A gap between two teeth is otherwise known as diastema. Teeth with gaps in them are very common in children but are not something that you need to worry about. The gaps tend to disappear as you reach adulthood. Some people are happy to live with the gap in their teeth. If you have several gaps in your teeth or if you feel as though you want to do something about your smile, then it is possible for you to explore different malocclusion treatments.

What is a Diastema?

Any gap in the teeth is known as a diastema. It’s most often noticed between the two front teeth. The condition usually develops when there is disproportion between the jaw and teeth. It should be noted that it can be caused by alignment issues or even because you have too much tissue in the mouth for the teeth to come through properly.

Who Gets Diastemas?

A diastema occurs for a lot of different reasons. It can also happen to mammals, and this is especially the case with herbivores. In animals, such as beavers, sheep and even rodents, having a diastema benefits them because it gives them the chance to move food to the cheek. This means that they can increase their food consumption. In some parts of the world, a diastema is a very attractive sign as it shows that you are fertile. Some people even have gaps created on purpose. Take France for example, there, they are known as being lucky teeth. In Australia, those who have a diastema are said to be able to predict future wealth. Take a look below to find out more about teeth straightening.

What Causes a Diastema?

It’s vital that you understand the cause of your tooth gap, as this will help your dentist to diagnose the problem much faster. It will also give them the chance to provide you with the perfect solution.

Some Teeth are Missing

Size is a very important risk factor when you look at why tooth gaps exist. If you know that your teeth are undersized then this will give you an extra space in your mouth, where teeth can move around. This is often caused by discrepancies in the size of the tooth or the jaw. Another reason why is because the upper lateral incisors are missing, or small, causing the two teeth at the front to shift to the side.

Unhealthy Dental Habits

Unhealthy dental habits that have formed over time can be very distressing to say the least. If you have stressed the front teeth by bringing them forward by thumb sucking then this can cause your teeth to become misaligned. Improper spacing can also occur if you do not swallow properly. When food is swallowed, the tongue tends to press against the palate but for some, it pushes against the front teeth and this causes gaps to appear.

You have a Problem with your Labial Frenum

The tissue that joins the upper lips to the gums is known as the labial frenum. In situations where it grows continuously, it passes through the two front teeth and this can result in a large gap. It’s important to know that gum diseases, such as gingivitis can also cause tooth loss. This causes the gums and the neighbouring tissue to enlarge and it means that it detaches from the bones. This will loosen the tooth. When tooth loss occurs, this means that there is extra space which allows room for movement. It’s vital to know that if you invest in good dental hygiene then there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to solve issues like this.

Correcting your Diastema

A lot of people try and opt out of having a cosmetic procedure done to fix their diastema. If you don’t feel like having braces for the next few years or if you are happy with the way that your mouth is right now, then there’s nothing wrong with this. That being said, if you want to try and get that perfect smile or if you want to have that Hollywood look then you may feel self-conscious about your diastema. If you want to put an end to this or if you want to make sure that you do everything you can to try and perfect your smile then you should know that there are in fact options out there that can help you to achieve the look you want without much effort at all.

Treatment for a Diastema

Treatment for a diastema might, or might not be required but a lot of this comes down to your underlying cause. For some, a diastema is nothing other than a cosmetic issue and it certainly does not indicate an issue like gum disease. Braces are a very common treatment if you have a diastema. Braces have wires and brackets and this essentially means that pressure is put on your teeth, moving them slowly together. This closes the gap. If you don’t want your braces to be on show, then you may want to look into invisible or removal braces as this may actually fix your diastema without you having to undergo any kind of procedure. If you do not want braces then make sure that you talk to your dentist to see if they are able to fix the gaps in your teeth. Bonding or veneers may be an option. When you go for something like this, you will have a compound which is the same colour as your tooth. This fills in the gap or it fits over the tooth, meaning that you can instantly improve the overall appearance of your smile. This procedure is very useful if you have a missing or if you have a cracked tooth. Depending on the source of your problem, you may be a candidate for a dental bridge. This can be used to correct your gap or it can be used to replace your missing tooth.

