GUMMY SMILE TREATMENT AT NORTH SHORE PERIODONTICS
What is a gummy smile?
A gummy smile, clinically known as an ‘excessive gingival display’, refers to a smile that reveals more of the gum tissue above your upper teeth than desired.
What is considered a gummy smile is largely subjective and aesthetic in nature, but tends to relate to things like the height and shape of your teeth, the movement of your lips when you smile, or the angle of your jaw in comparison to the rest of your face. Generally speaking however, anything above 3-4mm of gum tissue being exposed is usually considered disproportionate.
Gummy smiles can have a negative effect on a person’s self-image and self-confidence, particularly in social interactions, but will not impact their ability to eat or speak.
Read on to learn more about the potential causes of a gummy smile, as well as the various treatment options we offer at North Shore Periodontics.
What causes a gummy smile?
Jaw issues
One of the most common causes of gummy smiles is an overgrowth of the upper jaw, a condition known as ‘vertical maxillary excess’, in which the jaw grows longer than it typically would. This leads to an irregular vertical position and excess gum tissue becoming visible on either side of the teeth.
Tooth issues
The way in which your adult teeth grow, or erupt, can play a part in the development of a gummy smile. This can be the case when the top teeth erupt further forward compared to the lower teeth, or don’t erupt properly and appear small in comparison to the gums, as they remain partially covered by gum tissue.
Due to use over time, your upper teeth may also move downwards with the aim of maintaining their usual bite, and as such the gums will naturally move down with the teeth, appearing lower.
Lip issues
A gummy smile is often brought about as a result of an upper lip that is shorter than usual and consequently shows too much gum tissue, despite the jaw and teeth being of a ‘regular’ size.
Your lips may also be hypermobile or hyperactive – that is, when the lip muscles are overly strong or mobile and lift more easily when you smile, exposing excess gum tissue when you smile.
Gum issues
Issues stemming from the gums themselves will often be the cause of a gummy smile, as an overgrowth of the gum – known as gingival hypertrophy – can give rise to extra gum tissue being on display.
Gum enlargement can usually be put down to excessive mouth breathing or poor oral hygiene. The latter is an especially prevalent factor, as plaque that builds up on the teeth will often make its way under your gums, which are then at high risk of inflammation and enlargement.
People with braces will tend to struggle to adequately brush and floss their teeth around their braces, making the build up of bacteria on the gums and eventual inflammation rather common. Those with more general or existing gum issues, meanwhile, often avoid brushing around their gums because of pain, leading to insufficient dental hygiene habits in the long run.
Medication
Certain medications can have the unfortunate side effect of enlarging the gum around your teeth. These can include:
- immunosuppressants
- anti-seizure medications
- heart disease medications
- drugs for high blood pressure
- epilepsy medications
It is important to consult with your doctor if you are taking or have been prescribed medication for any of the conditions above, as prolonged gum overgrowth can result in the development of periodontitis, or gum disease.