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What is a Gummy Smile?

Known by your dentist as excessive gingival display, a gummy smile is simply where a smile reveals a large portion of the gum in the mouth. For many people, a gummy smile can have a negative effect on the way we perceive ourselves. While every smile is unique to the person, being unhappy with the appearance of your gums may lower self-confidence and have unfortunate consequences on your body image.

Gummy smiles are primarily aesthetic, meaning they only really affect your appearance rather than your health. However, they can be signals of an underlying condition such as jaw issues or an overbite, which can harm your ability to maintain good dental hygiene. For this reason, it is always a good idea to ask your dentist about your gums if you feel something does not look or feel right.

What Causes a Gummy Smile?

There are many possible causes for having a gummy smile. For example, you might have a gummy smile due to the shape of your jaw, gums or lips. Gummy smiles are often caused by any of the following conditions:

  • Worn, decayed teeth. If your teeth have decayed or been worn out excessively, the size of your gums might appear exaggerated. This means your gums will look disproportionately larger than your teeth.
  • Gingival hypertrophy, where your gums are naturally large or long in the mouth.
  • Short or hyperactive lip muscles, which cause your lips to expose more of your gum when smiling.

Whichever of these causes applies to you, chances are your gummy smile is hereditary. If you find that a close relative in your family has a gummy smile, it is more likely that the condition is being passed on genetically. It is also possible that you have inherited genes which can encourage the development of a gummy smile, even if none of your family shows it. For example, you might have inherited smaller teeth from one parent and a large jaw from another parent, making a gummy smile more likely.

Treatment for a Gummy Smile

While a gummy smile does not have any serious effects on your dental health, it can affect your appearance and your self-confidence. A simple solution to treating a gummy smile is gum reshaping. Carried out by your periodontist or dentist, this form of cosmetic dentistry can significantly boost your smile by reducing the excess gum tissue.

Gum reshaping, known professionally as gingival reshaping, is a simple yet efficient treatment. Most procedures last only 30-60 minutes and are quick and effective, with immediate results. Discomfort will be minimal, and the treatment overall has little impact on your day to day activities while healing.

Are you looking for gum reshaping in the Bowmanville Area?

Are you unhappy with your smile? Whether you are looking to learn more about gum reshaping treatments or are ready to give your smile an upgrade, get in contact with Bowmanville Dental. Our periodontists and dentists are experienced dental professionals who value the importance of a great smile. We can help answer any questions you have on gummy smiles and our treatment options available for you. Get in touch with us by calling (905) 697-9799 and schedule an appointment today. We look forward to hearing from you!

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