YOUR smile plays a major role in how you perceive yourself, as well as in the impressions you make on the people around you. Surveys have shown that more than any other physical feature – eyes, hair, or body – the smile is what both men and women find most attractive in other people. A charming smile can open doors and knock down barriers that stand between you and a fuller, richer life. If, on the other hand, you are dissatisfied with your smile, it may be holding you back from fully embracing life and its opportunities.
Are you ready for a new smile? Perhaps you have wondered whether straighter teeth might help you feel more confident in your professional life, or if a whiter, brighter smile might boost a dwindling social life. If you’re not completely happy with your smile, perhaps it’s time to get a new one!

If you are unhappy with your appearance, you already know it. The dilemma lies in determining where you need improvement. Many people erroneously believe that all their facial defects reside in their smile when, in fact, their flaws lie elsewhere. In these cases, cosmetic or oral surgery or perhaps just a new hairstyle or updated makeup, rather than dental treatment, may be more helpful. Take the quiz below to determine if changing your smile might give you the boost you’re looking for.

Are you confident when smiling?
Do you ever put your hand over your mouth when you smile?
Do you photograph better from one side of your face?
Is there someone you believe has a better smile than you?
Do you look at models in magazines and wish your smile looked like theirs?
When you look at your smile in the mirror, do you see any defects in your teeth and gums?
Do you wish your teeth were whiter?
Are you satisfied with the way your gums look?
Do you show too many or few teeth when you smile?
Are your teeth too long or too short?
Are your teeth too wide or too narrow?
Are your teeth too square or too round?
Do you like the way your teeth are shaped?
If most of the answers above are “ yes”, then you need to see your dentist.
Keep in mind that people don’t always look at you directly from the front. Defects that are minimal from one perspective may be prominent from another view. As you’re performing the smile analysis, consider the angles at which people are most likely to view you. For example, if you’re short, most people look at you from above. Therefore, pay particular attention to your lower teeth, especially the biting edges.
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t see what’s in the back part of your mouth, but observers see it every day when you speak or laugh. Some people reveal most of their teeth in a wide smile. That’s why it’s important to evaluate every part that shows, not just those that are most apparent.
If you’re not happy with your smile, or if you’re curious about the possibilities of changing it, take the test below. One purpose of this test is to make you aware that a smile consists of not only the front four or six teeth but all of the teeth and gum tissue that show when you’re speaking or when your lips are in your maximum smiling position. It’s important to know the components of a beautiful smile so that you can discuss your particular problems with your dentist and develop a treatment plan that meets your long-term goals.
In order to evaluate your smile:
In a slight smile, with teeth parted, do the tips of your teeth show?
Are the lengths of your central incisors in good proportion with your other front teeth?
Are the widths of your central incisors in good proportion with your other front teeth?
Do you have space (or spaces) between your front teeth?
Do your front teeth stick out?
Are your front teeth crowded or overlapping?
When you smile broadly, are your teeth all the same light colour?
If your front teeth contain tooth-coloured fillings, do they match the shade of your teeth?
Is one of your front teeth darker than the others?
Are your six lower front teeth straight and even in length?
Are your back teeth free of stains and discolourations from unsightly restorations?
Do your restorations – fillings, porcelain, veneers, and crowns – look natural?
Do any of your teeth have visible cracks, chips, or fractures?
Do you have any missing teeth that you have not replaced?
When you smile broadly, do your gums show?
Are your gums red and swollen?
Have your gums receded from the necks of your teeth?
Do the curvatures of your gums create half-moon shapes around each tooth?
Is your mouth free of decay and gum disease, which can cause bad breath?
Do your cheeks and lip area have a sunken-in appearance?
Does the midline of your teeth align with the midline of your face?
Do your teeth complement your facial shape?
Is the shape of your teeth appropriately masculine or feminine for your overall look?
If your “yes” answers total more than your “no”, your mouth is in good shape. Congratulations!