Gummy Smile

How do I know if my smile is gummy?

You may think you have a gummy smile, and you may be right because a smile is ubiquitous. According to a generally agreed measure, 1 to 2 mm from the gums are represented in a typical smile. A gummy smile is when 3 to 4 millimeters of your gum line is visible.

But you do not need to use meters to measure – if you like the appearance of your smile, then there is most likely no medical reason to carry out treatment.

Gummy Smiles Causes 

There are many reasons why a large amount of your gums are visible, including genetic reasons, medications, and poor oral hygiene. Let’s take a look at some of the most common.

Hyperactive Upper Lip
If your upper lip is shorter than usual, your gum line may be more exposed when you smile. Add a lip with elevator muscle hyperactivity, meaning when you smile, they rise dramatically, and you’ll see even more of that gum line.

Gingival Overgrowth
It may seem obvious, but if you have prominent gums, it may be because the tissue in your gums is too large. In this case, your teeth have a natural length and may fit your lips, but only your gums are long.

Altered Tooth Eruption
You may have a gummy smile due to how your permanent teeth grow, which in some cases may be due to genetics. Sometimes, when your teeth come out, the gums cover a more significant portion of the surface of your teeth than usual.

This is known as altered passive onset and can also lead to the appearance of a gingival smile. Your front teeth may also come out too much, and your gums may need to grow longer to support them. This is called alveolar tooth extrusion.

Another tooth growth problem that can lead to a smile with prominent gums or a gummy smile is the vertical increase in the upper jaw. This condition occurs when your upper jawbone is longer than it should be.

Drug-Induced Gingival Hyperplasia
Some prescription medications can cause gums to enlarge. This may occur with immunosuppressive drugs (for transplant patients to prevent tissue rejection), technical twins (epilepsy patients), and heart disease drugs, including verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine.

If you experience this side effect with these drugs, your gums will grow too much around your teeth, resulting in a condition called gum hyperplasia. This is the case in which a gingival smile will most likely require treatment, as excessive gingival growth can lead to gum disease.

Gum hyperplasia
Gum hyperplasia is an overgrowth and abnormal of the gum tissue around the tooth and has four potential causes:

• Inflammatory enlargement of the gums: Inflammation is caused by plaque accumulation on the teeth from food, bacteria, and poor oral hygiene measures.
• Drug-induced gum enlargement: Certain medications, including those mentioned above, can cause gum hyperplasia as a side effect.
• Hereditary gum fibromatosis: Genetics may play a role in gum hyperplasia, but it is rare. In this case, the cause is related to the overproduction of collagen. Due to the recurring nature of the condition, it may be necessary to have a re-surgical removal.
• Systemic causes of gum enlargement: Some diseases can lead to gum hyperplasia, such as leukemia, HIV, diabetes, anemia, Crohn’s disease, lymphoma, and vitamin deficiency. Pregnant women may also experience this.

What can be done to treat gum hyperplasia at home?

While severe cases of gum hyperplasia will require specialized treatment, there are things you can do at home to treat it early and reduce the risk of gum disease:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
• Choose an electric toothbrush to maximize your cleaning potential.
• Make sure your toothbrush has a soft or very soft brush.
• Replace your toothbrush every three months.
• Floss daily.
• Use natural mouthwash.
• Visit your dentist at least once a year.

Hyperactive Upper Lip Elevators

Your upper lip muscles can also control how visible your gum line is. If your muscles are hyperactive, your upper lip will rise more than expected, and your gums will show themselves more. This event can also give the appearance of a gummy smile.

Genetics
Many of these factors may be partly due to genetic reasons, which may have also caused the gingival smile. For many people, gummy smiles caused by having a large jaw, short upper lip, or small teeth can be caused by genetic factors.

A gingival smile may also occur due to gingival fibromatosis, a hereditary disease in which gingival tissue grows slowly and can even spread to the extent that it causes speech problems.

Tooth growth
In cases of altered passive eruption (APE), the tooth does not ultimately come out through the gum tissue, and the tooth is not entirely left exposed, leaving a part of the tooth crown still covered by the gums. These incomplete exposures give an illusion of short teeth and contribute to the gummy smile.

The cost of treating a Gummy Smile

The cost of correcting your gummy smile will vary greatly depending on the type of treatment you are undertaking. If criminalizing and leveling the root level as part of a deep cleansing procedure is all you need, the cost of your treatment will not be that high, but if you need a broader process, such as surgery, it may cost a lot.

FAQ

Is a Gummy Smile bad?

A gummy smile isn’t necessarily bad if you have healthy gums. Whether your smile is aesthetically pleasing in appearance is entirely up to you. As mentioned, a gummy smile may require correction. This is when an underlying problem such as jaw misalignment or gum disease causes your gums to enlarge.

How do you fix a Gummy Smile?

You can correct a gummy smile with anything, from improving your oral hygiene routine to intervening with laser surgery. It all depends on how gummy your smile is and why you have prominent gums.
Dr. Ghayoumi provides various treatment options for gummy smiles, including laser surgery and lip repositioning. His expertise ensures a personalized approach for optimal results.

Is a gummy smile usual?

Most gummy smiles are a natural occurrence and only have a beautiful aspect. If you are satisfied with the appearance of your smile, then there is no need to worry that your gums are only slightly larger. However, sometimes a gummy smile is the result of gum disease, jaw alignment problems, or problems such as gum fibromatosis. If this is the problem, then you should seek treatment.

Conclusion
A gummy smile is a condition in which your gums are more visible than usual when you smile. It can be caused by various factors, from genetic conditions to certain medications to poor oral hygiene routines.

In most cases, a gummy smile is a cosmetic issue, and you should only consider treating it when you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile. However, when the enlargement of the gums is caused by gum disease or other underlying medical problems, you should seek treatment.

If you’re concerned about your gummy smile, Dr. Ghayoumi can help. With years of experience and state-of-the-art techniques, he can provide you with the best solution for a confident smile. Schedule a consultation today!