Gummy smile: what is it and what causes it?

The smile is one of the most characteristic features of a person. We all stand out in different ways and sometimes many do so with their smile. One case that is often considered unaesthetic, even though it is not a health problem, is the gummy smile. Fortunately, there are dental treatments to correct it.

What is the gummy smile?

A gummy smile is one in which more gum than usual is shown when smiling, usually when there is an exposure of the upper gum of more than 3 or 4 mm in the case of women and more than 2 mm in men. It usually appears in childhood or adolescence and eventually becomes more evident in adulthood.

Why does the gummy smile occur?

There are multiple reasons why a person may have this type of smile, and in many cases they are related to the teeth, bones and/or muscles. These are some of the most common ones:

• Upper jaw forward: Sometimes, the upper jaw grows longer compared to the lower jaw, which makes it longer and, therefore, more gum is visible when smiling.
• Altered passive eruption: In some cases, the teeth do not erupt completely, and part of the gum covers more of the crown of the tooth. The teeth appear shorter and the gum is more visible.
• Over-eruption of the upper teeth: If the upper teeth grow longer than usual because they do not touch well with the lower teeth, the gum may be more exposed when smiling.
• Short or very active upper lip: Some people have a shorter upper lip or a lip muscle that rises too high when smiling. This causes more gum to show than usual.
• Tooth wear: Over time, teeth may become worn down, causing them to appear smaller. This change can cause a visual imbalance between the teeth and gums.

Gingival smile and dental esthetics

Having a gummy smile does not imply that there is an oral health problem, but for some people it can be unaesthetic.

If a person feels that his or her smile is not pleasant, this can affect self-esteem and lead to behaviors such as avoiding smiling in public, covering the mouth when laughing or feeling insecure in social interactions. In these cases, the gummy smile can affect confidence and become a psychological barrier.

Is it possible to reduce the gummy smile?

There are many treatments with which to correct the gummy smile and it will depend on the cause to opt for one option or another. Remember that all these procedures are purely aesthetic, so it is important to continue taking care of the gums with specialized products such as Mouthwash and GINGIKIN B5 toothpaste to keep them healthy.

Gingivectomy

It is the most common procedure when this type of smile is due to excess gum tissue. It consists of a very quick outpatient surgery with local anesthesia in which the excess gum covering the crown of the tooth is trimmed.

Orthognathic surgery

When the cause of the gummy smile is a too long upper jaw, orthognathic surgery is performed under general anesthesia. This procedure allows repositioning the facial bones, moving the maxilla upward to shorten the gum.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics can correct an over-eruption of the upper teeth. It is a slower process, but much less aggressive. By placing brackets or aligners, the teeth can be repositioned in the correct place so that the gum is less exposed.

Infiltrations

Another common technique to reduce gum exposure is to apply hyaluronic acid to the upper lip to plump and cover the area. For those cases in which the upper lip rises more than usual when smiling, neuromodulators can be used to relax the muscle responsible for this movement.

Dental veneers or crowns

In cases of tooth wear, veneers or crowns are one of the best procedures to balance the proportion between teeth and gums.

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Which specialists treat the gummy smile?

Depending on the procedure needed to correct the gummy smile, several specialists may be involved. Dentists and periodontists perform treatments such as gingivectomy, that is, removing part of the gums, and the placement of veneers or dental crowns, while orthodontists correct the position of the teeth with orthodontics, especially when there is over-eruption of the upper teeth.

In more complex cases, maxillofacial surgeons perform orthognathic surgery to adjust the bone structure. On the other hand, cosmetic doctors are usually responsible for applying hyaluronic acid infiltrations and neuromodulators to improve the appearance of the smile, although there are dentists who specialize in performing these types of procedures.

Does the gummy smile affect the bite?

In some cases, a gummy smile may be related to bite complications or malocclusions, i.e., problems in how the teeth fit together when the mouth is closed, especially if caused by a protruding upper jaw or over-eruption of the teeth. This can lead to premature tooth wear, difficulty chewing or speaking, and an unbalanced appearance in the lower third of the face. Here, we are no longer talking about an aesthetic issue, but a functional bite that must be treated.

Difference between a gummy smile and swollen gums

Gummy smile should not be confused with inflamed gums, the latter case as gingivitis or periodontitis is very important to be treated. It is very easy to identify healthy gums and we must be very attentive to detect inflamed gums. Inflamed gums will present symptoms such as redness, visible swelling, bleeding when brushing or flossing, pain or sensitivity.

Maintaining good oral hygiene, especially when it comes to continuing to take care of your gums, is key to preventing disease, so everyday products like the GINGIKIN B5 line, designed for the whole family, will help you prevent the buildup of dental biofilm, strengthen your gums and improve the appearance of your smile.