Black triangles are small gaps along your gumline at the intersection of two teeth. Many patients experience black triangles at some point in their lifetime, and this is often a result of gum tissue loss or poor dental hygiene. When you attend routine cleanings and examinations with your dental care team, you can often stop black triangles in their tracks; or at least have an action plan in place to tackle them as they appear.
What are the causes of Black Triangles?
There are several root causes of Black Triangles, Including
* Poor Dental Hygiene- Forgetting to floss happens to us all, but it must be done regularly to prevent cumulus. Without physically dragging the floss through the teeth, there is simply no way to promptly remove accumulated foodstuff from between the teeth. Once this organic material is near the gums, it will enter the gumline and begin to infect the area with bacteria. The bacteria will grow and assault the gum tissues, causing them to recede down the tooth and exposing space between the teeth.
* Gum Infection and Disease- Any time gum tissue is affected you risk exposing triangles. Whether it is fro genetics or the proliferation of food particles, bacteria lives in your mouth. Gum disease and infection allow this bacteria to thrive, and wreak havoc on the structure of your gums and jaw.
* Over Brushing- Gums are living tissue, if you continue to agitate them, the tissue will respond. Brushing too hard, trying to scrub your teeth, and firmly brushing your gums can cause them to pull back, or recede down your tooth.
* Tooth Shape- Sometimes our teeth are simply shaped in a way that exposes gaps. This can easily be remedied with some restorative work, and is often purely cosmetic.
* Tooth/Bone Loss- If you are missing teeth or bone structure within your jaw, it allows other teeth to move, showing off black triangles near the root.
Why you should care about Black Triangles
Black Triangles can be a nuisance, they can make you self-conscious about your smile. If you are less likely to smile, you are more likely to develop depressive symptoms. It sounds crazy but it is clinically proven.
Cosmetics aside, you should worry about what other symptoms caused or are related to Black Triangles. If gum disease or dental health helped to cause the triangles, you are going to want to see your dentist and nip that problem in the bud; before it becomes any worse.
What can you do about Black Triangles?
1. See your Dentist- Get a regular cleaning and examination schedule in place.
2. Discuss options- Whether you are looking at hygienic restoration, dental care, or replacement tooth options, you have to start somewhere. Talk through options and ask questions.
3. Move forward- Your problem may be solved with a single visit and some composite dental bonding. It could also take months if you are looking at complete dental implant restorations. The important thing is that you start the ball rolling and take control over your dental health.