27 Nov Do You Have a Camera-Ready Smile?

With cameras in cell phones, email profile pictures, and online photo sharing, a camera-ready smile is almost a necessity. Thankfully, you don’t have to be a celebrity or genetically blessed to create a crowd-pleasing smile.

Here are 6 tips for a camera-ready smile:

Smile Tip #1: Wear a “Parade” Smile

Photogenic smiles are gentle and natural. One tip is  to smile as if they are in a parade. In other words, strike a smile you can hold for a long time. When you smile gently, your face looks relaxed. Your mouth opens slightly, and your lower lip matches the curve of your upper teeth.

You should feel the edges of your upper front teeth gently touching your lower lip, Your cheeks may rise a bit, but not too much. It’s the opposite of the quick smile that flashes across your face when you see an old friend. That kind of jumping-for-joy smile makes your eyes squint and your neck muscles tense — which can make for an awkward-looking photo.

Smile Tip #2: Nix the Double Chin

More worried about your chin than your smile? It’s all about posture. If you slouch or your head is too bent forward, you won’t like how your smile looks. Instead try turning your head slightly and dropping your chin so your face is not completely square with the camera.

Smile Tip #3: Make Lipstick Your Friend

If you are a woman, select a lipstick that works with your skin tone. The right shade of lipstick can make teeth look whiter. Shades like cherry red, wine, berry, plum, or rosy pink are your best bet. The blue-based or pink-based undertones will minimize any yellowish tones in your teeth.

On the other hand,  that the wrong color, especially one that’s too dark or too red, can detract from your smile. (Psst. Lipstick sticking to your teeth? Might be a sign of dry mouth or excess plaque.)

Smile Tip #4: Work With What You Have

You don’t need perfect teeth to have a camera-worthy smile. Just look at Tom Cruise and his off-center ivories. Did you ever notice the line between his two front teeth, which should line up with the center of his nose, is off to one side? It’s a rather obvious fluke but when Cruise smiles, few people notice it.

Smile Tip #5: Prime Your Teeth and Gums

Getting your teeth and gums camera-ready requires a bit of behind-the-scenes preparation.

If your teeth have yellowed with age, you might want to try some bleach trays from our office. Correcting cracked, crooked, broken, or missing teeth will likely mean spending some time in the dental chair.  If you desire a beautiful camera-ready smile Dr. Michel and his staff can help you get it. Call us today for an appoitment. After all you are never fully dressed without a smile!

Though you may think of them as supporting actors, healthy gums play a crucial role in a photogenic smile. You can have beautiful teeth but if your gums aren’t healthy, that detracts from your smile.  Bulbous, red, bleeding gums can take away from even the greatest smile. Good hygiene habits and seeing your hygienist regularly can prevent these issues.

Smile Tip #6: Practice

Your perfect smile might not happen overnight. If you have a big photo event like a wedding or graduation coming up, take time to practice smiling in front of a mirror. You can see how it looks and feels when you hold your shoulders back proudly and strike a natural, unforced smile. You can also play around with turning your head and finding your best angle.