Understanding the causes and potential treatments can help in determining if it’s a natural characteristic or if it requires attention. Here, we explore whether a gummy smile is genetic and how you can improve your smile.

Genetics and Development

Being born with a gummy smile is often attributed to genetics. Just as you inherit other physical traits, the structure of your gums and teeth is influenced by your genetic makeup. If one or both of your parents have a gummy smile, you may have inherited it as well.

Gummy smile can be caused by disproportionate crown length or a hypermobile upper lip or a short upper lip [1]. All of these things can be influenced by genetics.

Tooth Eruption Patterns

Sometimes, a gummy smile can be due to the way your teeth have erupted from the gums during development. If the teeth are partially covered by gum tissue or if they haven’t erupted completely, it can create the appearance of a gummy smile. This is known as altered passive eruption and is fairly common.

Bone and Lip Structure

The positioning of the jawbone and how it relates to the upper lip can also play a significant role in the development of gummy smile. If the upper jaw protrudes or the lip is shorter or hypermobile, more gum tissue may show when you smile. These structural elements can be inherited traits or could develop over time due to various factors.

Medication-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia

Certain medications can cause gum overgrowth that contributes to a gummy smile appearance [2]. The main culprits include anticonvulsants (like phenytoin for seizures), calcium channel blockers (like nifedipine for high blood pressure), and immunosuppressants (like cyclosporine after organ transplants).

These drugs cause excessive gum tissue growth that typically begins within one to three months of treatment, making gums appear more prominent when smiling. If you suspect medication is affecting your gums, discuss alternatives with your physician and dentist.

Treatment Options for a Gummy Smile

If your gummy smile is a cosmetic concern or causes discomfort, several treatment options are available, including:

• Orthodontics. Braces or clear aligners can help in positioning teeth or jaw structures to reduce gum exposure.
• Periodontal surgery. Procedures like crown lengthening can reshape the gum line for better smile aesthetics.
• Botox injections. Botox can reduce excessive upper lip movement when smiling, correcting the appearance of gummy smile [3].
• Lip surgery. In some cases, a surgical procedure can permanently correct a hyperactive upper lip.

Consulting a Professional

Determining whether a gummy smile requires attention or treatment starts with consulting a dental professional. They can provide a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate solutions based on individual needs and preferences.

If you have questions or concerns about your gummy smile and what options might be available to you, reach out to your dentist to discuss the best path forward. Your dental health and confidence in your smile are important, and expert guidance can help you make informed decisions!

Sources:

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1073874624000033
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8481201/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470437/

The post Why Do I Have a Gummy Smile? Is It Something I Was Born With? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Too much or too little gum tissue can cause the gums to appear uneven. Some people will have this issue present their whole lives, while others may have it develop later in life. A crooked gumline has many causes from genetics to gum disease to hormone changes during pregnancy.

But what can be done about an uneven gumline? Here are your treatment options based on what could be causing this issue!

If Your Gums Are Receding

If your gumline is uneven due to receding gum tissue, you may see areas where the gums appear to pull back from the teeth, giving some teeth a longer appearance and exposing tooth roots. A receding gumline can also be caused by:

• Brushing your teeth too aggressively
• Gum disease
• Smoking and tobacco use

You’ll need to visit your dentist to know for certain what the cause is. If your gum recession is the result of advanced gum disease, you may need a gum graft to repair missing gum tissue [1].

However, if the appearance of your gums is caused by aggressive brushing, switching to a softer toothbrush may be able to help.

If You Have Gummy Smile

Your uneven gums could be caused by gummy smile, a condition in which gum tissue covers too much of the teeth. Gummy smile could also be caused by the muscles in the upper lip exposing too much gum tissue when smiling, in which case, dental treatment may not be appropriate.

While gummy smile typically doesn’t affect oral health, it can be treated in a cosmetic procedure called gingival contouring, or gum contouring, which can be done with a laser to essentially reshape the gum tissue to permanently improve appearance [2].

If the Cause is Genetic

When uneven gums are caused by genetics, gum reshaping is usually the best treatment option to give you a smile that looks natural and healthy.

This form of cosmetic gum surgery will require that you treat any underlying issues beforehand—for instance, if you have a mild form of gum disease, it’ll need to be addressed before the procedure.

A gum contouring procedure can be done at your dentist’s office with local anesthesia and requires minimal recovery time, for some patients a few days and up to two weeks depending on your unique smile [3]. Your dentist can let you know more about what to expect during your consultation.

Are You Experiencing Uneven Gum Tissue?

If you have uneven gums, there is treatment available to help restore your appearance based on what’s causing the issue. Your dentist can further evaluate your gums to determine how best to treat your irregular gumline and give you a beautiful smile.

Schedule an appointment with your oral healthcare professional today to learn about your options!

Sources:
1. https://www.perio.org/consumer/gum-graft-surgery
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4672859/
3. https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/gum-contouring-procedure#2-6

The post What Can Be Done to Treat an Uneven Gumline? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Dental crown lengthening is a process that involves removing some gum tissue in order to
expose more of your tooth. Why would this need to be done? Here’s what you need to know
about a dental crown lengthening.

To Support a Restoration

If you’ve experienced trauma to your tooth—for instance, a cavity below your gumline or even
a tooth that’s broken off close to or below the gumline—gum tissue may prevent your dentist
from performing a complete restoration.

In cases such as these, a small amount of gum tissue may need to be removed in order for your
dentist to fully access your tooth and properly complete the restoration.

Restorations are the most common reasons a dental crown lengthening procedure is done, and
it’ll typically be done by a periodontist, who is a dentist that specializes in gum tissue. Your gum
tissue will be carefully reshaped in order to support your restoration and facilitate a healthy
smile!

To Help Gummy Smile

You may have gummy smile if an excessive amount of gum tissue covers the crowns of your
teeth. Gummy smile is often a subjective diagnosis and is more pronounced in some individuals
than in others. Gummy smile is typically the result of genetics and is more common in women
than in men.

If you have gummy smile, you may have the option of getting your gums reshaped to expose
more of your dental crown in a crown lengthening procedure done by a periodontist. During
this procedure, a laser will be used to reshape your gum tissue and remove unnecessary gum
tissue that’s covering your teeth and giving your smile a “gummy” appearance.

What Can I Expect?

Fortunately, a crown lengthening procedure is fairly straightforward. The procedure is typically
performed by a periodontist with local anesthesia. If you have dental anxiety and would like to
be sedated, you can talk with your periodontist about this option.

Only infinitesimal amounts of gum tissue are removed during the procedure, and while the full
recovery time will take approximately two weeks, you should be able to return to work and any
normal activities the day after the procedure.

For most patients, dental crown lengthening procedures can be managed with over-the-
counter pain medication. If you’re having a crown lengthening procedure done in order to
support a dental restoration, you’ll need to wait approximately 4-6 weeks in order to fully complete the restoration.

For patients who need a dental crown lengthening procedure, this procedure can go a long way
towards helping your smile get the restoration it needs or helping you enhance your
appearance if you have gummy smile. Your dentist will let you know if you need this procedure
and what you can expect during your appointment!

The post What Is Dental Crown Lengthening and When Is It Needed? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.