Dentist Questions Dentist

Can flossing cause black triangle teeth?

I am a 30 year old male. I want to know if flossing can cause black triangle teeth?

6 Answers

No
Typically, not flossing will lead to recession and black triangles. Floss gently, but thoroughly and you should be fine.
Possibly, but only if you did it incorrectly for a long time and damaged the gum tissue repeatedly.
The answer is absolutely not! Back triangle teeth is cause by periodontal disease, the loss of gums and bone due to excess hardened plaque and bacteria. Proper brushing and flossing techniques can prevent periodontal disease. You will have to maintain a periodontal maintenance program if you already have periodontal disease.
Proper flossing can prevent it. If you have developed black triangle, it is likely you have either not been cleaning your teeth properly or you have a pathological bite the has not been corrected.

Alan B. Steiner, DMD

Flossing does NOT cause black triangles. You have open spaces that get filled with build-up. When you floss, you keep the gingiva happy, remove series from the space and it now looks open. You get black triangles several from having bone loss due to gingivitis or periodontitis or the contact of adjacent teeth is closer to the incisal edge and the gingival tissue cannot properly fill the space. Absolutely floss or it will get worse.