How to Correct a Crooked Smile

What causes a crooked smile? There are several factors that can contribute to a crooked smile, including habits like chewing more on one side of your mouth, crooked or crowded teeth, injury, soft tissue damage, facial nerve paralysis, or even genetics. There are many different reasons why your smile might not be perfectly symmetrical, and some of these causes may only be temporary.

• Even the emotional state you’re experiencing can cause your smile to appear slightly crooked.

How can I tell if my smile is crooked? You can notice this in photos or when looking in the mirror. It may even cause you to avoid smiling broadly, grinning, or taking selfies.

• Your perception of yourself may be slightly distorted. Selfies, webcam videos, and photos can be warped, even when your smile in real life looks perfectly fine!

Should I fix my crooked smile? You don’t need to worry about fixing your smile if you don’t want to! Everyone has some degree of facial asymmetry. A slightly crooked smile can even add to your unique charm. You should only consider addressing it if it affects your confidence or makes you feel self-conscious.

• If your teeth are crooked or misaligned, it could potentially harm your oral health in the long run. Speak to a dentist if you have concerns about this.

Chew evenly on both sides of your mouth. If you habitually chew on one side, that side of your jaw may become stronger than the other. Try alternating between chewing on both the left and right sides of your mouth instead of always using your dominant side.

• For example, chew on the right side, then switch to the left, and alternate back while eating.

Sleep on both sides of your body. Your jaw muscles can gradually become misaligned if only one side of your face is pressed against the pillow while the other side is not. Try alternating between lying on your left and right sides to prevent this from happening.

• If you sleep on your back, there’s no need to worry about switching sides.

Smile to show your teeth if you have a wide mouth. People with wider mouths who try to smile with their lips closed may end up making their smile look more uneven. Instead, smile broadly and show your teeth to create a more balanced look with your face.

• This isn't a strict rule, so feel free to experiment with different types of smiles to see which one looks and feels best for you.

Smile with your lips together if you have a small mouth. A small mouth and thin lips may look better if you avoid showing your teeth while smiling. You can smile with your lips closed or just slightly parted when taking photos.

• As mentioned before, try various smiles to find the one that complements your face the best and feels the most natural.

Say “iiiii” and “ooooo.” While saying “iiii,” exaggerate your smile and hold it for about 15 seconds. Then switch to saying “oooo” while puckering your lips as if whistling, and hold that for 15–20 seconds.

• Repeat this exercise 10 times a day to strengthen the muscles around your mouth.
• While facial exercises are often thought to help fix a crooked smile, there is no scientific evidence supporting this.

Try the 'fish face' exercise. Suck in your cheeks until they meet inside your mouth. Hold this position and move your lips up and down for about 10 seconds.

• This exercise helps strengthen the cheek muscles.

Hold a pencil in your mouth. Place a pencil horizontally in your mouth, just behind your canine teeth, then close your mouth tightly to hold the pencil in place. Turn your head to the right, then to the left while keeping the pencil in your mouth. Next, look up and then down.

• Try doing this exercise three times a day to strengthen your jaw muscles.

Swipe your tongue around your upper teeth. Close your mouth and use your tongue to swipe over your upper molars, first to the right, then to the left. Repeat this movement several times to help strengthen your tongue and facial muscles.

• You can perform this exercise 10 times a day.

Hold a spoon in your mouth. Place the handle of a spoon in your mouth, holding it between your lips with the spoon's head pointing straight ahead. Use your lips to keep the spoon in place for 5-10 seconds or as long as possible.

• The weight of the spoon will help exercise the muscles.
• Gradually, you can increase the time and hold the spoon between your lips for up to 1 minute each time.

Use concealer to define your lips for a more balanced look. Dab a little concealer or foundation and apply it evenly over your lips to create a smooth base. Use a matte lip liner, slightly darker than your natural lip color, to outline the uneven areas. Then, apply lipstick over the lip liner to make your lips appear more symmetrical and fuller.

• Be careful at first and avoid overdoing it. Drawing lips too large or full can attract too much attention, especially in natural light.
• This is not something you need to do daily, but it can enhance your charm when you're wearing makeup.

