Your smile is one of the first things people see when they meet you. However, many people are reluctant to show off their smiles due to the size and proportion of their gums.
A gummy smile is when a large portion of your gums are visible when you smile or open your mouth. While this is a common condition, some people dislike their appearance.
If your gums show when smiling, you might wonder why and how to make them less visible. Let’s dive into what causes a gummy smile and what you can do about it.
What is a Gummy Smile?
A gummy smile happens when your gums appear proportionally larger than your teeth. It is also called an excessive gingival display or a gingival smile.
There’s no official medical definition of a gummy smile. Your own perceptions and preferences broadly define that. In general, if your smile has over 4 millimeters of gums exposed, that is considered to be a gummy smile. You might consider yourself to have a gummy smile if you have relatively small teeth, leaving more gums than teeth exposed when you open your mouth.
This condition is more common than you might think. Currently, 10.5 to 29% of young adults have this trait. Interestingly, gummy smiles are more common in women than men, although anyone can develop one.
In some cases, a gummy smile can be a result of oral health issues, which can lead to swollen or big gums. However, in many cases, gummy smiles are purely an aesthetic concern.
It’s very common for children to have gummy smiles as their permanent teeth come in and their mouths adjust. However, many children grow out of it as they get older and their mouths develop.
Why Do I Have a Gummy Smile?
There are many reasons why people develop this condition. Here are some of the most common gummy smile causes.
Genetics
Why do some people have a gummy smile? For many people, the appearance of their smile is pure genetics. Many facial features and oral health conditions are inherited family traits. That means that if your parents, siblings, or other relatives have a gummy smile, there’s a good chance that you could develop one, too.
Many facial characteristics emphasize the appearance of the gums. For example, having a combination of small teeth and a large jaw can make your gums look proportionally large. Since the shape of your face is inherited from your parents, there’s not much you can do to change it.
Some people also inherit a short or hyperactive upper lip from their family members. A hyperactive upper lip moves up when you smile, disproportionately exposing your gums.
The way your adult teeth come in is also partially determined by genetics. For example, some families are more likely to develop altered passive eruption, where the gums cover an excessive amount of your enamel after the teeth come in.
Finally, genetics can also cause a condition called vertical maxillary excess. This happens when the upper jawbones grow longer than usual, causing the gums to protrude.
Poor Dental Hygiene
In some cases, a lack of dental hygiene results in oral health issues that cause the gums to protrude. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, bacteria will build up around your gums. If the problem isn’t addressed, that bacteria will cause inflammation, eventually leading to gum disease. Poor oral health is also associated with many chronic health conditions, like heart disease and diabetes, so it’s imperative to have professional dental cleanings twice yearly.
This inflammation can give the gums a puffy, swollen appearance, making them look more prominent in your mouth. Periodontitis can also cause gums to bleed frequently, making them look red and shiny.
To avoid this, make sure to keep up with a healthy dental hygiene routine at home. Follow your dentist’s instructions for flossing and dental care closely to keep your mouth healthy.
Medication Side Effects
Some medications also have side effects that can affect the shape and appearance of the gums. These medications can cause gum overgrowth around your teeth, resulting in a gummy smile. If these side effects aren’t addressed, it can lead to gum disease and other oral health problems. That is because it’s very easy for food and bacteria to get stuck in the gum overgrowth, which leads to swelling and irritation.
Some medications that cause this problem include immunosuppressants, epilepsy treatments, and medicines for high blood pressure and heart disease. If you’re taking one of these medications and are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, talk to your dentist and doctor about alternative treatment options to mitigate these side effects.
Poor Jaw Alignment
The shape and alignment of your jaw can also affect your gums’ appearance. If your upper jaw sticks out further than your bottom jaw, it can make the gums on your upper teeth appear more prominent when you smile. In extreme cases, this looks like oversized, big gums and small teeth. Working with an orthodontist can help you correct poor jaw alignment and change the look of your smile.
Hormonal Changes
Changes to your hormones can affect your gum health, giving you the appearance of a gummy smile. This is because more hormones like estrogen and progesterone increase the blood flow to the gums.
Some women experience gummy smiles and other oral health changes during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. In most cases, your gums will return to normal after pregnancy as the hormones shift back to normal.
Wear and Tear
The enamel on your teeth can slowly wear down over time, making the teeth look smaller. That can make the gums look prominent, resulting in a gummy smile.
There are many reasons why your enamel can wear down over time. Many people damage the enamel as a result of chronic conditions like bruxism (teeth grinding) or chronic acid reflux disease. Consuming highly acidic foods and drinks in large quantities can also cause the enamel to wear down faster.
What Can You Do About a Gummy Smile?
Understanding what causes a gummy smile can help you and your dentist find the right treatment options. Even if your gummy smile is not due to oral health problems, you may still opt to correct it so you can feel more comfortable and confident in your appearance.
If you’re wondering how to get rid of a gummy smile, many procedures and treatments can work. If your gummy smile is due to poor oral hygiene, scaling and root planing treatments can remove the buildup of plaque and tartar below the gum line that is causing irritation. Patients must keep up with at-home oral health care to maintain these results.
In other cases, a gummy smile is simply due to the shape of the mouth and other genetic factors. The protruding appearance of the gums won’t cause any health issues but could affect your self-confidence. In this case, surgical treatment could be a good option. Your doctor will use a scalpel to create the desired gum line.
The least invasive form of gum treatment is laser gum reshaping. Your doctor will use a small laser to remove excess gum tissue and create a more aesthetically pleasing gum line.
Having very small teeth can also give you the appearance of a gummy smile. In this case, veneers can extend the length of the teeth. Veneers can also correct other imperfections present in the teeth. Dr. Rashti uses porcelain veneers to create a beautiful and natural-looking smile.
Take Control of Your Oral Health at MR Dental Aesthetics
MR Dental Aesthetics is the leading Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist offering innovative gummy smile treatments. Dr. Rashti is a health-focused cosmetic dental provider with a caring and personalized approach. She prioritizes oral health and function before addressing any cosmetic procedure.
Dr. Rashti sees every patient individually to ensure everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and privacy. If you struggle with a fear of the dentist, you’re in good hands — Dr. Rashti understands your concerns and takes care to provide a comfortable experience with one-on-one treatment.
If you’re unhappy with your gummy smile, gummy smile correction and periodontal treatment can help restore your confidence. Changing the shape and proportion of the gums while addressing any underlying health issues will give you the radiant smile you’ve always dreamed of. Contact us today to schedule an appointment or learn more about your treatment options.
