There are a lot of dental problems that can make a person reluctant to smile. Staining, misshapen or just plain missing teeth, and gaps can all make a person think twice when someone flatters them or says something funny. This is no way to go through life, though. Who wants to always be considering whether they dare open their mouth and smile? Who wants to avoid family photos and any other pictorial record of events because they don’t have the confidence to say “Cheese”?

One problem that affects a number of people without perhaps getting as much attention as the aforementioned ones is when they have what is typically described as a “gummy smile”. You know what a gummy smile looks like – it is when a person’s gums cover more of their front teeth than they ordinarily would. It can make teeth look shorter than they should be, and even if it doesn’t it can still be embarrassing to deal with. Many people feel they cannot smile without covering up their teeth because they are concerned that their smile looks bad.

It is possible to get treatment for a “gummy smile”. Before doing this one has to decide whether their gummy smile is affecting their life negatively. For many, it will be. If they feel that they cannot smile because of the way their smile looks, then it will adversely affect their self-confidence and after a while that will begin to wear them down. The solution to the problem is a process known as “gum contouring”.

The process for gum contouring can be one of two possible approaches. The first one is done using a scalpel, and will be a low-cost option. It may sound painful, but it usually is not that severe at all. The process can also be carried out by laser for a slightly higher cost, but a quicker process and, in many people’s opinion, a more polished end result. Gum contouring is available from most cosmetic dentists, so if you are concerned about your gummy smile, you may find there is a benefit in contacting your dentist.