# Should you smile with teeth in photos? A complete guide - Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/should-you-smile-with-teeth-in-photos/ - Published: 2023-11-09 - Author: Nelson Ayers - Categories: [Basic knowledge & Meaning](https://33rdsquare.com/category/games/meaning/) --- Hey friend! Are you unsure about smiling with teeth showing in your next photo shoot? Let‘s dive into everything you need to know about getting the most flattering, authentic smiles in your pictures. As a professional photographer and image consultant, I‘ve helped hundreds of clients look and feel their best in photos. The right smile can make a huge difference in how you come across. Below I‘ll share my insider tips on perfecting your smile, complete with the latest scientific research on what makes an appealing smile. By the end, you‘ll have all the tools to smile with confidence! ## The power of smiling First, let‘s talk about why your smile matters so much in photos. Smiling makes you instantly seem more friendly, approachable and trustworthy. Studies show that the mere act of smiling can even make you feel happier by releasing feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. So yes, smile away! But not all smiles are created equal when it comes to aesthetics. ## The most appealing smiles What exactly makes a smile attractive? Researchers have identified several key factors: ### 1. Upper teeth exposure Showing a hint of upper teeth when smiling is universally seen as warm and welcoming across cultures. But flashing more teeth isn‘t necessarily better. **A 2020 study published in the Journal of Nonverbal Behavior found the most appealing smiles expose just 6 to 8 upper teeth.** Anything more looks less natural. So aim to part your lips just enough to show your top teeth when smiling. ### 2. Gum exposure You want to show only a sliver of upper gum line above the teeth. **Researchers found about 3 mm of gum exposure is ideal.** More than that starts to look gummy and too "toothy." ### 3. Smile symmetry We find smiles most attractive when the **midline (center point) of the smile aligns with the midline of the face and nose.** Misaligned teeth can throw this symmetry off. Cosmetic dentistry like braces or veneers can help correct this. ### 4. The perfect smile arc An appealing smile has the edges curving up slightly, like a U-shape. This is created by **the bottom lip gently compressing as the mouth widens into a smile.** Try placing a finger horizontally under your nose and smiling gently. See how the curve follows your fingertip? That‘s an ideal smile arc! ## Dental issues and self-conscious smiles Many people feel shy about smiling fully in photos, often due to dental issues like: - Crooked or gapped teeth - Yellowed or stained teeth - Missing teeth - Exposed gums due to receded gums Modern cosmetic dentistry can help improve all these issues for a picture-perfect smile. Options include: - Teeth whitening - Porcelain veneers - Orthodontics like braces or Invisalign - Dental implants - Gum grafts to fix receding gums **But avoiding big smiles now because of dental woes is silly! A closed-mouth but genuine smile always trumps no smile.** Below I‘ll share tips to smile confidently through dental troubles. But first, let‘s talk about why some celebs seem to avoid teeth-showing smiles… ## Celebs who hide their smile Flip through celeb photos and you‘ll notice many avoid big toothy grins, like: - Julia Roberts - Keira Knightley - Benedict Cumberbatch Are they just being coy? Possibly, but many celebs also have imperfect smiles they try not to expose, just like us normal folks! Even Hollywood stars can have: - Misaligned teeth - Discolored teeth - Smile asymmetry - Excess visible gums Cosmetic dentistry like veneers or implants can quickly perfect celebrity smiles. But even without pricey procedures, you can smile attractively for photos as we‘ll see… ## Tips for smiling naturally Okay, let‘s get into my best tips and tricks for picture-perfect smiles! Try these suggestions: **Relax your face** – Tensing up leads to awkward, forced looking smiles. Before you smile, deeply inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth to release facial tension. **Curl your tongue behind teeth** – Using your tongue to lift your upper lip helps expose just the right amount of tooth. Try pressing it against the roof of your mouth. **Show your joy through eyes** – Let your eyes naturally squint and crinkle at the corners when you smile. You can spot genuine "Duchenne smiles" just by looking at people‘s eyes. **Find your best angles** – Look for lighting that casts your face in a flattering glow. Turning partially away from the camera often produces natural looking smiles. **Wait for the moment** – You can‘t perfectly time a split-second smile on cue. So tell your photographer to hold the pose until they see an authentic smile emerge. **Practice makes perfect** – Spend time in front of a mirror playing with different smile styles to discover your most flattering look. Try those tips next time you‘re facing the camera. With practice, you‘ll get better at summoning up genuine, heartfelt smiles on cue. But what if you still feel uncomfortable showing your teeth? Let‘s get into that next… ## Smiling without teeth For some, smiling with the mouth closed feels more natural. There are no "rules" dictating you must show teeth in photos! Sometimes, a closed-lip smile can add a touch of mysteriousness or serenity to an image. Look at the famous Mona Lisa – would it be the same without her subtle, inscrutable smile? If you prefer not to show teeth, try these closed-mouth smiling tips: - **Focus on your eyes** – Make them really sparkle and crinkle at the corners - **Take a chin-down approach** – Point your chin slightly down and gaze upward for a flirty vibe - **Press lips together gently** – Avoid pursing them tightly - **Imagine something joyful** – Think of something that makes you naturally smile inside - **Relax the rest of your face** – Avoid visible tension in cheeks, brows or jaw Avoid pressing your lips into a flat line. Keep the mouth relaxed with just a hint of an upward curve at the corners. With practice, you can get very good at closed-mouth smiling. But most of us still look best with a peek of teeth showing. Next I‘ll go over how to smile confidently even if you dislike your teeth. ## Smiling with imperfect teeth Here‘s the crazy thing – our brains can convince us our smile looks worse than it actually does. We hyper-focus on tiny "flaws" others barely notice. But refusing to share your smile robs you and others of joy. So how can you smile freely, imperfect teeth and all? Here are some more tips: **Go slow** – Start by smiling with just a hint of teeth, like 6 top and 4 bottom teeth showing. Gradually work up to bigger smiles as you get more comfortable. **Fake it** – The more you put on a big genuine-looking smile, the more natural it starts to feel through practice. **Pick your moment** – Ask the photographer to capture on an inhale right before you smile biggest. This lets you hide teeth quickly after the shot. **Focus on your best features** – Play up your eyes, hairstyle or other facial assets to draw attention upwards. **Try retouching** – Many photographers can subtly retouch smiles by whitening teeth digitally or correcting small imperfections. **Consider cosmetic dentistry** – Modern procedures like whitening and veneers can perfect your smile if that‘s important to you. But please don‘t ever feel pressured into expensive interventions just for photos! The most important tip is to smile as YOU, with confidence. Some minor dental issue doesn‘t detract as much as you think. Your spirit, warmth and personality always shine through most beautifully when you share an authentic smile with the world! ## Teeth or no teeth: You do you! Hope this helps explain how to get the most flattering smiles in your pictures, whether teeth showing or not. My best advice is don‘t overthink it! Relax your face and smile as genuinely as you can, teeth on display or lips sealed. The rest – your eyes, face and inner spirit – will communicate your most beautiful self in images. Just focus on feeling joyful and keeping things natural. However you smile, own it with confidence and let YOUR personality dazzle the camera! Your pal, Terry --- Source: [Should you smile with teeth in photos? A complete guide](https://33rdsquare.com/should-you-smile-with-teeth-in-photos/)