WHAT CAUSES A GUMMY SMILE?
A gummy smile is when there is excessive gum tissue showing when you smile. It can make patients feel self-conscious or feel that their smile is not attractive. Though there is no set definition of a gummy smile, a smile is typically considered gummy when 3 millimeters or more of gum tissue is visible when you smile. You have likely seen someone with too much gum showing when they smile, as it is not an uncommon problem.
Fortunately, there are a few ways to treat excessive gingival display the most common of which is gum contouring. A gummy smile is typically more common in women than men and can be caused by a number of things that we will discuss here.
What can cause a gummy smile?
Some common causes of a gummy smile include:
- Gingival hypertrophy, when gums are enlarged
- Vertical maxillary excess, an overgrown upper jaw causing the gum tissue to bulge
- An upper lip that is too short
- A hyperactive upper lip, when the lip lifts too much when smiling, thereby exposing too much gum tissue
- Worn or genetically short teeth
- Teeth that did not erupt fully through the gums
- Poor oral hygiene
For the most part, a gummy smile is genetic but sometimes, certain prescription medications can lead to an overgrowth of gum tissue. The tissue can also become inflamed and cover more tooth structure as a result of periodontal disease.
A gummy smile is not really anything that you can prevent from happening unless it is a direct result of periodontal disease. In that case, gum contouring can help restore your gum tissue to a healthy, natural state.
All the other causes tend to be related to the teeth, lips, and jaws which can greatly affect the aesthetics of your smile. There are treatments available to change the way your lips move when you smile or even, in very severe cases, reposition the jaw.
If you have a gummy smile that makes you self-conscious, speak with your Dentist so they can diagnose the direct cause of your gummy smile and present you with options for treatment. It may be easier than you think to give you a smile that you love to show off. Something as simple as gum contouring can make all the difference and is minimally invasive without a lot of healing time. A gummy smile can be treated so do not keep your smile from the world!
More on Gummy Smiles : Gummy Smile Treatments