MANY of my patients with decayed or chipped front teeth come into the dental office and hold their hand over their mouth or use a closed-lip smile to conceal their unsightly teeth. Even when they talk or smile after their dental problem has been corrected, they leave the office still holding their hand over their mouth or using a tight-lipped smile. In addition to improving the appearance of their teeth, they need to relearn how to smile properly to project their new image.

I believe that a beautiful smile can serve to radiate health and self-confidence and bring good things to our lives. The fact is that when we smile, most of our facial muscles are utilised in an upward fashion, and this is usually an uplifting experience.

A teaching programme of smile exercises is strongly indicated. The results can be as valuable to the patients as the dental work itself. The exercises not only improve smiles by showing off their new teeth but also refine their facial appearance. Patients have noticed that an improved smile brought about by cosmetically correcting teeth and performing smile exercises has resulted in greater self-confidence and success in both their personal lives and careers.

The exercises are as follows: each morning, stand before the mirror and go through these steps.
1. Hold face in repose just before smiling.
2. Move the mouth to a small one-quarter smile and hold it for ten seconds.
3. Move to half a half smile and hold it for ten seconds.
4. Move to a big, full smile and hold that for ten seconds.
5. Slowly reverse back to a small smile.

This process should be done back and forth for at least five minutes. During this time, try to maintain a well-formed smile. This exercise must be done in a controlled fashion and employs two different principles of physiotherapy: isotonic and isometric exercises. Through isotonic exercises, the muscles are used repeatedly throughout their entire range of movement. They are brought into use slowly and gradually, increasing tension to the maximum, held taut, and gradually relaxed again. Done properly, this will be the most important smile exercise a patient can perform. This simple exercise is the best way to develop and control facial muscles to get that beautiful smile.

The second exercise is an isometric exercise and involves the closing of the smile against the resistance of the fingers, increasing the tone and strength of the muscles around the mouth. Make a big, full smile and hold the corners of the mouth firmly with the index fingers of both hands. Slowly close the lip back to no smile, against the resistance of the finger.
These exercises contain complementary components. Hence, it is important to have both exercises performed for maximum benefit. They should be done for 30 days. The exercises may seem unnatural; this is a normal response.

During this period, the mind consciously and unconsciously evaluates various facial configurations for the most attractive and appearing smile possible. The patient will also be familiar with how they look when they flash a smile and become aware of the effects that a charming smile has on others.