The gap or space between the teeth is a condition called diastema. Gaps can form in any area in the mouth but are most noticeable in the front teeth. Gappy teeth fix procedures could include dental bonding, porcelain veneers, and orthodontic treatment. Boost your confidence with a great smile by getting dental treatments from professionals.

Causes Of Gappy Teeth

Teeth gaps do not have a specific root cause, but there are many contributing factors to consider. Listed below are the reasons why teeth gaps form.

• Teeth and jaw bone size. Gaps could form if the size of the teeth and jaw bone do not match. In most cases, the teeth are too small for the jaw bone.
• Genetics. Teeth gaps also run in the family, as a matter of fact, a huge rate of people with diastema has inherited the condition.
• Tissue overgrowth. Diastema could also occur if the tissue that borders the gum line and two upper front teeth are growing excessively. The overgrowth causes the teeth to be separated, hence, resulting in a teeth gap.
• Habits. Thumbsucking in children has been known to be one of the top reasons why teeth gap is prevalent in kids. When children suck their thumb, the front teeth receive pressure that leads to them being pulled forward.
• Swallowing reflex. Gaps in the teeth could also happen to adults due to their incorrect swallowing reflexes. Normally, the tongue stays in place on top of the mouth while swallowing, but some people tend to involuntarily push the front teeth.
• Gum infection. The gappy teeth could also be due to gum disease. When gum disease takes place, inflammation follows, this can significantly damage the gums and the tissues that support the teeth. Prior to tooth loss, gaps will form.

Ways To Fix Gappy Teeth

Braces are the most common and traditional dental treatment for gappy teeth. Thankfully, because of modern technology, dental professionals are now offering contemporary treatments with instant results.

Below are the most popular procedures for fixing teeth gaps:

1. Invisalign. Invisalign is a great alternative to braces. It can close the gaps of the teeth while improving the overall appearance and smile. Additionally, they are designed meticulously to provide natural solutions to dental problems.
2. Dental bonding. Dental bonding is a treatment that offers immediate results right after the procedure. This treatment uses a tooth-colored composite resin material that will be applied directly to the tooth. After shaping the material, a special light will be used to harden it. The great thing about dental bonding is that it gives out a very natural-looking output. No one will even notice that you are wearing a restoration.
3. Veneers and crowns. Veneers are thin shell-like materials made of porcelain that are attached to the front part of the teeth. Porcelain veneers can significantly change the looks and aesthetics of its wearer as it conceals the gap between the teeth. Crowns, on the other hand, are made to cover an entire tooth, the difference between the two is that crowns typically need a dental implant for support.
4. Dentures. Gaps can also be filled in by dentures. This dental restorative appliance comes in two options; partial and full dentures. Some people with missing teeth opt for dentures as they act as removable implants.
5. Dental implants. If you have missing teeth, implants are the best solution to restore the functions of the lost teeth. Nowadays many clinics have a software that can make the implant procedure digitally preview.

Health Risks Of Teeth Gaps

Minimal teeth gaps, in general, do not pose grave threats to dental health. But large gaps could put you at risk of several dental problems. Here is a list of the things to watch out for if you have big gaps between your teeth:

1. Tooth decay. Spaces and gaps give way to bacteria that cause tooth decay. Leaving these gaps untreated will eventually compromise your oral health. According to dentists, large gaps between teeth are open traps for plaque because food particles and debris have wider access to it. Once the spaces accumulate food particles and debris, harmful bacteria will start to dig in and tooth decay will follow.
2. Gum diseases. Due to plaque and tartar that continues on forming on the gaps and spaces, bacteria will keep on digging deeper until it reaches the gums. Dentists warn: this is a serious dental problem that requires immediate care as it can cause complete tooth loss. Moreover, if left neglected, bacteria can potentially spread and infect healthy teeth.
3. Damages to healthy teeth. Our set of teeth are designed to give support to each other. Losing one could put risk to all the remaining teeth are misalignment could happen. Moreover, big spaces could have a huge impact on our speech, biting, and chewing skills.
4. Headaches. If you are experiencing extreme headaches from time to time and you seem to figure out what causes it, you might want to consider your gappy teeth as the main reason. Misalignment could affect your jaw joints which are popularly know to cause headaches. Take this as a warning and bring yourself to the dentist immediately.
5. Lower self-esteem. Because of the unpleasant appearance of teeth gaps, your self-confidence could get affected as well. This is one of the most common dilemmas of people with spaces in their teeth. It may not be a huge deal to everyone but it could be a big downer most especially for people who value their aesthetics very much.