Can Black Triangles be Fixed?
When you smile, do you notice black triangles between your teeth near your gums more than your pearly whites? It is possible to address these open gingival embrasures, depending on the root cause for yours. In some cases these black triangles can indicate there are more serious dental problems in your future and should be addressed. In other cases, black triangles may be an aesthetic issue and the dentist will be able to suggest the best treatment options.
If your teeth do not completely fill the space between each other and there are black triangles near the gums, they will not go away on their own. They may get worse over time, but there are treatments for your open gingival embrasures. Here are the main reasons why you may have these black triangles in your mouth:
Gum Recession
Your gums may be shrinking away from your teeth as a result of smoking, your age, or gum disease worsening. Without gum tissue to support and protect the teeth roots, they are more vulnerable to infection and decay.
Poor Brushing Techniques
While it may seem a firm bristled toothbrush would be beneficial for breaking up plaque and keeping teeth clean, they can damage your gums when combined with aggressive brushing along the gums.
Natural Tooth Shape
Your teeth may just be larger towards the bottom and more narrow along the gumline. While this shape helps you chew your food better, it can leave you with small black triangles along your gums between your teeth.
Bone Loss
As a result of getting older or effects of untreated gum disease, your jawbone may lose density and leave your tooth unsupported.
Results of Orthodontic Treatments
If you have had braces or other orthodontic treatments that shift the positions of your teeth, then you may have black triangles from the new spacing in your mouth.
Here are the ways the dentist can treat your black triangles and address the specific reason why you have them in your mouth:
Braces
If your teeth shifted after you had your braces removed, then the dentist may recommend another orthodontic treatment. The black triangles could disappear after the braces set your teeth in better alignment.
More Gentle Oral Hygiene
If your gums are starting to recede as a result of aggressive brushing or using too firm of a toothbrush, the dentist can suggest a soft bristled toothbrush and demonstrate more gentle motions while brushing. Additionally, the dentist can review better flossing techniques to help your gums stay healthy without any unnecessary damage.
Dental Bonding or Veneers
The dentist can use a composite material that matches your tooth color to adjust the shape and size of your teeth, if the small black triangles are in places where your natural teeth can be used as a base for the bonding. If your teeth need a more drastic change than the dental bonding can provide, the dentist may suggest veneers. Those are made from porcelain and are attached to the front of your natural teeth after the top layer of enamel is removed.
Hyaluronic Acid Treatment
You may already know this ingredient is in your favorite face serum, but it can help your gums regenerate after gum recession.