How To Have A Perfect Smile: 10 Tips For Improving Your Smile

What if you could make every photo of yourself 100% better with a few easy tricks? 

Many of us hate taking pictures because we’re embarrassed by our teeth. And that means we have trouble smiling on command.

Wondering how to have a perfect smile so you never fear another photo? Just keep reading to learn the secret!

1. Tooth Whitening

One reason people get nervous about smiling is that color of their teeth. Hollywood has trained us to love perfectly white teeth, so anything less than that can make us feel our teeth are unhealthy.

Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to whiten your teeth. The most basic version is to use toothpaste every day that is designed to do that.

You can also use a special tooth whitening agent at night. It only takes a few minutes and makes a real difference in your smile!

2. Gentle Smile

Another reason some people have a “bad” smile is they are always forcing it in photos. You can avoid this by trying a gentle smile instead.

You can practice in front of a mirror if you need to (more on this in a bit). But a relaxed smile means your eyes are open, your face is not tense, and your mouth is slightly open.

If nothing else, you can compare your bad photos to some good photos of others to better understand the difference between a forced smile and a gentle one.

3. Smile More Often

Sometimes, we hate smiling and end up creating a “self-fulfilling prophecy.” This is because we avoid doing it and then we’re bad at it when we need to do it on command.

One solution is easy to do: start smiling more often! It may require an initial adjustment, but it can make a really big difference.

Smile more in conversations with friends and coworkers. And start telling more jokes and humorous stories so the smiling feels nice and natural.

4. Crowning

People may want a solution to yellow teeth that is more permanent than whitening every night. If that describes you, then you may be interested in getting crowns.

A crown over a tooth can make it look white and natural. Furthermore, a crown restores the natural shape of a tooth, which is great if you have teeth that have been damaged.

And a crown is just one possibility. Other forms of cosmetic dentistry can go a long way to creating a beautiful smile for every picture!

5. All About Posture

We have focused a lot on how your teeth look in a photo. However, it is sometimes our teeth that are making other parts of our bodies look weird.

For example, some hate smiling in photos because their teeth give them the appearance of a double chin. You can actually fix this problem by simply standing up straighter!

No, really: those particular bad photos are caused when your body is slouching or your head is bending too far forward. By standing up straighter for every photo, you can make this problem a thing of the past.

6. Practice Different Smiles

It’s easy to see why people wonder how to get a better smile. This is because there are so many different types of smiles!

You may have no trouble smiling for a coworker or loved one but then you freeze for a holiday picture. How to solve this problem? Simple: start practicing different smiles.

Start by practicing the relaxed smile we mentioned above. Next, start practicing a more formal smile for photos. 

An easy way to make a formal smile better is to push your tongue against your front teeth when you do it. This makes your lips feel fuller and can help cover any gaps.

7. Veneers

The front of your teeth is the most visible part. If that part looks discolored or damaged, though, it can make smiling an uncomfortable chore.

A good solution to this issue is getting veneers. These are designed to look like your natural teeth and go right over the front.

The end result is a smile that looks cleaner and more natural. You’ll start smiling a lot more after this!

8. Take Care of the Gums

It may sound obvious, but “how to have a good smile” starts with having a “good mouth.” And that means taking care of your gums.

Beyond simple brushing, you can take care of your gums through flossing and using an antibacterial mouthwash every day and night. This can ward off tooth decay and even give you better breath.

Needless to say, when your teeth are healthier and your mouth feels fresh, smiling will be easier.

9. Think Happy Thoughts

What are you thinking about when someone calls for a holiday photo? Many people reading this are simply thinking “I really hate smiling for photos.”

How do you think you look when you’re thinking about something you hate? That’s right: stressed and miserable, and it shows in your photo.

Instead, take a cue from Tinkerbell and think happy thoughts. Start thinking about your favorite joke or an old memory that always makes you laugh.

The idea is to make yourself really and truly smile. And just like that, you will look more relaxed and happy for each photo.

10. Regular Dental Visits

We’ve talked a lot about reacting to dental issues. For example, using crowns or veneers to restore the shape and color of old and damaged teeth.

However, the biggest key to a better smile is proactive instead of reactive. You need to find a good dentist and visit them multiple times a year.

Regular cleanings will keep your smile looking brighter, and the dentist can help ward off decay and other serious dental issues. Your teeth will look better and you will feel better, making smiling feel nice and natural.