The common term for the dark, angular gaps that appear at some people’s gum lines, usually between the front teeth, is, conveniently, black triangles. These gaps can appear for a few different reasons, and they won’t go away on their own. If you notice black triangles developing in your mouth, see your dentist right away. Sometimes black triangles form because of gum disease, which can be extremely destructive if left untreated. Other times, black triangles develop because of improper brushing and flossing techniques; people with unusually delicate gum tissue should pay special attention to their hygiene methods and make sure to see their dentists regularly. While black triangles won’t go away on their own, they can usually be managed with treatment and a change of habits.
Because black triangles don’t hurt, it’s easy to assume that the only issues they cause are cosmetic. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. These sometimes-sizable gaps certainly are more prone to unattractive staining, but they can also be perfect targets for trapped food and plaque buildup, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay if not thoroughly and consistently addressed. Keeping the oral cavity clean can help manage black triangles, and brushing and flossing won’t cause black triangles to worsen when these actions are performed correctly. Protecting the gum tissue with gentle-yet-thorough brushing and flossing techniques can keep black triangles from worsening while keeping the oral cavity clean. If you smoke, consider quitting; the sucking action of smoking, in combination with inhaling dry, hot chemicals, can cause the gums to shrink away from the teeth and expose the tooth roots to infection that goes deeper than black triangles.
When black triangles are caused by gum disease, periodontal treatment that reduces inflammation in the gums can diminish the appearance of the black triangles. For patients who elect to undergo cosmetic treatments to make their black triangles go away, any gum or periodontal disease that is present must be treated and managed before cosmetic treatments can safely be performed. Some cosmetic treatments, like composite resin bonding, use non-surgical methods to build up the appearance of the tooth or gums with dental resins; while this is non-invasive, treatment can take several months. Porcelain veneers are somewhat more invasive, requiring the resurfacing of the natural tooth to accommodate the thin veneer, but they provide a celebrity-grade smile. These thin sheets of tooth-colored porcelain are bonded to the fronts of the teeth and can last up to 20 years. When appropriate, orthodontic treatments like braces might be used to get rid of black triangles, especially when the black triangles have formed because of a different dental or orthodontic treatment. Finally, more and more dentists are using hyaluronic acid injections to rejuvenate the gum tissue, providing a relatively painless treatment with a quick recovery time. While this treatment is still relatively new, it is proving to be very popular with patients who seek to diminish the appearance of their black triangles and restore the beauty of their smile. The best treatment for your black triangles will depend on the reason they developed in the first place, and your dentist is your best resource for making your black triangles go away.