“Do gaps in teeth get bigger with age?”
I am a 22 year old male. I want to know if gaps in teeth get bigger with age?
7 Answers
The teeth can move, especially if there is grinding or clenching.
They usually don’t once you have finished growing, but they can. Increased spacing can a sign of periodontal diseases or malocclusion. If you notice that your teeth are shifting or spreading apart, please see your dentist.
Not usually. Moving the teeth together can sometimes contribute to very undesirable side effects. Gaps set you aside and make you special. Be proud of them.
The majority of gaps between front teeth are:
caused by habit (placing your tongue against your upper or lower teeth front teeth when you talk or swallow or thumb sucking. Sometimes there is a small mucle between your two front teeth that is a little thicker/longer. This can be helped with a minor surgical procedure. GUM DISEASE FROM POOR HOME CARE CAN INCREASE THE SPACE. YOUR TEETH ARE SURROUNDED BY BONE AND TISSUES. IF YOU ARE NOT FLOSSING CORRECTLY OR BRUSHING CORRECTLY DAILY AND GUM DISEASE WEARS AWAY THE ATTACHED GINGIVA AND STARTS WEARING AWAY YOUR TISSUE AND BONE SURROUNDING YOUR TEETH. AS THE BONE AND TISSUE ARE ATTACKED, THERE IS LESS BONE TO SUPPORT YOUR TEETH. (YOUR TONGUE IS A MUSCLE. AND YOUR TEETH ARE IN BONE) YOUR TONGUE (A MUSCLE) WINS. CHILDREN AND YES, THERE ARE ADULTS WHO SUCK THEIR THUMBS OR KEEP PUSHING THEIR TONGUE
AGAINST THEIR FRONT TEETH. WITH GUM DISEASE AND POOR MOUTH CARE THE PROBLEMS CAN BECOME WORSE.
caused by habit (placing your tongue against your upper or lower teeth front teeth when you talk or swallow or thumb sucking. Sometimes there is a small mucle between your two front teeth that is a little thicker/longer. This can be helped with a minor surgical procedure. GUM DISEASE FROM POOR HOME CARE CAN INCREASE THE SPACE. YOUR TEETH ARE SURROUNDED BY BONE AND TISSUES. IF YOU ARE NOT FLOSSING CORRECTLY OR BRUSHING CORRECTLY DAILY AND GUM DISEASE WEARS AWAY THE ATTACHED GINGIVA AND STARTS WEARING AWAY YOUR TISSUE AND BONE SURROUNDING YOUR TEETH. AS THE BONE AND TISSUE ARE ATTACKED, THERE IS LESS BONE TO SUPPORT YOUR TEETH. (YOUR TONGUE IS A MUSCLE. AND YOUR TEETH ARE IN BONE) YOUR TONGUE (A MUSCLE) WINS. CHILDREN AND YES, THERE ARE ADULTS WHO SUCK THEIR THUMBS OR KEEP PUSHING THEIR TONGUE
AGAINST THEIR FRONT TEETH. WITH GUM DISEASE AND POOR MOUTH CARE THE PROBLEMS CAN BECOME WORSE.
Hello,
Gaps between teeth (diastemas) can get bigger with age. To know where the gaps will get bigger with relative certainty, it would be helpful to know what has been causing the gaps.
Gaps between teeth are formed from a variety of different things from overgrowth of the jaw, large frenum (muscular gum attachment under the lip) pulling on the gums, teeth tipped out too far for one reason or another, or simply the need of a retainer. Which ever the reason, teeth balance the forces in the mouth. If the gaps between teeth are caused by the overgrowth of the jaw it is less likely that the gaps will get bigger as the jaws do not grow much after age 22. However, if there is a frenum pulling on the gums and a retainer is needed, the gaps are more likely to get bigger with age. The best thing someone can do for themselves is to have a free consultation with a dentist/orthodontist and discuss the likelihood of the gaps growing. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
Gaps between teeth (diastemas) can get bigger with age. To know where the gaps will get bigger with relative certainty, it would be helpful to know what has been causing the gaps.
Gaps between teeth are formed from a variety of different things from overgrowth of the jaw, large frenum (muscular gum attachment under the lip) pulling on the gums, teeth tipped out too far for one reason or another, or simply the need of a retainer. Which ever the reason, teeth balance the forces in the mouth. If the gaps between teeth are caused by the overgrowth of the jaw it is less likely that the gaps will get bigger as the jaws do not grow much after age 22. However, if there is a frenum pulling on the gums and a retainer is needed, the gaps are more likely to get bigger with age. The best thing someone can do for themselves is to have a free consultation with a dentist/orthodontist and discuss the likelihood of the gaps growing. Hope this helps.
My best to you!
William F. Scott IV, DMD
They might, especially if you develop gum disease.
Yes, can happen for any number of reasons.
