Gaps in between your teeth can often cause self-embarrassment in you and you may not want to smile. Not only that but a tooth misalignment can also cause problems with your bite. While it is an issue that adults can probably deal with, a child may have a different view about it.
Many parents worry when gaps appear in between their child’s permanent teeth. As the permanent teeth start growing, there will be a gap in between the upper front teeth. This is a normal occurrence.
What Causes Gaps in Teeth?
Gaps may be a result of teeth protruding forward if they are small compared to a normal sized dental arch, or if the teeth are normal in a large dental arch. If the gap between the two front teeth is small, it will close on its own as the upper canines start growing.
However, if the gap is large, there is a less chance of the gap closing on its own. Also, if the teeth are severely protruded due to the gaps, apart from aesthetic concerns, there is greater risk of the teeth getting damaged when the child has a fall.
Other causes of gapped front teeth include:
- Natural development – teeth usually have gaps between them when they first come through, and it’s the arrival of the canine teeth that often closes any gaps.
- Missing teeth – some children are born missing one or two teeth (either baby or adult) in their jawbones, which leaves a space.
- Extra teeth – sometimes there are extra teeth in the bone which can prevent other teeth from coming through, thereby leaving a gap.
- Small teeth – some children may have small teeth which, in essence, causes the gaps to appear.
- Large jaws – some children may have jaws that are relatively large compared to the size of their teeth.
As we have mentioned above, a gap between the front teeth in the upper jaw would usually close on its own. Gaps between the baby teeth are completely normal and gaps between the adult front teeth often close by themselves as more adult teeth come through.
How to Treat Gapped Teeth?
However, if you are still concerned, you should bring your child to an orthodontist and have their teeth examined. An orthodontist is a dentist who has done additional study to specialise in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of problems in the alignment of teeth and jaws.
The orthodontist may do an X-ray to determine if there is an extra tooth between the roots or if there are other factors causing the space. If treatment is required, it can be done using simple removable appliances or sectional fixed appliances, such as braces for the front permanent teeth, to close the spaces and push back the protruding teeth.