What Causes a Gummy Smile and Can You Fix It?

When your smile shows more gum than teeth, it’s easy to feel self-conscious—even if you brush and floss every day. You might avoid full smiles in photos or worry that something is “wrong,” even when your teeth are healthy.

A gummy smile, also known as excessive gingival display, is more common than most people realize. Roughly 10% of young adults have this type of smile, and it’s more common in women than men.

For many, it’s simply a cosmetic concern. But sometimes it signals a deeper issue with the teeth, gums, lips, or jaw—and treatment may help both appearance and oral health. Let’s start by defining what a gummy smile actually is.

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile means that more of your upper gums show when you smile than is typically expected. Dentists call this excessive gingival display, and they generally use a guideline of 3 to 4 millimeters of visible gum above the top teeth to define it.

That said, there’s no hard rule. What matters most is how you feel about your smile. In fact, some people show 1-2 millimeters of gum and still feel self-conscious, while others with more visible gum are perfectly comfortable.

Women naturally show a bit more gum than men, especially in younger years, and this often decreases with age as the lip lengthens.

Gummy smiles come in different types:

• Anterior ⁠**—** Too much gum above the front teeth

• Posterior — Mostly affects the back teeth

• Mixed — A blend of both

• Asymmetric — One side shows more than the other

Understanding the type and cause of your gummy smile is the first step toward deciding whether to treat it—and how.

Why Does Your Smile Look Gummy?

Several things can make your smile appear gummy, and they often work together. Your teeth, gums, lip movement, and jaw shape all play a role.

In many cases, your dentist will need to pinpoint which one is most responsible before recommending treatment.

Teeth and Eruption

If your teeth look small because your gums didn’t recede as expected after the teeth erupted, more gum may be left covering the crowns.

This is known as altered passive eruption. Your teeth may be completely healthy underneath, but hidden by excess gum.

Another cause is dentoalveolar extrusion, which happens when the front teeth overerupt (sometimes to compensate for tooth wear or a deep bite), pulling the gum with them. This can make the teeth look short and the smile more gummy—even if your gums are healthy.

Gums and Medications

Sometimes, the gums themselves grow larger or thicker. This may be due to genetics, chronic inflammation, or certain medications. A condition called gingival overgrowth can happen when you’re taking drugs like:

• Anti-seizure medications

• Immunosuppressants (e.g., after organ transplants)

• Calcium channel blockers (for high blood pressure)

These can cause firm, fibrous gum tissue that covers more of the tooth than normal. Deep cleaning may help reduce this, but surgery is sometimes needed.

Lips and Jaw

A hyperactive upper lip can lift higher than average when you smile, exposing more gum even if your teeth and gums are normal. Some people also have naturally short upper lips, which means less tissue to cover the gums.

Another common cause is vertical maxillary excess, in which the upper jaw is longer than usual. This pushes both the teeth and gum downward, making your smile look gummy even if the teeth themselves are in good shape.

These lip and jaw patterns are usually inherited, and they can’t be fixed with hygiene alone.

Fortunately, there are treatment options if they bother you. Ask your dentist which category best fits your smile—some people have more than one.

How Dentists Diagnose a Gummy Smile

Dentists follow a step-by-step process to figure out why your smile looks gummy. That way, they can recommend the right treatment instead of a one-size-fits-all solution.

First, they’ll look at how your teeth, gums, and lips move when you smile. They might measure:

• How much gum shows when you smile

• How much tooth shows when your mouth is at rest

• How far the upper lip lifts

• Whether the teeth look short or worn down

They may also take X-rays or photos from the side (called cephalometric images) to see your jaw position. This helps rule out vertical maxillary excess or other bone issues.

If gum overgrowth is suspected, a periodontal exam will be done. This includes checking gum pocket depth, inflammation, and the proximity of the gum and bone to the tooth. These details matter because healthy gums can still look excessive if they’re covering too much of the tooth crown.

You may be referred to a specialist:

• A periodontist if the gums are overgrown

• An orthodontist if tooth position is involved

• An oral surgeon if jaw structure is the cause

This team approach helps ensure you’re not treating the symptom without solving the root cause.

Non-Surgical Options for a Gummy Smile

Many people can reduce the look of a gummy smile without surgery. Your options depend on what’s causing the extra gum to show and how much of it there is.

Orthodontic Treatment

Braces or clear aligners can help reposition your teeth if they’ve erupted too far or if you have a deep bite. Sometimes, small anchor screws called temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are placed in the bone to move the teeth upward gently.

This treatment can reduce gum display by a few millimeters in mild-to-moderate cases. It works best when the issue is tooth position rather than jaw shape.

Botox and Filler

If your upper lip lifts too high, Botulinum toxin (Botox) can temporarily limit its movement. Tiny injections near the nose relax the muscles that pull the lip upward. Most people see a difference in about a week, and the effect lasts 3 to 4 months.

Hyaluronic acid fillers can also add volume to the upper lip, helping it cover more gum. Results last about 6 to 18 months and can be reversed if the filler is hyaluronic acid (using hyaluronidase).

Before trying either of these, your provider should confirm that the problem is with the lip, not the gums or jaw.

Here’s how these non-surgical options compare:

• Orthodontics — best for tooth eruption or bite issues; permanent results over time

• Botox — best for hyperactive lips; fast but temporary

• Filler — best for thin lips; adds volume and may reduce gum show

Ask your provider which of these makes sense for your specific smile.

Gum-Focused Treatments for a Gummy Smile

If your gums are inflamed, overgrown, or simply covering too much tooth surface, gum-focused procedures can help. These treatments work directly on the soft tissue—and sometimes the bone—to improve both health and appearance.

