Five Common Myths About Tooth Gap

Did you know that one of the most common myths about tooth gap is that it can be closed with a simple procedure? Yes, this is one of the many myths about tooth gap. Today, I want to set some things straight, so in this post, I am going to tell you the truth about tooth gap and dispel five common myths about tooth gap.

Myth #1: Tooth gap can be fixed and closed

Truth: Tooth gap, also known as a diastema, is a gap between two teeth that cannot be closed without dental surgery.

Myth #2: Tooth gap is not common

Truth: Over 75% of people have some sort of tooth gap. It's actually estimated that around 35% of people have some kind of tooth gap. That's a lot! A lot of people just don't realize it's a thing, so they think they're special when really they're just normal.

Myth #3: Tooth gap means you have bad teeth

Truth: No way! Nothing about having a tooth gap means anything about the state of your oral health. As long as you keep up a good dental hygiene routine, your tooth gap will not affect your oral health at all. If anything, it could be helpful because it makes it easier to brush between teeth!

Myth #4: If you have tooth gaps, you should get them fixed as soon as possible

Truth: While there isn't any medical harm from having tooth gaps, if they bother you, it's fine to get them fixed—but they don't *need* to be fixed.

Myth #5: You can fix your own tooth gaps at home with DIY methods found on the internet

Truth: If you try this, you will probably damage your teeth and cause yourself a lot more pain than what you started with

Myth #6: People with tooth gaps are more likely to have children with tooth gaps.

While this is true in mice (according to one scientific study), it hasn't been proven true in humans yet! So take comfort in knowing that even if you do have children someday, they might not inherit your tooth gap.

Myth #7: The tooth gap is painful or causes people to speak with a lisp.

In reality, the tooth gap is just an empty space that really doesn't do much of anything besides look cool—and can even be filled in with a dental implant if you want!

Myth #8: People with tooth gaps are generally more intelligent than the general population.

This myth was widely circulated after a study found that people with tooth gaps generally had larger brains. However, it turned out that this was because larger-brained people were also more likely to have tooth gaps—not because there was any causal connection between the two things.

Myth #9: Tooth gaps are only found in humans.

In fact, tooth gaps are quite common in many different species of animals! You may have seen them in horses, cats, and dogs—but they can also be found among birds, crocodiles, elephants, and many other species.

Myth #10: Tooth gaps will cause your teeth to be misaligned or crooked.

Truth: Tooth gaps can't cause your teeth to shift out of alignment, since they don't affect any other areas of your mouth.

However, tooth gaps can indeed make your smile appear crooked. If you have a gap between two teeth and those two teeth aren't straight, that gap will make them look more crooked than they actually are.

Myth #11: Having a tooth gap means you need orthodontic treatment like braces or Invisalign.

Truth: Again, no—it doesn't mean you need orthodontic treatment. At least not entirely for the sake of closing the gap.

If you're interested in getting orthodontic treatment for other issues with your teeth and/or bite, then you can potentially close that gap as a part of that treatment (though it's important to note that this is not guaranteed.) But if you just have a tooth gap and nothing else wrong with your teeth, closing the gap would not require any kind of dental treatment at all—just cosmetic surgery.

Some Facts
Myth: My tooth gap makes me look weird.

Fact: Some of the most iconic figures in history had a tooth gap! Think of Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, Anna Paquin and Lauren Hutton, just to name a few. These people have no problem expressing themselves through their smiles—and neither should you!

Myth: My tooth gap is going to get bigger over time. Fact: Tooth gaps aren't something that changes over time—they're pretty much fixed

Conclusion:

There are many views that are given by people with regard to this gap. Some people say that it can be harmful to your smile. Whereas some other say that it will cause you some type of disadvantage in future. None of this speculation is true.
I hope these myth-busting tips help you keep smiling without looking too awkward at the office or amongst friends.