Plump your lips with dermal fillers. Ask your cosmetic surgeon about lip filler injections to enhance your lips' volume. You can request a light filler with a small amount to help balance out your lips and achieve a more natural effect.

• This is a quick procedure, typically taking only 15 to 30 minutes per session.
• If you decide to get lip fillers, make sure you consult a licensed cosmetic surgeon.
• Keep in mind that lip fillers are not permanent, so you may need to get touch-ups over time.

Consider lip tattooing to enhance color and fullness. Semi-permanent tattooing can add pigment to your lips, making them appear fuller. Visit a professional tattoo artist to discuss your goals and see if this technique will achieve the desired effect.

• Unlike regular tattoos, cosmetic lip tattoos will fade over time. You may need a touch-up every 2-3 years as the color gradually fades.
• Most lip tattoo pigments are subtle, so the results may not be immediately noticeable to others.

Choose lip implants for a permanent solution. If you're truly dissatisfied with the asymmetry of your lips, there are permanent surgical options available. Ask a cosmetic surgeon about lip implants (a graft placed inside the lip to add fullness and balance), fat grafting (transferring fat from your abdomen to your lips), or tissue grafting (transferring a patch of skin from another part of your body to your lips).

• These procedures are more invasive and each comes with its own risks. Be sure to consult with a licensed surgeon to discuss the options and risks before deciding on this permanent solution.

Straighten your teeth with braces. If your smile is uneven due to crooked teeth, consult an orthodontist about braces. Braces are not a quick fix – it may take a year or longer to straighten misaligned teeth. However, the results can be outstanding.

• If you prefer not to wear traditional braces, ask your orthodontist about clear aligners as an alternative.

Try dental veneers to elongate your teeth. If your teeth are chipped or too short, ask your dentist about applying dental veneers. These thin porcelain shells cover the front of your teeth, giving you a bright and even smile with minimal effort.

• Your teeth and gums need to be in good health for veneers to be applied, so continue to brush and floss regularly!
• Veneers are a long-lasting solution, but over time they may loosen. You may need to have them adjusted or replaced later on.

Get dental crowns to reshape your teeth. If only a few of your teeth are misaligned or chipped, ask your dentist about dental crowns. These crowns fit over individual teeth, helping them appear fuller and stronger.

• Crowns can also help stabilize weak or broken teeth.

Press your tongue behind your upper teeth for a perfect smile. Before smiling, push your tongue to the roof of your mouth and press it against your upper teeth. When you smile, you’ll reveal just the right amount of gum (not too much, not too little).

• This trick is often used by movie stars on the red carpet to ensure their smile looks flawless in photos.

Pout your lips to make them appear fuller. Before smiling, slightly pout your lips as if you're about to kiss someone. Try to maintain this feeling in your lips as you smile to create a naturally full look in photos.

• This is a great way to make your lips look plump without needing any cosmetic procedures.

Step back from the camera lens. Taking photos too close to the lens can distort the image and unbalance the features on your face. Try standing at least 1 to 1.2 meters away from the lens, then adjust your position slightly to find the most flattering angle.

• Standing too far from the lens can also make your facial features appear odd or blurry. Aim to find the ideal distance for the best photo.

Choose a 70 to 100 mm lens for the most natural angle. If you're using a professional camera, the lens you select can significantly affect your appearance in the photo. A 70 mm or 100 mm lens will minimize distortion and maintain a balanced proportion.

• The perfect lens for you might vary slightly, so feel free to experiment with different ones to find the right fit.

Use the warp tool in photo editing software to adjust your smile. Import the image into editing software and use the warp tool to highlight the mouth area. Gently lift or lower one side of the mouth to correct any noticeable asymmetry.

• Be careful when editing! Overdoing it may make the photo look unnatural.
• If you're working with a professional photographer, you can ask them to edit your smile in post-production.

• Everyone has a slightly uneven smile. Your asymmetry might not be noticeable at all!

• If you decide to undergo cosmetic surgery, make sure to choose a licensed surgeon.