Definition and Causes of Open Contact - Open contact is a term used in dentistry to describe the space between adjacent teeth. - Open contacts can occur naturally or due to dental restorations. - Causes of open contacts include teeth erupting into a nonideal occlusion, shifting of teeth due to tooth loss, inadequately contoured dental restorations, poor oral hygiene practices, and lack of regular dental check-ups and cleanings.

Consequences of Open Contact - Open contacts can cause food packing or impaction, leading to pain. - Bacteria can accumulate in open contacts, increasing the risk of tooth decay. - Gum inflammation and periodontal diseases can develop due to open contacts. - Open contacts can affect the stability and alignment of adjacent teeth.

Importance of Oral Hygiene - Maintaining cleanliness of open contacts is crucial. - Dental floss is an essential tool for cleaning open contacts. - Regular brushing and flossing can prevent food packing and impaction. - Incorporating an oral hygiene protocol is necessary to address open contacts.

References - Section 51 - Restorative Contours provides information on open contacts. - Scully C's book, 'Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine,' discusses open contacts. - The dentistry article on open contacts is available on Wikipedia. - Additional information on open contacts can be found by expanding the stub article. - Open contacts are categorised under dentistry stubs and periodontal disorders.