It is normal for spaces to appear between teeth during the different stages of dental development. There is no need to be alarmed if you notice that your child is developing spaces between his/her baby teeth. In fact, this is actually a good sign since permanent teeth are larger and require more space to erupt and align properly. Even when permanent teeth erupt, some gaps may be present between the top incisors before the eruption of canines. This stage is usually referred to as the “ugly duckling stage”, and usually resolves when the permanent canines come down at about 12 years of age. If the gaps persist after this age this means they will probably remain and will not close on their own.

Some individuals have spaces or gaps only between the upper incisors in the middle while others have gaps between all teeth. No single cause of dental spacing has been determined but it seems that this problem is more common in some ethnicities.

Spaces between teeth in the absence of other problems do not cause any functional problems nor do they increase the risk of tooth decay. The problem is mainly cosmetic and treatment is sought to improve appearance. If teeth are narrow or small with only small spaces in between, porcelain veneers may be a viable option. On the other hand, if the teeth are normally sized and/or if the spaces are too wide then this option should be avoided and orthodontic treatment is the best treatment option. Invisalign clear aligners are very effective if spaces are small and if the bite is acceptable, while braces are more effective if spaces are larger or if other problems are present and need to be addressed.

Sometimes spaces start developing between the permanent teeth which were not spaced before. This is an alarming sign indicating abnormal tooth movement that may be caused by periodontal disease. You should consult your dentist if you notice any unusual tooth movement.