What Causes Black Triangles?
What are Black Triangles, and what causes them? Anyone who has ever struggled with the shape and appearance of their smile can relate; sometimes it just does not look they way you want it to. With black triangles, small gaps appear in the corners of your teeth, where the gums intersect next to other teeth. Once you notice the small triangular shaped gaps, you cannot unsee them.
What Causes Black Triangles?
Most black triangles are prominent near the front facing teeth. Teeth towards the front of the mouth are typically “sharper” and tend to taper towards the gumline. As the gum tissues in this area recede, they expose the tapered root. This leads to the triangle shaped gap left behind. It is typically considered a cosmetic issue, however triangle gaps do leave the teeth exposed to bacterial growth, which is the leading cause of gum disease. Most gaps are traced back to either a positioning of the teeth naturally, or an advancement of gum disease and infection. A great majority of dental issues have underlying conditions related to dental hygiene, which is why your dentist is always telling you to take fastidious care of your mouth.
How to Care for Black Triangles
Begin by caring for your teeth and gums. Floss regularly after every meal, with careful attention to any spaces. The main concern of any gum recession is the accumulation of foodstuffs. When food accumulates it creates a surface for bacteria to grow and multiply. This bacteria enters your gumline, inflames your gums, which leads to further gum separation. Eventually leading to tooth loss and severe gum damage. Brush twice a day, use mouthwash, and most importantly–see your dentist and hygienist regularly for cleanings.
Restorative dentistry can help to care for your teeth, and prevent gum recession. There is not necessarily a way to reverse black triangles, but preventative work can be done on your part.
How Can You Repair Black Triangles?
1. Hygiene routine improvement can help to counteract the problems caused by black triangles. It also helps to protect you moving forward as you deal with the problem.
2. Periodontal work can be done to alter the tooth shape. Composite tooth like material can be added to fill in the area, protecting the gap from food particles and bacteria.
3. Gum stimulation, through Pinhole techniques, has been shown to activate the gum tissues and potentially restimulate tissue growth.
Periodontal Methods
After teeth have been altered or repaired, black triangles may appear. If teeth were crooked or overlapped, it may expose black triangles. Periodontist have a tried and true recovery plan that may include braces/Invisalign, tooth shaping, or gum alterations. Prior to periodontal procedures, some professionals can predict the appearance of black triangles, and formulate a plan before the procedure to limit their proliferation.
What Can You Do?
Begin by seeing your dental care team. Assess the current health of your teeth and gums, and investigate restorative hygiene practices. After this, your team can select which methods would be most appropriate for your individual situation. You do not have to live with black triangles, reach out to your dentist and begin the process of restoration.