Scaling and Root Planing

When gums are swollen due to plaque or inflammation, a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing (SRP) is the first step. Your dentist cleans below the gumline to remove hardened plaque (tartar) and smooths the roots so your gums can reattach.

This treatment can reduce puffiness, shrink inflamed gum tissue, and, in some cases, reveal more tooth structure naturally. It’s often done before cosmetic procedures to ensure the gums are healthy.

If your gummy smile is linked to gum disease or drug-induced overgrowth, SRP may be the first step, but drug-induced gingival overgrowth often also requires addressing the medication (with the prescribing clinician) and may still require surgical treatment.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a procedure that reshapes your gums and, if needed, the bone around your teeth to expose more of the tooth’s surface. It’s often used when your teeth look short because of excess gum or because they didn’t fully erupt.

Your dentist or periodontist numbs the area with a local anesthetic and gently removes some gum and bone. This makes the teeth appear longer and more proportionate.

Why this treatment works:

• Exposes more tooth structure for esthetics or restorations

• Corrects an altered passive eruption where the gum and bone stayed too high

• Creates lasting results when bone position is adjusted properly

Recovery usually takes weeks for early healing, but full tissue stability can take a few months. Some mild swelling or sensitivity is normal.

Gingivectomy Options

A gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue using a laser or scalpel. In some cases, the underlying bone may also need to be reshaped. It’s effective when the gums are thick or overgrown, provided the bone level is healthy.

This may be right for you if:

• You have drug-related gingival overgrowth

• Your gums are hiding healthy teeth

• There’s enough attached gum left after trimming

The results are visible immediately, though some swelling is normal. Gingivectomy can be done on one tooth or several across your smile line.

Veneers and Whitening as Supplemental Treatments

Once your gums are in a better position, cosmetic dentistry can help refine the final look of your smile. This step is optional, but for many people, it’s the one that brings everything together.

Porcelain veneers are thin shells that fit over the front of your teeth to improve their shape, size, and color. They’re especially helpful if your teeth still look short or square after gum reshaping.

Whitening is often done before placing veneers to ensure a uniform color or afterward to match any uncovered teeth. Many dentists also pair veneers with gum procedures for a complete smile makeover.

In some mild cases, veneers alone may slightly shift how the gums appear, but they don’t remove gum tissue.

Surgical Options for Severe Gummy Smiles

For more pronounced gummy smiles, especially those caused by jaw size or lip movement, surgery may offer the most lasting change. These procedures are typically reserved for moderate to severe cases.

Orthognathic Jaw Surgery

If your upper jaw is too long vertically (vertical maxillary excess), orthognathic surgery may be recommended. This procedure moves the upper jaw upward to reduce gum show and rebalance your facial proportions.

The surgery involves general anesthesia and a hospital stay. It’s often done after orthodontic prep and followed by further braces to fine-tune your bite.

Here are key facts about jaw surgery:

• Permanently reduces gum show by repositioning the bone

• Improves bite and facial balance

• Recovery takes several weeks, with swelling and soft foods at first

• Costs can exceed $20,000, though insurance may help if bite issues are involved

This is the most comprehensive fix, but also the most invasive. If your gummy smile is due to bone structure, a specialist can walk you through what to expect.

Lip Repositioning

If the issue is a hyperactive upper lip, a less invasive option is lip repositioning surgery. In this outpatient procedure, your surgeon removes a strip of tissue from inside the upper lip and sutures it lower, limiting how far it rises when you smile.

Most people see a reduction of a few millimeters (results vary) in gum display, while recovery often takes 1 to 2 weeks for initial healing. Lip repositioning can be a good middle ground for those who want more than Botox but don’t need jaw surgery.

Recovery Tips and At-Home Care

Healing after a gummy smile procedure depends on the treatment, but a few basics apply across the board.

Plan for these recovery essentials:

• Eat soft foods like yogurt, scrambled eggs, and smoothies for a few days

• Brush gently near treated areas and use any rinses provided

• Avoid smoking or alcohol, which can delay healing

• Use ice packs and pain relievers to manage swelling or discomfort

• Watch for warning signs, like increasing pain, bleeding, or pus

Most discomfort fades within about a week after minor procedures, but more extensive surgery can take longer. If you had surgery involving bone, expect several weeks for complete healing. Follow your provider’s instructions closely, and don’t hesitate to call if something feels off.

Should You Treat a Gummy Smile?

You don’t have to treat a gummy smile unless it’s affecting your health or your confidence. Many people choose not to do anything, and that’s okay. Others feel more comfortable after even a small change.

Start by asking yourself:

• Does it bother me in social situations?

• Am I open to treatment, or does it feel overwhelming?

• Would I prefer a temporary or permanent fix?

• What’s my budget or insurance situation?

Costs range from around $200 for Botox to over $20,000 for jaw surgery. Most cosmetic procedures are out-of-pocket, but procedures related to health issues, such as gum overgrowth or bite correction, may be partially covered.

If you’re on the fence, a consultation can clarify what’s possible and whether small steps are enough.

When to See a Dental Professional

If your smile feels off—or if you’ve noticed new changes in your gums—it’s a good idea to see a dentist.

Schedule an evaluation if you notice:

• Bleeding, swelling, or tenderness in the gums

• Loose teeth or deep pockets

• Jaw pain or bite problems

• A smile that bothers you more over time

Start with your general dentist. They may refer you to a periodontist (gum specialist), orthodontist, or oral surgeon, depending on what’s needed.