Why Is Your Smile Gummy?

Dentist Blog

For some people, the shape and size of their gums inhibit their smile. You can have perfectly straight teeth but feel self-conscious about your smile when your gums protrude. This can make your smile seem too "gummy." If this is something that bothers you, it is important that you understand why this happens so you know if there is anything you can have done to fix the issue. Here are some reasons why your gums may be more prolific.

You Have Excess Gum Tissue

If you feel like your smile is too gummy, you may have more gum tissue than other people. Excess gum tissue can obscure the top half of the teeth, making the teeth seem smaller. You can have this issue corrected with a surgical procedure that removes the excess tissue and exposes more of your teeth to make them appear larger.

Your Teeth Have Not Come Through the Gum

You may also have a gummy smile when your teeth are not fully erupted. The teeth typically are fully erupted by the time you are a young adult, but they can sometimes remain partially in the gums, making the gums seem larger. Your cosmetic dentist can resolve this issue by bonding your teeth or placing veneers on the teeth.

You Have a Misaligned Jaw

If your bite is off or not aligned properly, it can make your teeth seem larger and therefore gummier. Good jaw alignment is critical to good oral health but also is important to the appearance of the teeth as well. If your upper jaw is aligned in a more forward position, it can make your teeth and gums appear larger than they actually are. The only way to fix this issue is to have your jaw realigned with surgery. The doctor will realign the jaw into its proper placement to make the teeth appear in their proper position.

You Have an Upper Lip Issue

You might think your smile looks too gummy, but you may actually have an issue with your upper lip. The hypermobility of the upper lip occurs when the lip rises higher than usual when you smile. A cosmetic dentist can help treat this issue with Botox injections to paralyze the upper lip muscles and help them relax. This will prevent the rising of the lip when you smile. If you want, you may want to undergo a surgical procedure that stabilizes the lip.

Reach out to a cosmetic dentist like Dan Czapek, D.M.D. to learn more.

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29 December 2022

Mouth Rinses Are Not Just for Bad Breath

I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.