Pediatric Dentistry
In kid words
"A diastema is just a gap between two teeth, and having one between your two front teeth is one of the most common places for it." Lots of kids have one. It can even mean there's extra room waiting for the bigger teeth still on their way in.
The parent version
Diastema is the dental term for a visible gap between two teeth, most classically the two upper front teeth, though it can appear between other teeth as well. In a young child who still has baby teeth, a gap like this is common, and mainstream dental sources generally describe it as a normal variation rather than a problem, sometimes even a useful sign that there is enough room in the jaw for the larger permanent teeth still to come.
Whether a specific gap is expected to stay, close on its own, or is simply worth watching a little longer is something to bring to your pediatric dentist rather than guess at home.
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Where you might hear it at our office
Diastema is exactly the kind of thing a growth check at a routine cleaning and exam is watching, alongside the rest of how your child's teeth and jaw are developing. Most gaps like this get mentioned in passing, simply part of a normal, developing smile, and your pediatric dentist will let you know if a particular one is worth a closer look down the road.
If another word from a visit is still a mystery, the rest of the dictionary is right here.
Related words
Related words: bite, eruption, dentition.
Parents ask us
Should we be worried about the gap between our child's front teeth?
Usually not. In a young child who still has baby teeth, a gap like this is common, and mainstream guidance often treats it as a normal, even useful, part of a developing smile. If you would like it looked at, mention it at your child's next checkup.
Does a diastema mean my child will need orthodontic treatment?
Not necessarily. Plenty of gaps close on their own as more teeth come in, and plenty of others simply stay part of a child's smile without ever needing anything done. Your pediatric dentist can tell you what a specific gap looks like for your child.
Why would a gap actually be a good sign?
A gap between baby teeth can mean there's enough room in a growing jaw for the bigger permanent teeth still on the way. It's one of the reasons a gap like this often gets watched calmly rather than treated as a concern.
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