What Makes a Smile Beautiful?

What makes a beautiful smile? Some people may say it’s the shade of your teeth, or the positioning. But the truth is, there are several factors that add up to what is considered a gorgeous grin. If you’re looking to make improvements to your teeth and gums to get a glowing, megawatt mouth, here are some of the most important elements of an aesthetically pleasing smile, and what your cosmetic dentist can do to help you achieve it!

Elements of a Beautiful Smile

A recent study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information took a closer look at what exactly makes a smile beautiful. But while there are many flaws that don’t fit the bill, the consensus was that the following five factors all played an important role.

Tooth Size

If your teeth are too large, this can be considered unattractive, as can teeth that are too small. While most people appreciate the top two front teeth being larger than the rest, if they’re too much bigger, it’s a negative. Thus, the size of all your teeth must be in balance with each other. If you feel as though your top teeth are too big, your dentist can help reshape them. If they are too small, solutions like veneers and cosmetic dental bonding can help.

Tooth Visibility

The number of teeth you showcase when you grin also plays an important role in your smile’s attractiveness. The more visible they are, the more confident and attractive you appear. An ideal smile reveals most of your teeth at a gentle arc, with some dark space between the corners of your mouth and between the teeth for contrast. If you are hiding your teeth when you smile, this can make you appear less confident. Speak to your dentist about what you’d like to change about your teeth so you can share your fullest, most dazzling smile with confidence!

Gum Display

Your gums play a role in your smile, too. If you suffer from gum disease or periodontitis, they may be red, inflamed, or puffy. This can make your smile look unhealthy or unattractive, and it may make you less likely to smile freely. If you are experiencing any swelling or gum sensitivity including bleeding when you brush or floss, speak to your dentist about gum disease treatment.

Tooth Color

If your teeth are yellow, brown, or have excessive stains, it not only looks bad, but it can also hurt your self-esteem. This can be caused by many things such as diet, smoking, medications, or even age.

If you’re unhappy with the color of your teeth, speak to your dentist about your whitening options. These can include professional whitening, or a more lasting solution like cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers.

Tooth Positioning

Finally, the positioning of your teeth plays a big role in the attractiveness of your smile. When you have straighter, more balanced teeth, this improves not just your oral health, but the beauty and symmetry of your face, as well as your self-esteem. If you are concerned about the positioning of yours, speak to your dentist about porcelain veneers. These restorations not only can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth, but they can also fix minor alignment and spacing issues.

Remember, there are many elements that go into an attractive smile. If you are concerned about the appearance of yours, speak to your dentist today about how cosmetic dentistry can help!

About Dr. Paylor

Dr. Jeremiah Paylor loves helping people in a hands-on fashion. Naturally, he was drawn to dentistry! Whether you need a routine exam and cleaning, an emergency appointment, or you’d like to improve your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Paylor and the West Arvada Family Dental team are here to assist you.

Don’t prevent yourself from the smile of your dreams! Contact us today for a cosmetic dentistry consultation by visiting our website or calling us at 720-776-4900.