Why Do I Have Black Triangles Between My Teeth?

Black triangles between your teeth? Noticing you’re developing these spaces between your teeth can be worrying. Also known as “open gingival embrasures,” they can be both an aesthetic and oral health concern — understanding more about them is the first step towards a healthier, more confident smile.

Here, your Brooklyn, NY orthodontist talks about what causes black triangles in your teeth and the different options dental professionals offer for getting them fixed.

What Causes Black Triangle Teeth?

If the smile reflecting back at you in the mirror has small, triangular spaces between the teeth, you likely have open gingival embrasures. These empty spaces near the gumline can happen with your top or bottom teeth and develop for a variety of reasons. And if you’re mostly concerned with how they look, it’s good to note that black triangles are also not the best for your oral health. These gaps provide more places for plaque buildup and food debris, making diligent cleaning between teeth more challenging. This can, in turn, lead to a higher risk of cavities and gum disease.

So what causes black triangles in teeth? The most common causes include:

1. Gum Recession: Here’s something you might’ve not known about your smile — our gums naturally recede as we age. As they recede, the space between teeth becomes more visible, sometimes creating the appearance of black triangles between your teeth.
2. Bone Loss: Bone loss is another issue we face (in our face!) as we age. The jawbone that holds our teeth shrinks as we get older, leading to a reduction in gum tissue. In turn, that increases the spaces between our teeth.
3. Orthodontic Treatment: The goal of orthodontic treatment like the modern braces, Invisalign®, or Spark™ Clear Aligners we offer at Fresh Orthodontics is always a beautifully-aligned and healthy smile. But sometimes your new teeth alignment also results in some small, triangular-shaped gaps between teeth, depending on tooth shape.
4. Natural Tooth Shape: Teeth shape varies from person to person. Some people naturally have more triangular-shaped teeth that create inversely triangular gaps at the gumline.
5. Aggressive Brushing: We’re all for diligent brushing… but brushing too hard can wear away gum tissue over time, leading to black triangle gaps between your teeth.

How to Fix Black Triangle Teeth

You’ll be happy to know that there are several ways to fix black triangle teeth. The best approach? It depends on the cause and severity of your gaps, and a consultation with your dentists or orthodontist will help you figure out which solution is right for you.

The most common ways for fixing open gingival embrasures include:

1. 1. Orthodontic Treatment
   As we mentioned above, it’s true that orthodontics can be a cause for black triangles appearing between your teeth. However, orthodontic treatment can also fix teeth with black triangle gaps between them. Maybe you had braces a long time ago and you’re now seeing black triangles appearing between your teeth. Or you had orthodontics recently and a combination of your tooth shapes and new alignment and spacing has revealed a few black triangle gaps.Whichever the case, a skilled and experienced orthodontist like Dr. Khanna can reduce or eliminate the appearance of black triangles. Braces or clear aligners can help fix the misalignments that cause black triangles while retaining an acceptable and healthy space between your teeth.
2. 2. Gum Grafting
   If significant gum recession is the main cause for the black triangles between your teeth, your dental professional might recommend gum grafting. This surgical procedure involves taking tissue from another part of your mouth and grafting it onto the receded areas to cover the exposed gaps.
3. 3. Composite Bonding
   Composite bonding involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the teeth so their shape takes up more space and fills in the gaps. This is a minimally invasive procedure that can provide immediate results. It’s effective for small gaps caused by the natural shape of your teeth.
4. 4. Porcelain VeneersPorcelain veneers are another option for fixing black triangle teeth. Veneers are custom-made, thin shells that cover the front surface of your teeth, providing a new appearance to your smile and closing any gaps.
5. 5. Improving Your Oral Hygiene Practices
   Leveling up your oral hygiene routine can help prevent further gum recession and bone loss. Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush if you haven’t been using one and brush extra gently. Better yet, invest in an electric toothbrush as your go-to — an 11-year study showed that participants who used an electric toothbrush had 18% less tooth decay than those who brushed with a manual one.Make sure you’re flossing daily and consider adding a water flosser which is effective at removing plaque and food debris along the gumline. A fluoride mouthwash helps swish out lingering bacteria and strengthens tooth enamel. And keep up your bone density by ensuring you eat foods with plenty of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D.

A Fresh Approach to Black Triangles In Your Teeth

If you’re wondering how to fix the black triangles in your teeth, reach out to your award-winning Brooklyn orthodontist for a consultation at our bright and friendly Park Slope office. Our tech-forward, modern approach at Fresh Orthodontics means we can design a lasting orthodontic treatment that allows you to say “goodbye” to black triangles in your teeth and reveal the perfect smile you’ve always wanted!