Gaps between teeth, which is otherwise known as diastema, can happen anywhere in the mouth, but it occurs most commonly between the two front teeth. These gaps can differ in size, but this issue is usually an aesthetic one, and it frequently occurs in young children who don’t have their permanent teeth yet. Despite being a sign of good luck in many cultures, having this unique dental feature may be caused by genetics and might cause additional health complications down the line.
What causes a gap to form between the teeth?
While it can be passed down from generation to generation, it can also be developed from habits like thumb-sicking as a child or putting your tongue in a certain position when chewing and swallowing. If a child or adult pushes their tongue against the back of their first two teeth, it can create a space and widen over time.
Other genetic reasons for spacing can include some people being born with teeth too tiny for their jawbone, which can create extra space, or having an oversized labial frenum (the tissue connecting the top lip to the gum above the front upper teeth).
Periodontitis (advanced gum disease) and mesiodens (grows along the back of the middle incisors and stops them from moving together to reduce a gap) can also cause gaps in the teeth.
Does being gap-toothed mean bad health?
In certain cases, a gap between the front teeth could signify gum disease or poor dental health and hygiene. While this issue isn’t life-threatening, it can indicate that a person needs to improve their oral hygiene routine.
Poor oral hygiene, where a person doesn’t floss or brush their teeth enough, can cause gum inflammation, which can eventually pull the teeth further apart, creating a gap. If you observe your gums feeling overly tender, swollen, looking red, or bleeding during brushing and flossing, an infection like gingivitis may be the culprit.
