Smiling plays a large role in our lives. It's one of the first things people notice and it's also a way to help improve our mood. Smiling often helps reduce stress, but for those who weren't born with perfect teeth–and who really was, smiling can be more anxiety ridden than anything. That said, there are several things that can be done to help teeth look more attractive and Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with several experts who reveal their tricks for having a beautiful smile. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.
1 Why Having Healthy Teeth is Important
Dr. David Chen, DDS with Jackson Avenue Dental in Long Island City says, "The ones that live to eat and not eat to live already know its importance all too well but most people don't realize a secondary but equally important function of teeth. Having healthy teeth as compared to having no teeth in your mouth is disastrous because teeth give a similar effect as botox. Have you seen someone who has taken their upper and lower dentures out? Their faces collapse down and in. Once they put their dentures back in, their face fills back up. That is because your front teeth actually hold your lips out, without them they will collapse inward. The back teeth give you a 'bite' and it prevents your face from collapsing downwards. Having dentures takes 10 years off your appearance! So, did I just give you an extra reason to keep your teeth healthy?"
Dr. Shahrooz Yazdani, CEO and Director of Yazdani Family Dentistry shares, "When it comes to keeping your smile looking its best, there's one thing that's more important than anything else: healthy teeth. Even if you have the whitest, straightest teeth in the world, if they're not healthy, then you won't be happy with the way they look. That's because healthy teeth are the foundation for a beautiful smile. When you don't keep your teeth healthy, you are much more likely to get cavities and tooth decay. This can also lead to problems like gum disease and bad breath. Not only that, but it can lead to tooth loss.. Having an uneven smile or bad breath really takes away from that perfect smile you're looking for, and keeping your teeth healthy is the only way to avoid those issues."
2 Get White Teeth
Teeth whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve the look of your teeth with little effort. Dr. Chen reveals ways to get a brighter smile. "The best cure is prevention. Please try your hardest to avoid teeth staining foods like coffee, tea, and red wine. Well to be honest, if it can stain your white rug, it can stain your teeth but those three are the most notorious. It also helps if you drink these liquids through a straw because it helps the staining fluids from contacting your teeth. If you can't live without coffee then you can always try whitening. The home remedy options would be whitening toothpaste and over the counter whitening strips at your local pharmacy. The professional options would be to take home whitening kits with custom made trays and also in office bleaching sessions."
3 Practice Good Hygiene
Dr. Chen explains, "Brush for at least two minutes twice a day and floss before you go to bed. Mouthwash is an effective adjunct but prioritize the brushing and flossing over it if you're short on time. Please use a fluoridated toothpaste because it is easy and it is effective. Fluoride ions can remineralize your teeth by transforming what your teeth are naturally made out of, hydroxyapatite, into fluorapatite. This new structure has increased stability, increased hardness, and decreased solubility to acid attacks. If you do not like fluoride, the option would be a hydroxyapatite toothpaste. Yes, it is the same stuff that your teeth are naturally made out of. It has remineralizing abilities as well. First discovered by NASA but they sold the patent to a Japanese company around the 1970s and the Japanese have been using it since. This new toothpaste made its way to Europe in the early 2000s and then finally made its roundtrip back to the US only within the last few years. Remineralize = reverse cavities."
4 Floss Daily and Use an Electric Toothbrush
"Swap out the manual toothbrush for an electric one," says Elizabeth Graves, a registered dental hygienist with Take Home Smile. "This will increase plaque and bacteria removal, reduce day-to-day staining, and help keep the smile strong. Daily flossing is also key to improving oral health and maintaining an attractive smile."
Dr. Chen states, "Get an electric toothbrush. That is the most revolutionary thing to happen to dentistry within the last few decades! You can't outbrush an electric just like how gasoline powered cars can't win against Tesla."
5 Get Straighter Teeth
Dr. Chen states, "Unfortunately there is no natural way to straighten teeth because if there were, orthodontists would be out of business! But, yes the only way to do it would be either with metal braces or with a clear aligner like Invisalign. The DIY aligners I would say do at your own risk since these aligner companies use data for their teeth moving algorithms. The more data they have, the more effective they'll be at moving them. The oldest one would be Invisalign, which was founded in 1997. So these new companies that just came out… so how much data do they have?"
