How Gaps Between Your Teeth Can Affect Your Oral Health

Gaps between teeth may seem common, and there are people who see it as an attractive feature. But this can have negative effects on your oral health in the long term. 

This blog post will talk about the potential causes of gaps between teeth, their possible effects on your mouth, and treatment options you and your dentist can discuss.

What Causes Interdental Spaces or Spaces Between Teeth?

The clinical term for gaps between teeth is “diastema.” These gaps can develop for various reasons. 

Developmental problems can lead to the formation of interdental spaces. Having a large jawbone and mouth can also result in a gapped smile.

Additionally, certain habits can cause teeth to shift from their ideal position. This includes thumb-sucking and tongue-thrusting. Exposing teeth to pressure for an extended period may also cause gaps to develop.

How Gaps Between Teeth Can Impact Your Oral Health

Here are the effects and potential risks of leaving gaps between teeth untreated:

1. It’s harder to keep the mouth clean.

Cleaning the mouth effectively is harder, as food debris can get stuck in spaces between teeth. Removal can be tough, so you need to pay close attention when brushing and flossing. Often, brushing alone won’t be enough to eliminate food particles. You must also floss to get rid of them and ensure they don’t linger in the mouth. 

Trapped debris from starchy and sugary foods are food for harmful bacteria. They then form plaque, a sticky, colorless film that can make your smile look dull and contribute to bad breath.

2. It can increase your risk of developing dental problems.

Gaps between teeth attract food deposits, which, when unremoved, can form the bacteria-laden film, plaque. Plaque produces acids that erode the enamel. It also turns into tartar later on, which can trigger more dental problems down the road. 

Tartar, unlike plaque, can only be removed at the dental office during routine hygiene cleanings. It can result in increased sensitivity, toothaches, and gum disease. As food debris remains lodged between teeth, the chances of bacteria multiplying and spreading also rise.

3. It can lead to a misaligned bite.

A gap can also occur when you lose a tooth or several teeth. This can cause the surrounding teeth to shift and occupy the empty space. These changes in the position of your teeth can impact your bite.

If the teeth are misaligned, chewing and biting will require more effort. This can also lead to the teeth becoming more prone to chipping and breaking.

4. It can cause chewing and speech difficulties.

Diastema can also affect your speech. It can make it hard to pronounce certain sounds because the gaps interfere with the proper tongue placement as you speak. 

Tooth gaps can also make chewing uncomfortable. Hard, crunchy, or tough food types, such as meat, can get caught in the space. You may end up swallowing larger chunks instead of breaking them down first into smaller pieces, which may keep you from enjoying your meal.

In one study, researchers concluded that chewing abilities are closely related to nutrients, food intake, and malnutrition. 

Can Diastema Be Treated?

Gaps between teeth can be closed to restore ideal tooth alignment and improve your bite and oral health.

Depending on the extent of the issue, your dentist can recommend various treatment options. You may discuss getting a single procedure or a combination of procedures to achieve your desired results.

Among the options for fixing minor tooth gaps are bonding and veneers. Larger gaps can be addressed with orthodontic treatments such as braces and Invisalign. Dental implants are another potential treatment option.

Whichever dental procedure you choose, good oral hygiene habits remain essential to keeping your smile in great shape.

Visit a Dentist in the Niagara Falls, ON, Area to Fix Gaps Between Teeth

Gaps between teeth, no matter how small, are more than a cosmetic issue. They can impact your confidence and make you hesitant to speak, smile, or laugh in public.

At the same time, they can cause oral hygiene challenges, increased harmful bacterial activity, and misalignment issues. You may not think that those spaces between your teeth can do harm, but they can if left untreated.

Request an appointment with one of our Niagara Falls dentists to learn more about how teeth gaps affect your dental health. 

Discuss options for closing them and keeping your smile healthy and attractive. One of our team members will get back to you shortly and assist you in booking your visit.