In a generation and society we have now, social interactions have become more meaningful, and people laughing and smiling a lot in social events tells us that this is true. Most of the time, people do not see the way you smile; as long as you enjoy their stories and are having the time of your life with their company, that’s all that matters to them. However, it might be a different situation on your end, especially if you are self-conscious about your appearance and how your gums might show more than your teeth when you smile.

A gummy smile is something that usually is not an issue for a lot of people, but if you worry about yours and how it appears in photos or when you look at your reflection in the mirror, that’s something we need to take into consideration.

So how do we know how much gum is too much that it is time to consider Adawn gummy smile treatment? Is it something we can adjust or something we need to let go of and just accept what is?  

What Is a Gummy Smile?

Excessive gingival display, or what we know as a gummy smile, is what happens when your smile shows a significant presence of your gums, unusually more than it should. If we are to be a bit technical, dentists generally agree that a gummy smile is when more than the average two millimetres is what shows above your top teeth.

However, they also generally agree that having a gummy smile is not unhealthy, as it is only one of a lot of the smile types that define an individual. The issue is purely cosmetic; still, it can affect the confidence of a person, especially when they don’t feel like themselves when they see their photos, hindering their interactions with people and in social events.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

Like many things about our bodies that define who we are, a gummy smile often comes down to a mix of genetics and sometimes lifestyle habits that may cause a gummy smile. Here are some of the things that are common reasons for having that kind of smile type.

Genetic factors. Mostly, your DNA has a lot to answer for your gummy smile, especially because some families are simply born with more gum tissue or maybe a shorter upper lip that can make your gums more visible than others.

Abnormal tooth eruption. An abnormal tooth eruption means that teeth did not fully grow to the normal size that we know of, and this means they look shorter than they really are, making your gums appear more prominent than the rest of us.

Hyperactive upper lip. This concern is more of a muscle issue that can be controlled when you smile. A hyperactive upper lip means that your upper lip lifts higher than average, especially when you smile, so your gums get exposed more than necessary.

Jaw development issues. The gum line is more noticeable at times when you have a longer upper jaw, affecting how your face grows and develops.

Gum inflammation or swelling. Poor dental hygiene can cause diseases like gingivitis, so when inflamed, your gums might swell and become more prominent than usual.

Medications and health conditions. And some might be the cause of medications or hormonal changes, as they lead to how soft your tissues will behave, thus having a gummy smile.

But How Much Gum Should Show When You Smile?

There really is no universal rule as to how “normal” a smile should be; in fact, our smile differs with each person and is a part of our identity. Generally, society accepts a small strip of gum showing above your top teeth and considers this as the range of a typical and balanced smile.

There is a quick numbers guide on what constitutes a normal smile, and if your gums show over four millimetres above your teeth, by general standards, this is considered a gummy smile.

The Emotional and Social Side of a Gummy Smile

Authenticity for us Australians means that we are comfortable in our own skin and that the idea of “fixing” or adjusting a smile that is unique to us might seem unnecessary to some people. However, this is not about what others feel about the procedure but about what you feel.

Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile

Modern dentistry has given us lots of reasons to address the confidence issues we have, including having a gummy smile. Braces or clear aligners can help in repositioning your teeth to even your gum line; lengthening your crown can also reveal more of the structure of your tooth to make it look longer. Some options require a bit of a surgical procedure, like reshaping or removing your excess gums and even repositioning your lips slightly lower to make your smile more about showing your teeth and less about showing your gums.

But when should you consider treatment?

Choosing whether or not to treat a gummy smile is definitely up to you, as there is no health requirement or hindrance to do so, unless tied to a dental or orthodontic issue. Nevertheless, people should feel confident about themselves, and that alone is a major reason to push for treatment.

Natural Smiles vs. Cosmetic Smiles

Embracing natural beauty has been the trend ever since humanity began, and we understand that some people are not confident with the natural beauty they have. That’s okay—in fact, modern technology has made it easy for us to adjust to what we feel is authentic to our self. At the end of the day, the most attractive beauty is one that is genuine because you feel like yourself, and you own that confidence that is seen in the smile you exude.

This trend also means that cosmetic tweaks are not purely for vanity but for the confidence to enjoy everyday moments without hesitation. Dental care advancements have become so accessible to us that achieving a smile that we know would identify who we are is already within our reach.

Final Thoughts: How Much Gum Should Show When You Smile?

Let’s now circle back to our first question. Given all the technicalities and dental treatments available, at the end of the day, what matters is whatever makes you feel good about yourself. If you are happy with the way you look in photos and when you see your reflection in the mirror, there’s no reason to change anything. But if you want to explore the options available to you, there’s no problem in that as well because at the end of the day, none of them will involve compromising who you really are.

Published by HOLR Magazine