If you know that the gums above your two upper front teeth look to be overextended and are causing a gap, then you may be able to have surgery as this will remove any excess tissue. It may be that you need braces to close the bigger gap however. If your doctor has diagnosed you with gum disease then you will need to have treatment as this will stop the infection. Treatment for any kind of gum disease can vary depending on the extent of your problem and your dentist in general but as a minimum, you can expect scaling or root planning. This will remove any plaque or tartar that might have hardened and it will also eliminate the bacteria that might have caused the damage. Severe gum disease may mean that you need to undergo surgery as this will remove the tartar that has accumulated underneath the gums.

Prevention of a Diastema

If the case of diastema is a developmental defect, then there will be no way for you to avoid it. If you want to correct the issue, then you need to seek treatment as soon as possible. If periodontal disease is to blame, then routine hygiene is the solution. This will stop your gap from widening and it will also help you to put an end to any potential problems that could surface later. Brushing and flossing can stop you from worsening your periodontal disease.

Could Clear Braces be the Solution?

The best thing about clear braces is that they are invisible. You won’t be wearing a mouthful of clunky wires or brackets. For a lot of teenagers, they find themselves constantly trying to fit in with their peers. 9 out of 10 teens feel as though metal braces stop them fitting in. A teen who doesn’t feel as though they fit in may go on to experience anxiety and depression. Facial appearance and clothing are also daily preoccupations for a lot of younger people. If you were to wear metal braces for a year then this would impede self-confidence at a vulnerable time in their life. Research has indicated time and time again that teens who have clear-aligners are twice as likely to have a boost in their self-esteem.

For adults, facial appearance is just as important as it is for teens. If you are in a very visible occupation, such as retail or even car sales then you will want to make a very favourable impression on every contact who you meet. If you have low self-confidence because of your teeth then it may be that you don’t come across as well as you could. A big smile indicates that you are approachable, friendly and trustworthy as well. If you don’t feel comfortable enough to smile, then this could impact your confidence even more. Clear aligners give you the chance to retain that great smile while you have any other orthodontic work done.

They are Removable

You can pop your aligners out and you can put them in a very small carrying case if you want. You can then eat, and know that they are completely safe. Aligners give you the chance to eat all of your favourite foods. If you have braces, then you have to try and avoid certain foods. This can involve foods that are chewy or rubbery, such as gumdrops or liquorice. If you have metal braces then you also need to avoid things such as gum, or caramel. Brittle foods can also be an issue, such as hard pretzels, nuts or popcorn. If you have braces, you might also find that carrots, whole apples or corn on the cob are also difficult. It’s also been known for braces to interlock with one another, so if you are trying to have an intimate moment then this can really ruin it. Invisible braces on the other hand mean that you can be as intimate as you want without worrying about a thing.

They Make it Easy to Clean your Teeth

The great thing about invisible braces is that you can care for your teeth much better when compared to metal braces. Simply carry on with your flossing routine or even your regular brushing routine. On the other hand, it’s very easy to see how metal wires can trap food between your teeth. Those who wear traditional braces really do have to take extra care with their diet and their teeth cleaning in general.

Clear Aligners from Straight my Teeth

If you want to invest in some clear aligners, then you’ll be glad to know that this is very easy to do. In fact, when you go through Straight my Teeth, you will soon find that you can get a fantastic result in a very short space of time. You can get an impression kit that is very easy to use. This will come with a treatment plan that is done by a UK dentist, and you also get free shipping. After this, your clear aligners will arrive on your doorstep. You can buy them in one go or in affordable monthly installments if you want. After achieving your dream smile, you can then keep it by using complimentary retainers.

So there really are many benefits to having your teeth gap closed and when you do, you will soon find that your confidence is boosted and that you are able to perform well in your work as well. Of course, if you have any questions then you can contact us today to find out more. When you do, our team will then be able to advise you on anything you need to know, and they can also help you to find out if braces are going to be an option for you. If you have any questions about our payment plans or if you can find out if you can get some advice on our delivery service then our team can help you with that as well, so don’t be afraid to get in touch with us if you are unsure about anything. We would be more than happy to help.