How To Fix Gaps Between Your Teeth

Gaps or spaces between teeth are a medical condition known as diastema. They can occur anywhere in the mouth, but gaps are most common between the two front teeth. Gaps between teeth can vary in size and shape, and the condition can affect people of all ages.

Whilst a gap in the teeth isn’t usually a medical issue from a health perspective, it might lead to self-confidence or esteem issues. For example, a gap in front teeth is extremely visible, and you might want to get it fixed with dental treatment for a straighter, confident smile.

There can be various causes for gaps between the teeth, from genetics to bad habits when you were a child. However, what’s important is getting them fixed and understanding the different treatment options available. 

What Causes Gaps Between Teeth?

Diastema can be caused by a variety of different factors. It can be caused by genetics, bad habits during development, or even oral diseases. Here are some of the most common causes of gaps between the teeth:

Size of teeth and jaws

When teeth are too small for a person’s jawbone, they cause gaps in teeth. The size of your jawbone and teeth is typically determined by genetics, which means if you have diastema, it could be hereditary, meaning the condition often runs in families. 

Bad childhood habits

Thumb-sucking being bad for the mouth isn’t just an old wives tale. Bad oral habits, including thumb-sucking and dummy-sucking, cause gaps in teeth. This is because when a child sucks their thumb, it puts pressure on their two front teeth, which can cause a gap and pull their teeth forward. The thumb or dummy also stops the tongue from resting on the roof of the mouth. The correct position for the tongue at rest is to be on the root of your mouth (palate) to allow for natural positive craniofacial growth and nasal breathing. When the tongue is not able to rest on the palate, the palate collapses and becomes narrow and vaulted. This can have a negative impact on the room within your nasal cavity as well as resulting in a smaller dental arch, leaving less room for the teeth to fit. These things, with the help of the thumb or dummy, encourage the front teeth to pull further forward (as explained above).

If you’re a new parent and you’re concerned about your children’s oral habits, it’s never too late to talk to an oral health professional. We can help monitor your child’s tooth growth and prevent bad habits from forming that can contribute to conditions such as diastema. 

Gum disease

Teeth gaps can sometimes be caused by gum disease and poor oral health. For example, inflammation from an irritated or infected gum can cause bone loss. Your bone is the foundation of your teeth and supports them. If you suffer bone loss from gum disease, your teeth can start to shift.

Common signs of gum disease include red or swollen gums, loose teeth, bleeding, and ongoing pains. If you’re experiencing any symptoms, it’s important to go see an oral health professional.

Oversized Labial Frenum

The labial frenum is the oral soft tissue that extends from the inside of the upper lip to the gum above the upper front teeth. Usually, this tissue is normal and of no consequence. However, if it is larger or oversized, it will not allow normal closure of the front teeth, and a diastema will persist.

The Dangers of Gaps Between Your Teeth

Diastema isn’t always a health concern; however, depending on the cause, there can be dangers and issues in the long term. Here are a few of the long-term dangers a gap can cause:

• Depending on the severity and placement of the gaps in your teeth, they can lead to bite misalignment. This can cause your teeth to keep shifting further out of place and also lead to pain in the long run. If this is the case, there is usually another underlying issue, and finding a dentist who has an interest in airway management and TMJ dysfunction is important for diagnosis and treatment. 
• Research has shown that having a gap in your teeth can increase the risk of developing gum disease. Food is more likely to get caught in the gaps, promoting the spread and growth of bacteria. At Admire Dentistry, we educate our patients with bespoke Oral Hygiene Instruction to ensure optimal cleaning techniques.
• Although it is extremely rare, if a gap leads to a bacterial infection in the mouth region, it could enter the bloodstream and affect other organs. This is why periodic six-month exams and hygiene appointments are vital for oral health care.

If you’re concerned about any gaps in your teeth, book an appointment with our team, and we can check for any signs of gum disease or bad breath.

Self-esteem

It’s a common issue for diastema to lead to self-esteem issues and insecurity. While it doesn’t seem serious, it can cause problems in the long run, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, these days, a gap in the front teeth is considered beautiful and unique. As long as your oral hygiene care is optimum, smile your best smile and be confident in your skin.

How To Close The Gaps Between Teeth

If you’re interested in how to fix a gap in teeth to achieve a straighter smile, there are several options available. Some treatments could correct the diastema completely, or you can opt for cosmetic procedures.

Orthodontic Treatment

Wired braces or Invisalign® are common orthodontic treatment options for correcting a gap in front teeth. They work by putting pressure on the teeth to slowly move them together, closing any gaps, and bringing them into an optimal position.

Orthodontic treatment can also be used to treat more oral conditions than just diastema. It can correct over or underbites, misaligned jaws, issues with chewing or speech, and overcrowded teeth.

Dental Veneers

Veneers are a great option if you aren’t interested in orthodontic treatment, such as braces or surgery for correction. Dental veneers are a thin layer of ceramic that a dental professional can put over the front of your teeth, which can cover the gap between your teeth and achieve a whiter smile, too.

Oral Surgery

Oral surgery might be required to close the gap between your teeth if it’s caused by gum-related issues. For example, if your gums are overextending, a procedure can be done to remove the excess tissue and fix any gaps in the teeth caused by it.

Frenectomy

This is a surgical procedure that can be done to increase the movement of the labial frenum if that is the cause of your teeth’ gaps. A frenectomy procedure would be done in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, such as braces. This is because the procedure would remove the cause of the diastema, while the braces or Invisalign® treatment would correct the gap. 

Closing by themselves

If you’re a worried parent—don’t worry, we get it. However, gaps between baby teeth are normal and actually favourable. In most cases, they close by themselves over time or when their adult teeth come in.

So, any treatments or cosmetic procedures to fix your children’s teeth are unnecessary. The gaps usually naturally close by themselves. For example, when a baby’s teeth start to come through (which is typically around 6–9 months), the teeth would ideally have a gap. 

Over time, as more baby teeth come through, they can naturally close any gaps, and the frenum may also shorten if that’s a concern. A similar process also happens when someone loses their baby teeth and their adult teeth start pushing through.

Book A Consultation at Admire Dentistry

If you’re worried about the gaps between your teeth or curious about how to fix a gap in your teeth, you can book an appointment with Admire Dentistry today.

During the appointment, one of our dentists will assess your teeth, examine any gaps, and check your overall oral health. If you want to get any of the gaps between your teeth fixed, our team will discuss with you the different options available and what would work best for your situation.