Have you ever noticed that some smiles seem to show more gums than teeth? This difference is caused by the gum-to-tooth ratio, which is a very important part of both how your smile looks and how healthy it is. Talk to a cosmetic dentist in Coronado to find out more about how to get a smile that looks good and is healthy. 

Understand the ideal gum-to-tooth ratio. 

When you smile, you should be able to see just a little bit of your gum tissue. Dental professionals say that the best tooth-to-gum ratio is between 75% and 85%. 

For the front teeth that people can see when you smile, about 10 mm of the tooth cap (the part of the tooth above the gum line) should be visible. Getting this balance right makes for a beautiful, balanced smile. 

Factors that contribute to an imbalance. 

An uneven gum-to-tooth ratio can be caused by a number of things, some of which can cause a sticky smile or other problems:

• Too much gum tissue: Some people are born with more gum tissue than usual, which makes their smile look sticky.
• Short teeth: Teeth that look shorter can be caused by genes or too much wear and tear, which shows more gum tissue.
• An upper lip that lifts too high: If your upper lip lifts too high when you smile, it can show more gum tissue than you want.
• Jawbone position: The shape of the jawbone below can change how much gum tissue is exposed. 

Gum contouring can restore balance and enhance smiles. 

Luckily, having a sticky smile is not something that can not be fixed. Gum contouring, which is also called gum trimming, is a dentistry treatment that can fix this problem. 

A dentist or periodontist (a gum expert) carefully cuts away extra gum tissue during this treatment using laser therapy or surgery tools. By showing off more of your teeth and making your gum line more even, this process can make your smile look much better. 

The oral health benefits of gum contouring go beyond aesthetics. 

In addition to making your smile look better, gum shaping has other perks. Also, it can be good for your oral health in a number of ways:

1. Less likely to get gum disease. 

Too much gum tissue can form pockets that trap plaque and germs, which raises the risk of gum pain and infection (gum disease). Gum shaping gets rid of extra tissue, which makes it easier to keep your teeth clean and lowers your risk of getting gum disease.

2. Better bite function. 

Sometimes, too much gum tissue can get in the way of lining up your teeth properly. Gum shaping can help you get the best bite, which can make eating easier and make your mouth feel better overall.

3. Increased confidence. 

Being self-conscious about your smile can make you feel bad about your self-esteem and confidence. Giving you a smile you are happy to show off after gum contouring can make you feel a lot better about your self-esteem. 

The procedure of gum contouring. 

During gum shaping, the following steps are usually taken:

1. Consultation and evaluation: You will have a full dental checkup and a meeting to talk about your specific needs and what you want to happen.
2. Treatment planning: After evaluating you, a personalized treatment plan will be made that details the steps that will be taken during your gum reshaping process.
3. Gum reshaping: During this process, laser therapy or medical tools are used to carefully remove extra gum tissue.
4. Care after surgery: Your dentist will give you special directions for care after surgery, such as how to deal with pain and how to keep your mouth clean. 

See a dentist today about gum shaping to fix problems with your gum tissue and improve your looks, health, and confidence.