Graves states, "The only way to straighten the teeth safely is through professional orthodontic treatment with braces and retainer systems. Avoid mail-order braces at all costs. Permanent damage can occur from moving the teeth incorrectly. This includes permanent bone loss that supports the teeth and jaw, destruction of gums, increased risk of fracturing teeth from an incorrect bite, and worsening TMJ jaw disorders."
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6 Proportional Teeth
Dr. Gary Cash, an award-winning dentist based in Austin, Texas, specializing in transformative aesthetics and restorative dentistry shares, "If you weren't fortunate enough to be born with proportional teeth, a good dentist trained in dental aesthetics and tooth position can create proportional teeth. Many dental offices can create a smile simulation on your face to see if before you do the treatment, this is really helpful for people to choose sizes and colors they feel comfortable with."
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7 Teeth Bonding or Veneers
"The only way to correct the shape and size of your teeth would be via human intervention," Dr. Chen emphasizes. "Your dentist would have to intentionally change them either by teeth bonding or porcelain veneers. The shape of teeth won't naturally change on its own."
8 See a Dentist Regularly
Dr. Cash states, "See a dentist regularly, many systemic diseases are made worse with an unhealthy mouth. Your dentist can sometimes spot signs of disease such as oral cancers. I tell all of my patients, coming to the dentist is not just about aesthetics!"
9 Poor Lifestyle Choices that Contribute to Unhealthy Teeth
Dr. Chen says, "We could give you a million ways that people can harm their own teeth but I just have one principle that can be followed, which can answer all one million questions. The recipe for cavities is a low pH over time. Your mouth naturally sits at a pH of about 6.7 but cavities don't start forming until it drops below 5.5; Any type of food that will drop the pH to below that point is a potential cavity suspect. Yes, it doesn't always have to have sugar in it, it could just be acidic or sour as well! Basically once it drops below the 5.5 level, your teeth start to demineralize but when it goes above, it will start to REmineralize. Your mouth is not a static state but rather a dynamic state. Oh, chemistry 101 is coming back to me!"
Graves adds, "The most common poor lifestyle choice people make that influences their teeth are diet choices. Sugary, acidic foods and beverages increase bacteria activity that can damage enamel, cause gum disease, and discolor the teeth. Sugar consumption is also steadily on the increase. Sugar is in bread, crackers, chips, candy, beverages, desserts, and gummy vitamins."
FAQs
How are teeth attractive? ›
Studies have shown that those with whiter smiles and evenly spaced teeth are seen as more attractive than those with opposite qualities. Another study has confirmed those with perfect teeth are perceived as more successful, more intelligent, and have more dates.
How can I make my smile prettier? ›- #1 Use muscle memory for what a natural smile feels like.
- #2 Analyze Smiles in Photos.
- #3 Think About Things That Make You Happy.
- #4 Learn to Smile with Your Eyes.
- #5 Raise Your Chest and Posture When Smiling.
- #6 Practice in the Mirror.
- #7 Recognize Different Types of Smiles.
- #8 Practice Good Dental Hygiene.
A lip lift is an excellent way to shorten the philtrum and increase tooth show when you smile. This procedure can be performed using local anesthetic and a small incision under the base of the nose. Recovery is usually just a few days and visible scarring is minimal.
What are the most attractive teeth? ›Dental professionals consider a square-shaped jaw one of the most attractive because it shows that someone has a strong jawline and thin lips. On the other side of that spectrum is a round-shaped jaw with protruding teeth that can make a person look like they have an overbite or underbite.
Are pretty teeth attractive? ›Studies show that those with white and well-spaced teeth appear more attractive. Some people think it's superficial, but it's not. Having beautiful teeth is linked to good oral hygiene. As a result, they appear to be more intelligent, and more successful, and yes, they have more dates.
