Dr. Katie ToThe Wellness Dentist, CEO and Founder of Center for Wellness Dentistry and Wellness Dentist Institute.

Why I Prioritized Gum Health Over Fixing Black Triangles

27 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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In this segment of a dental health video, Dr. Katie To explains to a patient why the immediate focus is not on covering existing black triangles between teeth but on thickening the gum tissue around a compromised tooth. She outlines that the tooth is suffering from attachment loss and bone loss, and the primary objective is to build healthy, robust gingival tissue through a gum graft so the tooth can be retained longer. Dr. To also advises that, regardless of the toothbrush type—soft, hard, manual, or electric—the newly grafted tissue must be able to withstand normal brushing pressures. The overall message emphasizes prioritizing functional gum health over aesthetic correction to ensure long‑term tooth stability.

Chapters

I tell the truth. I'm not going to be able to cover the black triangles that you already have, but my concern right now isn't trying to cover the black triangles. My concern right now is how do I thicken up this tissue to help the attachment loss and the bone loss that you are already experiencing on this tooth? My objective for you now is to build healthy gum tissue so that you can hang on to this tooth for a longer amount of time. My objective for this tooth for you is going to be building this thick gum tissue, so whatever toothbrush you use. If you're using a soft, hard, whatever electric, that it's going to be able to withstand the pressures of whatever you're doing to it. So we did the gum graft.