The presence of spaces between teeth, clinically known as a diastema, is a frequent observation in young children. This spacing is particularly common between the two upper front teeth, but it can occur anywhere in the dental arch. For parents, seeing these gaps often raises the question of whether this spacing is normal for baby teeth and if it will resolve on its own. This spacing is often an anticipated part of healthy dental development for most children. Roughly half of all children under the age of six exhibit some degree of gapping between their baby teeth.
Why Gaps Exist in Baby Teeth
The existence of spaces between baby teeth is a common and advantageous feature of a developing mouth. Primary teeth are considerably smaller than the permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. A key purpose of these gaps is to create the necessary room for the larger, adult teeth to erupt without crowding.
The jawbone is also growing and expanding during early childhood, and these gaps accommodate that growth. If baby teeth fit together perfectly with no spaces, it can sometimes indicate insufficient space to accommodate the full set of permanent teeth later on. The presence of spacing suggests a healthy proportion between the jaw size and the size of the teeth, and it is generally considered a healthy and temporary stage of dental maturation.
The Natural Closing Process
For the majority of children, the gaps between their baby teeth close up naturally without specific dental treatment. This resolution is directly linked to the eruption of the larger permanent teeth. The process typically begins when the primary teeth are shed and the adult incisors start to emerge, usually around age six.
As the permanent front teeth emerge, their greater width naturally reduces or eliminates the space that existed between the smaller baby teeth. A more significant change occurs later with the eruption of the permanent canine teeth, which typically arrive around ages 10 to 12. These canines erupt into the arch and exert a physical force that helps push the front teeth together, often closing any remaining midline gap. Dentists often prefer to wait until the full eruption of the permanent front teeth to determine if a gap is truly persistent.
When Gaps Persist
While most baby tooth gaps resolve, some gaps may persist into the permanent dentition, or new gaps may form due to other factors. If a gap is notably large or has not closed by the time the upper permanent front teeth and canines have fully erupted, it warrants an evaluation by a dental professional.
Structural Causes
One common structural reason for a persistent gap between the two upper front teeth is a thick or low-attaching labial frenum. This band of tissue connects the upper lip to the gum, and if it is oversized, it can physically prevent the teeth from coming together.
Behavioral and Developmental Factors
Behavioral factors can also cause or maintain a gap, such as a prolonged habit of thumb-sucking or a condition called tongue thrust. Tongue thrusting involves an incorrect swallowing pattern where the tongue pushes forward against the back of the front teeth, applying pressure that separates them over time. Furthermore, missing permanent teeth (congenital absence) or the presence of an extra tooth, known as a supernumerary tooth, can also create or maintain spaces.