How should good teeth look? ›The pointed ends of the top teeth should fit perfectly between two teeth in the bottom. The backs of the upper front teeth should rest in gentle contact with the fronts of the lower ones. Essentially, your bite should “close”. If your front upper teeth stick out past your lower teeth, this is called an overbite.
How do you smile with good eyes? ›A Duchenne smile reaches your eyes, making the corners wrinkle up. Smiling in this way is sincere and the most authentic expression of happiness. Grab a mirror, give it a try. It may feel strange but by squinting slightly to create small pillows beneath your eyes the expression on your face becomes more genuine.
How do you smile with big lips? ›* Have a fuller bodied upper lip? Try showing off a little bit of your teeth when smiling and if you have a thin upper lip try smiling so the bottom edges of your upper teeth touch your lower lip.
What is the secret of beautiful smile? ›Eat protective foods.
Plentiful consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins and healthy natural fats helps to produce more saliva, remove plaque, and polish teeth.
It turns out that there's a magic number of upper teeth to have on show for an appealing and youthful smile and that's at least eight, says dentist Dr Rhona Eskander, who is increasingly helping her clients achieve that coveted wider smile.
What is gummy smile? ›
A gummy smile, known as excessive gingival display in doctor speak, is when you smile and too much gum tissue shows above the top teeth.
Do I have a bunny smile? ›Are your two front teeth a bit larger than their neighbors, or are they much larger? Some refer to large front teeth as “bunny teeth.” They tend to be longer and larger than all other teeth in the mouth.
What's considered an attractive smile? ›Ideally, your smile should reveal most of your teeth and form a gentle arc, sweeping back into the “buccal corridor,” the dark space between your teeth and the corners of your mouth. A little dark space is important to create contrast and make your teeth seem whiter.
What makes a perfect smile? ›Formulating the Perfect Smile
The upper and lower lip should both be symmetrical, and their centres should meet at the midline of the face. All teeth should be straight. The top teeth should be dominant; while smiling, little to nothing of the bottom teeth should be shown.
Overall, the tapered-ovoid maxillary incisor shape was perceived to be the most attractive smile (50 per cent).
How do celebrities teeth look so perfect? ›So, how do the vast majority of celebs, from Matt Damon to Emma Watson, achieve such perfect teeth? One word: veneers. Cosmetic dentistry (veneers and no-prep veneers in particular) is the only sure-fire way to get a Hollywood-level smile.
What teeth suit my face? ›- Heart Shaped: Work better with rounded and shorter veneers.
- Oval Shaped: Look better with square teeth which help widen and add fullness to the face.
- Round Shaped: Recommended longer more pronounced veneers.
- Square Shaped: Rounded teeth are often preferred to soften the features.
Also, people with beautiful smiles are likely to be hired for sales, modeling, and other corporate jobs. According to the multitudes, people look attractive with longer teeth. Therefore they judge people with longer front teeth to be of higher social worth.
How can you tell if someone is smiling with their eyes? ›Here are a few tips to determining if a smile is sincere or not: Watch for eye movements: Real smiles cause the eyes to move. It is fake if the rest of the person's face stays still while they are smiling.
What lip shape is most attractive? ›A study of 1,000 people in 35 countries revealed that the perfect lip shape is all down to symmetry. More than 60% of respondents thought a 1:1 ratio between the upper and lower lip was the most attractive shape. A cosmetic surgeon in London said a heavily-defined cupid's bow is the most-requested lip feature.
What size lips are attractive? ›
In the subjective assessments, a lip proportion of 1 to 1.6 (upper lip to lower lip) was rated as most attractive: average score of 4.21 out of a possible 5. The 1:1.6 proportion is widely accepted as the "golden ratio" for beautiful lips.
Are heart shaped lips rare? ›Is your top lip fuller than the bottom lip? Full lips tend to be the most common shape which includes symmetrical volume on the top and bottom lip, while a defined cupid's bow or heart-shaped lips are rare and harder to come by.
What brings smile on face? ›The things most likely to put a smile on people's faces include seeing loved ones, having a lie in - and getting likes on social media. A poll of 2,000 adults also found 28 per cent can't help but grin when they see a dog on a walk and 39 per cent enjoy waking up to sunshine.
