Proper oral hygiene plays a vital role in a person’s self-esteem and confidence. Think about it, if you lack the confidence to smile or even talk due to dental imperfections and problems, you might end up withdrawing or isolating yourself. Beyond societal factors, poor oral health can also lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Some issues, however, require more than just regular toothbrushing and regular dentist visits as part of preventative dental care.
What is diastema or gapped teeth?
Gaps between teeth can happen anywhere in the mouth, but the most common occurs between the two front teeth. Diastema is the clinical term for this gap and may be due to genetics, missing teeth, and oversized frenum. If the teeth are too small, this condition can also happen.
Most of the time, gapped teeth are a cosmetic rather than a health problem and may be fixed through orthodontic treatments. In more serious cases, however, this can be due to gum disease. An infection, for example, can affect your jawbone and a tooth may have to be extracted, resulting in tooth loss.
What are the effects of gapped teeth?
People with gaps in their front teeth may feel self-conscious when interacting with others. They feel embarrassed and may avoid smiling so as not to expose the gap. Gaps can also lead to crooked or crowded teeth that can affect a person’s bite. The space between the teeth may prevent other teeth from coming through.
Can clear aligners fix gapped teeth?
Clear aligners are orthodontic treatments used to treat diastema, with Invisalign as one of the more popular brand names. A flexible thermoplastic material is used to create the aligner. Unlike dental braces, aligners are more transparent. People who prefer not to draw attention to their teeth would opt for this dental treatment.
Aside from it being almost invisible, a clear aligner is also easier to clean. It’s removable and doesn’t trap food particles the way braces do. You can also eat anything you want because you can remove the aligners before meals. Given the benefits of using clear aligners, consider consulting with an Invisalign dentist. Once the gap is fixed, you’ll feel more comfortable and more confident. Suffice to say, it will bring positive changes into your life.
Whatever caused the gapped teeth, there are treatments that you can explore. You don’t need to live your life feeling self-conscious and less confident. Dental Spot offers services that can help restore and transform your smile discreetly.
