I’m a dentist – this is what it means if you have black triangles between your teeth
A dental expert has issued a health warning about the health risks of ‘black triangles’ between teeth and what to do if you notice them.
Anna Peterson, a dentist from Essex, took to TikTok to explain what the triangular spaces between teeth mean, but added that it can sometimes be “helpful”.
“Black triangles” are spaces between the bases of teeth that are usually caused by gum recession and can become up to half a centimeter wide. Open spaces can leave your gums vulnerable to bacteria from trapped food, which can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.
Anna advised her viewers to clean between their teeth “at least once a day” and called interdal brushes the best way to combat this problem.
However, her video received mixed reactions from viewers, with some questioning her advice and one person claiming to have noticed the ugly triangles after a visit to the dentist.
Essex dentist Anna Peterson (pictured) told how to get rid of “black triangles” between teeth.
Before the video, Anna refuted the idea that black triangles are caused solely by poor oral hygiene: “Black triangles are not always caused by poor brushing,” she said.
“Sometimes black triangles are a sign that inflammation has decreased after periodontal treatment – and that’s a good thing! However, to avoid getting black triangles, watch this video.”
Standing in what looked like her own office and wearing formal dentist attire, Anna began by showing off her own teeth, dazzlingly white, for comparison.
The video then showed a close-up of the bottom row of teeth, showing black triangles. A striking contrast to Anna’s pearly whites.
Between the anonymous man’s middle four teeth lay small black triangles that seemed to be created by space rather than dirt: “This is what a black triangle looks like,” Anna said.
“It’s really just a space between the teeth and the gum that is usually caused by the gum receding toward the tooth.”
“Because teeth are triangular in shape, there is a little space at the neck of the tooth, and usually the gum fills that space, as it does in my teeth.”
The expert zoomed in on her own teeth to see the patch of healthy pink gums underlying her upper teeth.
She took to TikTok to explain what the triangular spaces between teeth mean, but added that it can sometimes be “helpful.”
“If you don’t brush your teeth at least once a day, your gums may recede,” she continued.
“There are many different things you can use to clean between your teeth, such as interdental brushes, water floss, or regular floss.
“But I strongly recommend that you use interdental brushes because clinically they are the most effective way to remove plaque bacteria.”
Interdental brushes are tiny dental devices that can reach just under the gum line and reach areas that a regular toothbrush cannot reach.
For viewers who were still stumped after DIY dental work, Anna advised them to seek professional help.
Anna advised her viewers to clean between their teeth “at least once a day” and called interdal brushes the best way to combat this problem.
“Have them check to see if they fit any size in between, and if not, just use dental floss or a water flosser.”
She concluded: “And this is how you can prevent black triangles from appearing between your teeth.”
The video has since proven to be very popular, attracting over 250,000 views and almost 100 comments.
Replying to the video, a confused user wrote: “Do interdental brushes cause this? I always worry that this will cause it.” Anna promised to find the answer.
Meanwhile, one person called interdental brushes “torture”: “Interdental brushes are torture, the metal is very painful on my teeth. I use dental floss. However, I can’t get superfloss between my teeth.”
One person blamed a visit to the dentist for their black triangles: “I only got one after the dentist cleaned it.”
Someone else asked: “Yeah, but what do you do when you have triangles?”
And when asked how to “close” the triangular slits, Anna answered: “There are many ways!” In my opinion, the best way is to use composite bonding, and I have performed several cases on patients.”