How to Smile

Smiling is a natural action for many people, but for others, it can be a bit challenging. Smiling beautifully in photos, selfies, and in daily life can be difficult, especially if you're unsure of which type of smile makes you shine. Despite this, there are several tips to help you achieve the perfect smile in any situation.

Relax your eyebrows and jaw muscles. If you're feeling tense, your smile may appear forced and may create additional wrinkles around your eyes and eyebrows. Take a deep breath and relax your facial muscles before you smile. Quickly closing and reopening your eyes can also be helpful.

Say “kim chi” when you smile. This method works better than saying “cheese.” When you say “kim chi,” your face naturally forms a smile, and the rest of your face relaxes. This is a secret that celebrities use when taking photos.

Think of something funny. If you can't form a natural smile, try making yourself laugh. You could recall a funny story, tell yourself a joke, or think of adorable puppies playing in the sunshine to help you smile.

Place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. The next step is to lift the corners of your mouth to create a gentle smile. By placing your tongue on the roof of your mouth, your cheek and jaw muscles are engaged, helping your face appear slimmer and more natural.

• You can also slightly part your lips for a subtle, cute smile.

Look in the mirror. This may sound silly, but it's the only way to know what your smile looks like. If you want to change or perfect your smile, stand in front of a bathroom or bedroom mirror and smile. Do this a few times a day and adjust until you're satisfied with your smile.

Combine a smile with a pout. This creates the “typical social media face.” You don’t have to pucker your lips if you don’t want to—simply smile naturally and then press your lips together before taking the photo.

Try different angles. When taking a selfie, it’s important to know at what height to hold your camera. After snapping a few pictures, experiment by moving your phone from left to right and slightly tilting your head. Once you find your “best angle” or a flattering side of your face, practice smiling while looking at the camera from that angle.

Start your day with a smile exercise. Stand in front of the mirror and observe your face as you smile. Remind yourself that today, you will smile more, and practice smiling for about 5 minutes. This is an effective way to begin smiling more each day!

Be around things that make you smile. These could be friends, family, pets, or your favorite book. When you're happy or content with life, you'll smile more often every day.

Take care of your oral hygiene. Brush your teeth and tongue regularly, always carry dental floss so you can clean your teeth after eating, and keep breath-freshening products with you. The more you take care of your smile, the more beautiful it will be!

Visit the dentist regularly. Maintaining your oral health and getting checkups is essential for a bright smile. If you're concerned about crooked teeth, you can ask your dentist for advice on orthodontics.

Limit activities that can cause your teeth to become yellowed or stained. These include smoking and drinking beverages like red wine, coffee, or soda. If you notice your teeth becoming slightly discolored or yellow, gradually reduce these habits. If you're concerned, you could also explore teeth whitening treatments to improve the appearance and color of your teeth.

Relax the upper lip muscles using botox. If your upper lip tends to rise excessively when you smile, botox injections can help relax these muscles. This way, your lip will lower during a smile, covering more of your gums.

Consider undergoing gum surgery or lip repositioning surgery. Both procedures can be performed by a dentist or oral surgeon. During gum surgery, a portion of the gum tissue around your teeth is removed to push the gum line upward. In lip repositioning surgery, the surgeon makes two incisions in the gum tissue beneath the lip and adds a small piece of tissue to keep the lip in a lower position, reducing the exposure of your gums.

• As these are cosmetic surgeries, they are typically not covered by insurance. Be sure to consult your provider for cost information.

• When taking pictures, you can laugh loudly or giggle to appear more natural.
• When meeting someone for the first time, greet them with a smile. It’s a great way to start a new relationship.