Why is a good smile attractive? ›So just what is it that makes a smile attractive to us? It's likely the fact that smiling is a form of body language, one which signals happiness and comfort as well as acceptance, which makes us, as humans, feel welcome.
Is a nice smile attractive? ›Studies show that a nice smile makes you more attractive to potential partners, and in a 5500-people survey conducted by Match.com, 58% of men and 71% of women ranked teeth as the most attractive asset their date can have.
Why don't my teeth show when I talk? ›There are several reasons why your teeth do not show when you speak. It could be a problem of erosion, genetics... But the most common is a problem related to the shape or evolution of your jaw. Because of bad habits, your jaw may recede or take on another shape that makes your teeth less visible.
Why does my teeth don't show when I smile? ›Sometimes teeth do not show when you smile is because of the small size of teeth. It could be that you have small teeth naturally or they lost volume due to damage or wear. Typically, your jaw structure tends to lose bone density which can lead to smaller teeth.
How much gum is too much? ›Limit gum to five or six pieces per day.
Sugar alcohols go by names such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol, and they are not well absorbed, which explains why they provide fewer calories than sugar. But their poor absorption also explains their potential laxative effect when consumed in excess.
Their chin has special scent glands on it, so they mark their territory with their chins. Similar to pet cats rubbing against your leg, if your pet rabbit places their chin on your shoulder or arm, they are claiming you as theirs.
Is my rabbit a girl? ›The only sure way to tell if your rabbit is male or female is to examine their genitals. Female rabbits will have a very distinct appearance to their genitals, almost protruding from their body. “In female rabbits, there is a v-shaped or mountaintop appearance,” Quammen said.
How can I make my teeth look real? ›
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin wafer made of porcelain that is permanently bonded to your tooth to cover its natural color, shape, length, or position in your mouth. Veneers to improve their appearance, protect them from damage, and create a beautiful smile.
In a 2012 study, researchers learned that yellowed teeth downgraded a person's attractiveness. They believed this is because teeth are “ornaments” that can draw in potential suitors. When humans smile, we're like a colorful bird showing off its tail feathers.
Do good teeth make you look younger? ›A great looking smile with healthy teeth tends to reverse the appearance of aging. Studies show that 50% of people seek out cosmetic dentistry because they know that it will make them look younger. There are many benefits to aesthetic dentistry that can be anti-aging.
Why are big teeth more attractive? ›Though the logic behind it might seem a bit silly, it is deemed a sexy smile because the front two teeth are usually the longest when they first come in after your baby teeth before they are ground down over time. Thus, longer front teeth are associated with youth, warmth and thus sex appeal.
What kind of teeth are most attractive? ›Dental professionals consider a square-shaped jaw one of the most attractive because it shows that someone has a strong jawline and thin lips. On the other side of that spectrum is a round-shaped jaw with protruding teeth that can make a person look like they have an overbite or underbite.
What are fake teeth called? ›Dentures are artificial replacements for your natural teeth and gums. You'd usually get dentures if a disease or poor oral health has resulted in you only having a few teeth left or none at all.
What makes teeth look fake? ›One of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures is porcelain veneers. This procedure utilizes custom made thin porcelain shells to disguise flaws in your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers can be very natural looking, but if they are made cheaply with no regard to your natural smile, they may end up looking fake.
How do you know if you have nice teeth? ›Front View. When you look at teeth from the front – think of looking at yourself in the mirror – a perfect bite will feature upper front teeth that are lined up parallel to your lower lip when you smile. When you close your bite, about half to two-thirds of the length of your bottom teeth should be easily visible.
How important is a white smile? ›As such, a whiter smile will help you build better social, romantic and professional relationships thanks to the great first impression you give. Thanks to the positive way a brighter smile is perceived by others, making a great first impression in interview situations will help boost your career prospects.
Do straight teeth make U more attractive? ›The study found that Americans perceive people with straight teeth as having more attractive qualities than those with crooked teeth, such as being happy, professionally successful, and surrounded by loved ones.