If you’ve ever seen a Hollywood movie, you know the importance of having perfect teeth. Unfortunately, when our teeth fall out, they don’t grow back. If you have a tooth gap and feel uncomfortable about it, there are things you can do at home to close that gap and feel more confident. If your gappy smile is slowing down your social life or even making it awkward for you to smile, we have great news for you. You can get rid of the ugly gaps in your teeth by simply implementing some techniques at home. Let’s see how you can close a gap in your teeth at home.
How To Close A Gap In Your Teeth At Home?
Floss and brush often
If there is a gap between your teeth, it may be a result of them being misaligned. A misaligned bite can be corrected with orthodontic braces or Invisalign. Braces, however, are not for everyone. Invisalign will probably be a more suitable option for you. If misalignment is not the cause of your gap, then there may be a gap between your teeth because you are not brushing and flossing properly. Brushing and flossing properly can also prevent gum disease, which is also linked to tooth gaps. For example, if you have a gap between your front teeth and you are eating food particles, they will lodge between the teeth, causing plaque and eventually, tooth decay. This is why it is so important to floss around your teeth and brush them properly.
Use a lightening toothpaste
The shade of your teeth can affect how noticeable a gap is. If your teeth are dark, they will stand out more than if they are light, so you can use this to your advantage. Lightening toothpaste can reduce the visibility of your gap and make your teeth look whiter. There are many different types of lightening toothpaste on the market so you can find one that works for you. If the gap is between two of your teeth, you can also use a bleach pen to clean the teeth on either side of the gap. Be careful not to let the bleach pen come into contact with your gum.
Try a mouthguard
Sometimes, a gap between your teeth can occur because one or more of your teeth have been knocked out of alignment. A mouthguard can reduce the visibility of your gap if this is the case. If you have a gap between your teeth, you should wear a mouthguard during sporting activities. You can also wear a mouthguard if you grind your teeth at night. While a mouthguard can reduce the visibility of a gap, it won’t eliminate it completely. You might also want to consider getting a night guard if you grind your teeth at night. A gap between your teeth can also occur due to the thickness of your lips, which can be hereditary. If this is the case, you can increase the thickness of your lips using a lip-plumping product. A lip plumping product uses a mild irritant to induce a small swelling in your lips, temporarily increasing their thickness. Lip plumping products are safe and are often used by people who want fuller lips.
Get your teeth professionally cleaned and polished
If the gap between your teeth is caused by staining, you can get your teeth professionally cleaned and polished. At your dentist appointment, they will use special cleaning solutions and toothpaste to thoroughly clean your teeth and remove stains caused by food and drink. Afterward, they will use a polishing agent to give your teeth a shiny, clean finish. Your dentist may also be able to remove a gap between your teeth with a tooth-spacing treatment. In this procedure, the dentist will cut the surrounding teeth slightly and then fuse the gap with a tooth-spacing material such as orthodontic bonding or tooth-spacing putty. A tooth-spacing treatment is suitable for people with a small, non-extending gap between their teeth.
Why Do We Get Gaps In Our Teeth?
Genetics
Your genes play a huge role when it comes to gaps in your teeth. If your genes are such that there are gaps in your teeth, then there is very little that you can do about it. You can try your best to maintain good oral hygiene and follow a proper diet and exercise routine, but in most cases, you won’t see the results. Genetics plays a huge role in oral health as well. In some cases, the gaps in your teeth may be a result of a medical condition such as cystic fibrosis.
Loss of baby teeth
Newborn babies have a set of 20 baby teeth. The first set of teeth comes in at the age of 6 months and they get replaced with a new set of teeth every 6 years until they are 20 years old. The gaps in your teeth could be a result of a lost baby tooth. A baby tooth is a very delicate tooth, and it can fall off or be damaged easily. If you notice that a tooth is missing, consult your dentist right away. They can help you replace the tooth with a bridge or a denture until the adult teeth come in. There are cases, however, where a baby tooth is lost but the adult tooth does not come in as a result. This could be a sign of an underdeveloped jaw or underdeveloped gums. In these cases, there isn’t much that you can do to prevent gaps in your teeth. You can visit a doctor who can advise you on the best course of action.
Timing issue
If you notice gaps in your teeth, then it could also be a result of a timing issue. Gaps in teeth can be caused by the order in which the child’s teeth came out. A child who lost his or her teeth before the second molars are fully grown may have gaps in the front teeth. If this happens to your child, then it is nothing to worry about. Once the adult teeth come in, the gaps in your teeth will be gone. However, if the gaps are between your front teeth, then there are certain things that you can do to prevent gaps in your teeth. These things include cutting down on fibrous foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and salads. You can also avoid sticky foods like peanut butter. Avoiding these foods can prevent gum inflammation which could hinder the growth of your adult teeth. You can also consider visiting your dentist to get a custom-made mouth guard to prevent injury to your teeth.
Faulty bite
Your teeth could also be misaligned in such a way that they cause spaces between your teeth. This is called a faulty bite and it is common in people who grind their teeth excessively. If you grind your teeth, then you could cause misalignment between your teeth which can result in gaps in your teeth. To prevent faulty bites, use a mouth guard while sleeping. This will protect your teeth from excessive grinding. You can also talk to your dentist to find out if they can provide you with a retainer that will protect your teeth.
Discoloration of teeth
Gaps in teeth can also be caused by discoloration of your teeth. This can happen when you consume a lot of dark-colored foods and drinks. If you consume a lot of dark-colored foods and drinks, the gaps in your teeth could turn dark. They will then look different compared to the rest of your teeth. This is normal and nothing to worry about. You should, however, try to avoid dark-colored foods and drinks if you want to keep the gaps in your teeth from getting darker.
Risk Of Tooth Loss When You Have Gaps In Your Teeth
- If you have gaps between your teeth, you are more likely to lose teeth because the gaps might get bigger. If there is no way to close a gap in your teeth, you may have to get a dental implant as a permanent solution for the gap.
- If you want a natural solution, you can get dental braces to close a gap in your teeth.
- You can also get a retainer to keep your teeth in place and close the gap.
- If the gap is not closed and you don’t do anything about it, it can get bigger and bigger, and your teeth can get misaligned.
Tips To Close A Gap In Your Teeth At Home
- First, you should visit your dentist to find out the exact length of your gap. Then, you can discuss with your dentist how you can close a gap in your teeth.
- If you want to close a gap in your teeth with a retainer, you can wear it 24/7.
- If you want to close your gap with braces, you need to wear them for about 20 hours a day. When you wear your retainer or braces, you should be careful not to eat very hot or sticky food, as you might burn your mouth.
- Beyond wearing your retainer or braces, you can also use some home remedies to close a gap in your teeth.
- You can use dental floss regularly, clean your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush, and drink lots of water. You can also eat healthy food like fruits, vegetables, and grains to maintain healthy teeth.
Conclusion
If you have a tooth gap, you can do something about it. You can get braces or a retainer to close a gap in your teeth. A retainer can be worn 24/7, and braces need to be worn for about 20 hours a day. You can also use home remedies to close a gap in your teeth.
