Selfies and casual photos with friends have become a daily fact of life, thanks to the ubiquitous nature of smart phones. Yet many people hate the way they look in photos, and quite a few of those focus on their own smiles. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a Hollywood bombshell to flash a beautiful smile every time. You just need to follow a few simple tips.
Smile Naturally
One of the biggest mistakes that non-professional smilers make is forcing a smile. A big, wide-open grin can look more like a grimace through the camera lens. At the opposite end, avoid the quick, face-crinkling smile that shows up when you run into an old friend, which can make your face look awkwardly scrunched in the photo.
Instead, choose a gentle, relaxed, natural smile. Let your lower lip follow the natural curve of your bottom teeth, and your mouth open just slightly. This is the slightly dreamy smile brought on by thoughts of a loved one or memories of a favorite event.
Choose the Right Lipstick
The lipstick shade you choose can actually affect the color of your teeth in photographs. If your teeth are slightly yellowed or stained, select a color with pink or blue undertones. Look for darker shades such as berry, wine, or plum. If you prefer pinks, try a rose rather than a true pink. Any color that is extremely bright or intense, such as a true red, can reproduce strangely in photos.
Take Practice Photos
Everyone has their own best angles, most natural smile, and other individual features. If you have a big event coming up where you know you will be photographed, take the time to play with your look. Start by scrutinizing your reflection in a mirror as you toss your hair and try out different poses. When you find a few you like, snap a handful of selfies. What you see in the mirror may be different than what you see in the camera lens, so test out your favorite looks in photographs.
Consider a Smile Makeover
If your teeth have seen better days, consider a smile makeover. This is the process of correcting imperfections and giving you the best possible smile. If you have any current dental health issues, they must be addressed first.
After that, the sky is the limit. Your dentist will take photos and X-rays, check out photos of any smiles you really like, and work hand in hand with you to design your ideal smile. Be careful with the concept of the “perfect smile,” though, as a perfect smile rarely looks natural. Instead, work with your dentist to design a natural-looking smile that complements your features.
Depending on the cosmetic issues you have, your smile makeover might include one or many different treatments. For example, you might use Invisalign to straighten your teeth and then whiten them or add veneers. Your dentist will work hard to “balance” your smile as well, ensuring that the color and shape of each tooth blends into a harmonious whole.
Fortunately, digital design equipment lets you see exactly what your new smile will look like before you commit. Your dentist will photograph your existing smile, and then use technology to morph it into the new smile you are considering. When you are happy with the digital results, your dentist will create a wax mockup that lets you try out the results. This gives you the opportunity to see how your new smile looks and feels, while allowing the dentist to make any needed adjustments to ensure that your new smile is just as functional as it is beautiful.
Looking great in photographs comes naturally to models, actresses, and other professional smilers, but it can be tough for the average person. Depending on the current condition of your teeth, you might simply need a new lipstick color and a bit of practice, or you might benefit from a full smile makeover. Either way, it is relatively simple to achieve the photogenic smile of your dreams.
Married dentists Chad and Alexandra Schnabel welcome you to Savannah Dental Solutions. From caring children’s dentistry to high-tech cosmetic procedures and even full-mouth reconstruction, we blend the latest technology with traditional customer-oriented values. To start your journey to better oral health, call us today at (912) 354-1366.
