How do I fix the gap between my teeth?

Table of contents

1. What is Diastema?
2. Causes for Developing Gaps in Teeth
   • Size, Shape, and Position of Your Teeth
   • Hereditary
   • Obstructions in Your Mouth
   • Thumb Sucking
   • Tongue-thrusting
   • Gum Disease
3. What Are The Problems Associated With Gapped Teeth?
   • Disease
   • Hygiene and Cavity
   • Wear and Tear
   • Discomfort
   • Self-esteem
4. Should You Fix Tooth Gaps?
5. How Can You Correct Gapped Teeth?
   • Braces
   • Implants
   • Veneers or Crowns
   • Bands
6. Can I Close The Gap Between The Teeth At Home?
7. How do ALIGNERCO Invisible Aligners work?
   • Make an Impression
   • Approve Your Smile
   • Let our Aligners work while you sleep!

Many individuals suffer from diastema, sometimes known as tooth gaps, but this issue has more complications than you may think. This article will cover all you need to know to start moving toward a smile you are pleased with, whether you are searching for a fix for gaps between your teeth or have always questioned what caused them.

What is Diastema?

The term “diastema” describes the space or gap between the teeth. Although these gaps may develop anywhere in the teeth, they can often be seen between the top front teeth. Both children and adults are impacted by this issue. Gaps in children’s teeth may close up after their permanent teeth develop.

While certain gaps are more obvious to some individuals, others are smaller and hardly perceptible to others. There are options to close or lessen the gap size if you don’t like how it appears.

Causes for Developing Gaps in Teeth

Size, Shape, and Position of Your Teeth

Diastema can happen to anybody at any age, and there have been instances where the gap will close. Typically, this occurs as a child between losing your baby teeth and developing permanent adult teeth. The gap is there because your body is still growing and forming. However, if the issue does not resolve, you will be left with a gap between your teeth forever.

You may also find that your teeth have gaps because they are too small for the jawbone. If this is the case, the teeth will spread out along the gums, leaving apparent gaps. The severity of this can vary between people.

Hereditary

Hereditary, passed down from a parent, is a major cause of having gaps in front teeth. Maybe your mother, father, or even one of the grandparents has gaps in their teeth, so you got it from them. Since it is in your genes, you can’t stop it from occurring, but you can get it fixed later in life.

Obstructions in Your Mouth

In addition, it could also have to do with gaps between your teeth caused by the labial frenulum, the tissue that runs across your front teeth, and the gum line. Both factors are inherited, but other factors, such as personal behaviors, may contribute to tooth gaps.

Thumb Sucking

One of the most prominent and common causes of developing gaps in your teeth is thumb-sucking, especially if you continue it past infancy. When children suck their thumb, it puts pressure on the front teeth and can drive them apart while developing. This leads to gaps in the teeth & could also make your teeth crooked.

Tongue-thrusting

Tongue-thrusting, which happens when swallowing, could also lead to diastema. Like thumb sucking, it affects the front teeth, pushing them outwards rather than pushing your tongue against the top of the mouth, as most people do.

Gum Disease

Finally, gum disease caused by infections and bad oral hygiene could cause diastema. Inflammation around the gums and supportive tissue will fail to provide adequate alignment, and this could progress to creating tooth gaps. Some symptoms of gum disease include swollen, tender gums, bright red or purplish gums, pain when chewing, or loss of teeth.

What Are The Problems Associated With Gapped Teeth?

Even if you already have gaps in your teeth and are aware of some of the problems that come with them, you may only realize some of them. Because of this, it’s essential to cover the potential issues that people with gaps in their teeth can face if they choose not to treat it and have it corrected.

Potential issues caused by diastema include:

Disease

If your diastema results from gum disease and infection, then this is a significant issue that you should get treated immediately. This disease can affect your mouth and harm your teeth and the muscle and tissues, which may require surgery to remove or replace your teeth or other parts of the mouth.

Suppose you have ever had a mouth infection before. In that case, you know how unpleasant it can be, so it’s in your best interest to minimize exacerbating further problems by getting any gum disease treated as soon as possible.

Hygiene and Cavity

Food bits can get stuck in your teeth even when your teeth are perfectly straight & close together. However, with gaps in your teeth, you risk getting crumbs trapped between the offending teeth. This can be uncomfortable and distracting; if you don’t fix it, there’s the chance of causing a cavity or worse infection.

There is also the social, personal, and professional aspect to consider. You don’t want to be the person with food stuck in their teeth when meeting someone for the first time or leading a large conference meeting in front of valuable clients.

Wear and Tear

Misaligned and gapped teeth can cause accelerated wear and tear on your teeth. While regular teeth will line up correctly and feed into each other naturally, gapped teeth, whether the bottom or upper row, can collide with other teeth, which could chip, damage, and compromise strength and integrity.

All teeth will naturally degrade over time, the risk of ignoring diastema could damage your teeth faster than expected, and it could mean you require replacements.

