Are Spaces Between My Teeth Bad?
Gaps or spaces between teeth, a condition known as diastema, can cause problems for your oral health and overall health. For adults, teeth spacing issues that are not corrected after adult teeth fully erupt can result in misaligned teeth; issues with biting, chewing, and swallowing; plaque buildup and bacterial growth; inflamed gums; periodontal disease; and tooth decay, loose teeth, and possible tooth loss. You may even experience self-esteem or confidence issues, which can make you feel embarrassed when you smile.
For young children, gaps are normal as baby teeth and permanent teeth fall out and grow in at different rates. Oftentimes, gaps resolve themselves when adult teeth come in. However, if gaps do not correct naturally, orthodontic intervention will likely be necessary.
What Causes Teeth Spacing?
When teeth do not grow in properly or are pushed out of alignment, teeth spacing—gaps between your teeth, either small or large—can become an issue. Some people have only one gap, commonly between their upper front teeth, while others can have gaps between several teeth.
Teeth spacing can be caused by several different health factors:
- Due to your natural skeletal development, your teeth simply grow in a certain way.
- Extra teeth in your mouth can push other teeth out of correct position.
- Missing teeth can create large gaps or cause other teeth to improperly fill gaps.
- Losing baby teeth too young can cause adult teeth to grow in misaligned.
- If you have small teeth, they may not occupy the proper amount of space in your jawbone.
- A large jawbone can create too much room for your teeth and cause gaps.
- A tongue that is too large causes the teeth to flare and creates spaces between teeth.
- Periodontal disease causes bone loss between teeth so that teeth shift improperly.
Additionally, the tissue connecting your upper lip to your gumline can grow too large between your front teeth. Teeth spacing can develop because the band of tissue can pull on your teeth and cause them to separate. Thumb-sucking in children or tongue thrust (improper swallowing) can push teeth out of alignment and cause teeth spacing over time.
What are Treatments for Teeth Spacing?
Whatever the cause, teeth spacing can be corrected through orthodontic intervention, or a combination of both orthodontic and prosthetic work:
- Braces are an effective method for correcting teeth spacing. Options for treatment with braces include metal, ceramic, and invisible aligners.
- Dental bonding can be used to fully close gaps caused by teeth spacing, especially when gaps are the result of having very small teeth. For dental bonding to be effective, your teeth must be properly positioned before your dentist can begin the bonding procedure. For best results, orthodontic treatment is usually required prior to bonding.
- Veneers are very thin tooth-colored plastic or porcelain shells that fit over your teeth. Your dentist will first remove a small amount of natural tooth material so the veneers can be properly applied.
- Retainers serve as a protective measure after orthodontic treatments. Your orthodontist will recommend either plastic or metal retainers that you will wear at night to prevent teeth spacing from recurring.
- Bonded retainers are another treatment option. Because gaps will reappear if not properly tended to after treatment, your orthodontist may recommend a bonded retainer (glued behind your teeth) to keep aligned teeth in place.
Clean, Properly Aligned Teeth for Good Overall Health
Gaps between teeth are treatable with orthodontic intervention, prosthetics, or both. Think of your mouth as the gateway to the rest of your body. Properly aligned teeth that are clean and healthy are essential to your overall health. If you have unwanted teeth spacing, talk with your dentist about options for correction.
Related Article: How Much Space Should There Be Between My Teeth?