Two Reasons Your Front Tooth Gap Is Expanding
Posted on: 2 December 2017
Your front tooth gap may not have bothered you before, but it certainly is causing you some concern now that it appears to be getting bigger. It's not unusual for front tooth gaps to expand as time goes by. Here are two things that may be causing your gap to enlarge and what you can do to address the issue.
You Have Gum Disease
A common reason why front tooth gaps get bigger is because the person has periodontal disease. This is an infection in the gums typically caused by poor oral hygiene, systemic diseases such as diabetes, or a combination of both.
Periodontal disease is characterized by inflammation in the gums due to the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth. Left untreated, this infection can result in the loss of gum tissue and jaw bone, both of which can cause gaps between the teeth. Since your front tooth gap is the most visible, the changes in your mouth will be more noticeable.
Your dentist can formally diagnose whether you have periodontal disease or not, but a few signs of this condition include:
- Gums that bleed or are swollen and sensitive
- Receding gums
- Chronic bad breath
- Persistent bad taste in the mouth
- Teeth that are loose
- Pus around the teeth and gums
Treating periodontal disease depends on how severe it is. Mild gum disease (gingivitis) can typically be eliminated by stepping up your oral health regime (e.g. brushing twice per day and using a medicated mouthwash). More severe periodontal disease (periodontitis) may require scaling and rooting, surgery, or tissue and bone grafts to correct. One the cause of the tooth gap is addressed, the dentist can then work on closing the space between your teeth.
Poor Swallowing Reflex
Another reason why your front tooth gap has enlarged is because you have or developed a poor swallowing reflex. Normally when a person swallows, the tongue presses against the roof of the mouth. However, some people press the tongue against their front teeth instead. Over time, the constant pressure from this action causes the teeth to move forward and/or apart, leading to a larger gap.
Problematic tongue thrusting can be corrected in two ways. The first involves performing a variety of tongue exercises under the supervision of a speech therapist. The other option is to install a dental appliance that essentially pinches the tongue whenever it's placed in the wrong area. Your dentist can recommend the best option for you.
For help correcting a front tooth gap and the underlying causes, contact a family dentist, such as at Smiles for Life Family Dentistry.
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