Every person has a distinct smile. While some people smile with just their lips, others tend to smile with their teeth. But there are a select few who smile with their gums. And even though all smiles are beautiful — not everyone is happy with their beaming face.
Be it because of yellow and crooked teeth or an intimidating gummy smile, the reason varies from person to person. However, those who have a very prominent gum-leaden smile are often self-conscious of the way they look, wondering how to get rid of their gummy smile. So, if you’re one of those people trying to reshape your smile, look no further. In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about gummy smiles and more.
Causes of Gummy Smile
A gummy smile, or an excessive gingival display, is when your smile shows too much of your gum area, especially above the top row of teeth. And even though it is a natural occurrence, without any damaging effects, it can serve as an obstruction for some. Here are a few major causes behind a gummy smile.
- Short teeth
Gums follow the natural shape of your teeth, which is why in case of improper tooth eruption or genetically short teeth, they can seem longer than they are - Overgrown gums
People who have a habit of mouth breathing are often the ones suffering from overgrown gums. Sometimes, neglecting your oral hygiene can also cause the gums to extend over your teeth, covering them in the process. - Hyperactive Lip Muscles
Hyperactivity in your upper lip muscles can make your smile appear a little too stretched out. This happens because the muscles pull the upper lip higher than normal, showing more gum area. - Disproportionate jaw
If your upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it could cause interference with your smile, making it seem like you’re smiling with your gums. - Excessive Gum Tissue
Some people naturally have a lot of gum tissues, causing their gums to spill over their teeth, disrupting their smile.
Is Gummy Smile Bad?
Surprisingly, no! A gummy smile has zero effect on your oral health, especially if it is a genetic occurrence. The only reason people tend to get it fixed is because of cosmetic reasons. There are no health-related issues with a gummy smile, only cosmetic.
How to Get Rid of a Gummy Smile?
While there are many different ways to get rid of a gummy smile, the best way to do so is through a professional gummy smile correction. Depending on the cause of the excessive gum display, the orthodontist creates a treatment plan customized for you.
For instance, if your gummy smile is because of thin lips, you may need dermal fillers to hide it. Whereas if it is because of overgrowth, gum contouring will help take some o the excess gum area away.
In A Nutshell
If you’ve been wanting to get rid of your gummy smile, try looking into personalized gummy smile correction. You can also reach out to Rock Creek Oral Surgery at (832) 930-7801 for more information or visit 14119 Grant Road, Suite 140, Cypress, TX 77429, near Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.