush twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste and rinse with a fluoridated mouthwash. Toddlers can also have their teeth gently brushed with a fluoridated toothpaste, but they’ll only need a bare jot of toothpaste on the brush. Children who are younger than six shouldn’t use mouthwash, however.

When people go to their dentist for their yearly or twice yearly checkup, the dentist can place a gel or foam right on their teeth. Children who are really fluoride deficient can take supplements. These need to be prescribed by the dentist.

Call Mountain View Dental for More Information

If you want to know more about the benefits of fluoride for you or your family, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our dentists. Our number here is 385-324-3557.

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What Causes Translucent Teeth?