Discomfort

Everyone has a natural mouth, tongue, and tooth position. For the majority of people, it’s not something that you notice. Like breathing and blinking, you find it without thinking about it. However, for anyone with gapped teeth, there is a chance that it is impossible to find the perfect position and comfort for your teeth.

As you want your tongue to rest somewhere naturally, it can be distracting if it rubs against the gap in your teeth constantly. By ignoring the opportunity to close the gap, there is a risk of discomfort and distraction lasting throughout your lifetime.

Self-esteem

As our teeth are something that everyone sees every day, knowing that you have gapped teeth could affect your self-esteem. The idea of the ‘Perfect Smile’ is one of straight white teeth, and if you feel that your teeth are slightly different from the norm, you may be resistant to putting yourself out there, meeting new people, or even giving a toothy smile on photographs. Such self-esteem issues can impact your social and professional life and could lead to further mental health issues later on.

Should You Fix Tooth Gaps?

Fixing gaps between your teeth is something that is entirely up to you. But, for most people, closing the gap gives them the confidence they need to be more social and happier with their appearances. Furthermore, those concerned about worsening existing conditions, such as gum disease or infections, should consider fixing their tooth gaps.

Despite this, some people will consider the gaps in their teeth as a personal quirk and something that makes them different.
As with anything in life, it is your decision, and unless the problem could lead to severe medical issues, hygiene issues, and harm, you can choose whether fixing tooth gaps is right for you.

How Can You Correct Gapped Teeth?

Should you decide that straightening your teeth to close the diastema is the right move for you, then you have a broad range of options to explore. You can choose from various options depending on the severity of the tooth gaps and your preference.

Braces

Braces have always been an effective way for people to fix misaligned or gapped teeth. You can choose between traditional braces that use brackets and wires or clear braces that are more discreet, modern, and easy to care for. While both methods are effective, transparent or invisible braces (or aligners) are more convenient. You can remove them at will for eating; they take less to get used to than other options.

Implants

Implants are one of the most expensive options around, and while they are not relevant to everybody, they can still help fix gaps in the teeth. However, you would not need to use implants if you have a slight gap in your teeth, but they are something to consider if you need to fix a tooth gap caused by losing or significantly damaging one of your teeth, especially at the front.

Veneers or Crowns

Crowns are typically used for cosmetic purposes and will be beneficial for repairing a cracked tooth. The porcelain shell covers the problem area, and you can also use it to act as a ‘fake tooth’ that is added to the bottom or side of the tooth to create a more even appearance. Even if you don’t have vertical gaps in your teeth, crowns can fix horizontal gaps effectively.
Conversely, veneers are thin pieces of porcelain that bonds to the tooth after removing the top layer of existing enamel. This method is popular but can also be expensive, depending on how many teeth you need to treat. Even so, if you have serious concerns over the quality, straightness, or overall appearance of your teeth, then veneers are a long-lasting solution that also boasts excellent quality and will ensure satisfaction.

Bands

Teeth gap bands may not be the most attractive solution around, and if it seems like the dentist got bored and handed someone a rubber band as a solution, you wouldn’t be too far off. Still, they are practical and prove that sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

You might be concerned that you will need to walk around with a band on your tooth all day long, but this isn’t the case. You should only wear tooth gap bands overnight. This is an affordable option, but it is not a magical cure-all solution. The gap between your teeth cannot be too large, and they must already be straight to get the best results. The larger the gap, the longer they will take to be effective, with some taking as much as six months. You may also encounter additional dental issues after wearing them, such as discomfort with the band rubbing against the gums.

Can I Close The Gap Between The Teeth At Home?

If you are unable to consult a dentist in person, you may be able to undergo teeth straightening at home. However, this isn’t to say you should try to perform the treatment yourself. You’ll still need to speak to a qualified dental expert through teleconferencing.

While some aligner companies require you to come into the office for your aligner fitting with ALIGNERCO you can skip a dentist’s office altogether. You can start your treatment right at home with 24/7 customer service to address all your worries and concerns.

How do ALIGNERCO Invisible Aligners work?

ALIGNERCO invisible aligners are one of the best ways to treat a range of misaligned teeth or diastema issues. The process is simple.

Make an Impression

You’ll receive an Impression Kit with instructions to start your orthodontic treatment at home. Take your dental impressions and send them to us so we can determine your candidacy.

Approve Your Smile

Our dentists will evaluate your case and build a customized aligner’s treatment plan for your smile. Preview a 3D image of your perfect teeth and get started with your treatment.

Let our Aligners work while you sleep!

Custom aligners are made and shipped within 2-4 weeks. Our dental care assistant will address your worries throughout your aligner treatment. Thanks to our aligners, you can rest and watch your new beautiful smile appear.

If you want to fix the gap in your teeth today, take our Free Assessment and start with ALIGNERCO.