Black triangles appear between two teeth, along the gum line. Clinically known as open gingival embrasures, these triangular gaps form for a few different reasons. The shape of the teeth and the condition of the gum tissue are the ultimate determiners of whether or not black triangles will form, and some of these factors are beyond our control. While common and sometimes normal, black triangles could indicate an issue that needs treatment, whether this treatment involves dental intervention or a more comprehensive change in habits. Sometimes, black triangles form as a result of the natural degradation of the gum tissue as a person ages, and, while aging is certainly normal, there are measures people can take to maintain the health and integrity of the gums and prevent black triangles from progressing if they do develop. When black triangles form as a result of inflammation in the gums caused by gum disease, they are one of many indicators that dental treatment is needed. Black triangles could indicate that the bone has begun to degrade around a tooth or develop because of inflammation, and leaving them untreated will allow continued destruction and inflammation to wreak havoc on the teeth and all the oral tissues.
The gum recession that leads to black triangles can arise because of gum disease and can be aggravated by smoking or other contributing factors. Excessive friction, caused by aggressive, improper brushing or forceful flossing, can also contribute to gum recession, which is particularly concerning in people with gum tissue that is more delicate than average. Your dentist and dental hygienist can model the correct brushing and flossing style for you, and they can provide recommendations for cleaning products, methods, and tools that will help protect your gums. Most people think of black triangles as primarily an aesthetic concern, but in reality, black triangles can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease. These spaces between the teeth are the perfect traps for food debris, and they can accommodate a problematic amount of bacterial plaque and tartar. If you have black triangles, make sure to pay close attention to your oral hygiene, cleaning your teeth carefully and thoroughly and flossing all junctures with focus and caution. While some black triangles are considered normal, all black triangles should be monitored at routine dental checkups and diligently cleaned, along with the rest of the oral cavity.
In some cases, people with specific tooth shapes are more likely to develop black triangles. Rectangular teeth, which are parallel from their top to bottom edges, are unlikely to allow gaps near the gums. Oval teeth might create rounded gaps only at the bottoms of the teeth, and triangular teeth slope outward. Oval and triangular teeth are more prone to black triangles simply because of their shape, and black triangles exacerbated by gum recession may appear more severe in people with teeth shaped like this. Dentists can use a treatment called interproximal reduction, which involves shaving away a minimal amount of dental tissue, to help the teeth fit together more cohesively and reduce the appearance of black triangles. Dental bonding therapies can also help reduce the appearance and severity of black triangles, and, when black triangles form after orthodontic treatment, additional orthodontic treatments might be necessary to reverse these effects.