What Causes Black Triangles
Dental embrasures, also commonly known as “black triangles,” are small triangles that appear between two teeth, making the space between them obvious. In more technical language, these are the interproximal spaces located in the middle of each tooth. Normally they are not so visible to others, but they can become more visible you smile if they are present in your dentition. They are usually a common phenomenon in people over the age of 35 and are mainly due to causes related to poorly treated periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis.
How do I know if I have dental embrasures?
If you're wondering if you have black triangles, you can quickly identify them by following these steps:
* Stand in front of a mirror to see your teeth up close.
* Retract your upper and lower lips to form a deep smile.
* Look at your teeth. If they are aligned and without distance between them, you do not suffer from puffiness. However, if you notice empty areas in the shape of a black triangle, you have dental embrasures.
Why do black triangles appear?
As we have already mentioned, dental embrasures usually appear as a result of poorly treated periodontal diseases. Most periodontal disease is a result of improper dental hygiene. This gum inflammation is caused by toxins in the dental plaque, which lead to an ongoing bacterial infection. The bacterial infection invades the gum tissues and creates deep pockets between the teeth and the gums.
However, this is not the only cause of dental embrasures. Here are the most common causes of dental embrasures:
Triangular-shaped teeth
If your teeth are triangular, or wider at the top than the bottom, it's harder for them to stay together. This means that the empty areas between them cannot be completely covered by the gums.
Gingival recession
This happens due to a buildup of bacterial plaque in the mouth. The tartar adheres to the teeth and gums, and this same tartar makes it harder for you to see the actual shape and condition of your teeth, which is why dental embrasures appear.
Diastemas
Diastemas are gaps in teeth that are wider than 0.5 millimeters and are usually naturally occurring. While diastemas themselves are not a medical problem, wide gaps in your teeth can make your teeth more vulnerable to gum disease and tooth problems. Black triangles can occur due to the space between two neighboring teeth creating a space for germs to infect your gum tissue, causing embrasures to appear.
Black Triangles can also be accompanied by other problems related to the occlusion or the alignment of the teeth. This may be due to genetic causes, microdontia and agenesis, age, periodontitis or dental crowding.
What to do to prevent black triangles?
Dental embrasures are prevented like any other periodontal disease: with oral hygiene habits and regular visits to the dentist. It is always advisable to go to your trusted dentist every six months to carry out a thorough cleaning and detect this type of pathology in time.