 Gummy Smile
Excess gum tissue around the teeth can create the appearance of short teeth and a "gummy" smile—and make your oral health more difficult to manage. A number of factors can cause a “gummy” smile:
- Altered Passive Eruption: As the teeth erupt (grow out of the gums), the gums recede upwards—most of the time. In some cases, the gums remain and cover part of the teeth, making normal-sized teeth look short.
- Irritation from Braces: If a patient has excessive gum tissue at the time of orthodontic treatment, the gums can become irritated by the braces, in spite of proper oral care.
- Mouth Breathing: Nasal or adenoid problems can lead a patient to breathe through the mouth, especially at night. This habit dries out the gum tissue, leaving it susceptible to disease and overgrowth.
- Medication: Medicine such as Dilantin and Cyclosporine can lead to gum tissue overgrowth.
- High Lip Lines: The shape of the patient's mouth can sometimes bare more of the gum tissue than is visible in the average person's mouth.
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