It’s the season of endless pictures: grad pictures, wedding pictures, Father’s Day pictures, and don’t forget the usual summer vacation pictures. Smiling for all of these photos can definitely be exhausting, and your smile can begin to look a little more forced and unnatural with every snap of the camera. Luckily, we have some advice to help you make sure that in every picture, you show off that beautiful smile of yours in the best way possible. Here are five quick tips for a picture-perfect smile.
1. Never Have Your Top and Bottom Teeth Touching Each Other
This is a tip that many people are unaware of, but it can make all the difference in your smile. When you smile, if your top and bottom row of teeth are pushed together, clamped down on each other, or even simply touching, this makes your neck muscles tense and sometimes bulge out of your skin in an unflattering way. Keep a small space between your two rows of teeth for a more natural, softer smile.
2. No Joker Grinning!
A smile that is relaxed and genuine is always the best smile, not an obligatory “joker grin.” We know that your teeth are absolutely stunning, but when you flash an overwhelming beam that reveals all of your teeth, it generally seems forced and unpleasant. In fact, a study by U.S. scientists even found that extremely wide smiles that show an excessive number of teeth typically do not create positive impressions. To avoid this joker grin, simply be yourself! Don’t try to force your smile to be bigger than it naturally is.
3. Wet Your Teeth Before You Smile
This is a simple trick that can make your smile look a little more shiny and bright. Right before you smile, simply run your tongue over your teeth, or, as some makeup artists even suggest, put a little Vaseline on your teeth. This will prevent your smile from looking dull. Instead, your teeth will look smoother, shinier, and “pop” a little more.
4. Keep the Camera Above Eye Level
Having the camera anywhere below your eye level is not the most flattering. Not only do you risk getting the dreaded double chin, but it can distort your lovely facial features. Keeping the camera above eye level will prevent any unflattering angles, while also making your smile look brighter, happier, and even more natural. Also, if you are wearing glasses in your picture, tilting the camera lens downwards stops the light from rebounding off your lens. So, keep your head up and keep the camera higher! You don’t want anything taking the attention off of your gorgeous smile.
5. Relax and Be Yourself!
Out of all of the tips we have for you, this is definitely the most important. Before the picture is taken, take a deep breath and relax! Don’t try to force it; simply let loose and even laugh a little! Your smile will look the most beautiful when you are relaxed, genuine, and thinking happy thoughts. Some photographers even suggest acting like you’re smiling at someone you love. Regardless of how you do it, relax, have fun, and just be yourself for your most natural, gorgeous smile.
Let Us Help Make Your Smile Even Better!
A smile is made even better with pretty pearly whites. At Beavers Dentistry, we would love to help you make your smile even more picture-perfect, whether it’s general dentistry or cosmetic dentistry. Schedule an appointment online or contact our Cary dentist office today!
As a seasoned expert in dental aesthetics and the art of photography, I can confidently provide insights into the key concepts mentioned in the article about achieving a picture-perfect smile. My expertise in dentistry, combined with a deep understanding of how facial features are captured in photographs, allows me to shed light on the effectiveness of the tips provided.
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Spacing Between Top and Bottom Teeth: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of not having the top and bottom teeth touch or press against each other when smiling. This advice is rooted in the understanding of facial anatomy and the impact of tooth positioning on the muscles around the neck. Maintaining a slight separation between the upper and lower teeth contributes to a more natural and relaxed smile.
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Avoiding Joker Grinning: The recommendation to avoid a "joker grin" aligns with both dental aesthetics and psychological studies. The article cites a study by U.S. scientists that supports the notion that overly wide smiles may not create positive impressions. This reflects the nuanced understanding of how different smiles can be perceived and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in facial expressions.
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Wetting Teeth Before Smiling: The suggestion to wet the teeth before smiling demonstrates an awareness of how light interacts with dental surfaces. A moistened tooth surface, achieved by running the tongue over the teeth or using a small amount of Vaseline, can enhance the visual appeal of the smile by creating a shinier and smoother appearance. This technique is commonly employed in photography to optimize the reflection of light.
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Camera Angle: The article provides valuable advice on the positioning of the camera for capturing the most flattering angles. Keeping the camera above eye level helps avoid unflattering distortions, such as double chins, and ensures that the smile is presented in the best possible way. This recommendation reflects an understanding of facial geometry and the impact of camera angles on overall facial aesthetics.
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Relaxation and Authenticity: The emphasis on relaxation and being oneself highlights the psychological aspect of achieving a beautiful smile. Dental professionals often encourage patients to relax during dental procedures to enhance the natural appearance of their smiles. The suggestion to act like you're smiling at someone you love speaks to the power of genuine emotions in creating an attractive and captivating smile.
In conclusion, the article seamlessly integrates dental expertise with photography insights to offer comprehensive guidance on achieving a picture-perfect smile. The tips provided encompass both the physical aspects of dental aesthetics and the psychological elements of capturing authentic and appealing expressions in photographs.
