Many parents feel very concerned when they see that their child has gaps in their baby teeth. Are these tooth gaps normal? This is a question we get a lot at our Houston practice, especially from parents who want to make sure that everything is developing as it should. Let’s have a look at some of the causes behind gaps in teeth and when you should worry about them.
Gapped teeth in children are more common than you may think. Some common causes are:
If you have a toddler, you’ll see that almost all their teeth, especially the front ones, have gaps. This is because baby teeth naturally have a smaller size. It helps hold space for the adult teeth (that are larger in size) to erupt normally.
Between the ages of 6 and 12, kids go through what we call the “mixed dentition” phase. Both baby teeth and some of the adult teeth are present at this stage.
Because the jaw is also growing along, it’s common to see gaps in front teeth. Many parents in Houston tell us that some of their child’s teeth also look crooked in this phase.
The labial frenum is the tissue that connects the upper lip to the gums. If this tissue extends too far down, your little one may have a gap in their two front teeth (called midline diastema).
Does your child suck their thumb or finger frequently? Habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use may not seem harmful at first, but they can cause gaps in your child’s teeth if they persist for too long.
Tongue-thrusting is another habit some kids have that can affect dental alignment.
After losing a baby tooth, there would naturally be a space in that part of the mouth. But if the tooth is lost too early, the neighboring teeth start to shift. This creates visible gaps in teeth.
Gapped teeth are not always bad. In fact, some spacing in baby teeth is actually better than no spacing at all. It allows the larger adult teeth to emerge normally and reduces the chances of teeth crowding later on.
So in this case, most kids don’t need any treatment. Many gaps close naturally as the permanent teeth erupt, but some persist and may require orthodontic evaluation or other treatment.
However, your child may need to see a dentist if:
Our Houston pediatric dentist will check carefully and tell you whether you need to wait or consider orthodontic treatment.
Small gaps in baby teeth are pretty normal and often a healthy sign of growth. But if anything feels unusual to you, don’t hold back and consult our dentist at Aquario Dental right away. Contact our Wayside Drive or West Little York office today.
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