Page 47 - Waterfall City_Issue 10_2022
P. 47

UNMASK




        THAT SMILE








        There have been many lessons learnt from the pandemic – one of the

        most important being how often we used to overlook the value of a

        simple smile. Dr Sheryl Smithies believes that understanding the frame

        of your face and smile is key to your personal beauty.


        U       sually, a smile is the first   and showing your teeth when smiling,   skin gets looser and thinner, which

                                            you automatically create the illusion
                                                                                causes our teeth to become weaker,
                thing noticed on a person
                                                                                move and become more crooked.
                when you look at their face.
                                            that your face is symmetrical. Ideally
                Widely considered to reveal
                                            more of front teeth when you smile
        the beauty of the soul, a smile exudes   you want to reveal at least 3mm or   Our gums also move and in some
                                                                                cases even shrink, which can cause
        warmth and approachability, and     to create proportionality in the face. If   recession. The good news though is
        is the facilitator of conversation. A   you feel embarrassed by the condition   that there are many ways we can slow
        pretty smile is not just nice to look at   of your teeth, then start with a gentle   the aging process around the mouth.
        though – a glistening smile generally   and thorough cleansing regime –
        means rosy cheeks and bright        incorporating good dental hygiene and   Facial fillers can help make our
        eyes – which are all signs of good   teeth whitening practices if necessary.   bone structure appear to stay in the
        health, vigour and youthfulness.                                        same youthful shape, while tooth
                                            2. Jaws, Jaws, Jaws                 alignment can straighten the teeth
        Yet, just like the rest of our body,   The positioning, size and shape of your   and prevent movement. A simple
        our smile changes over time. Dental   top and bottom jaws will affect the   gum surgery can be performed
        surgeon and facial aesthetic practitioner,   overall look of your smile – eg. you may   to bring the teeth forward (within
        Dr Sheryl Smithies shares her three   have a small, dark smile, or a very large   reason), while the upper lip, which
        top tips to ensure your smile is always   and gummy type of smile.      tends to droop as we age, can be
        healthy, picture-perfect, and beautifully                               lifted with another simple surgery.
        complements your facial features.   The positioning of your jaws also plays   There are also plenty of antiaging
                                            a big role in how your face presents   treatments on the market, including
        THREE WAYS TO ALIGN                 itself, as it affects how far forward or   peels, fillers, toxins, and threads –
        YOUR SMILE WITH YOUR                back your chin is and whether your   and in the most extreme cases, smile
        FACIAL FEATURES                     nose tip goes down or up, for example.   rehabilitation can be done using
        1. Smile widely to create symmetry   Straightening your jaws will help   bonding or porcelain veneers to
        Dr Smithies says that so many people   straighten your teeth and improve   create an entirely new smile.
        feel ashamed to smile properly because   your smile. In some cases, it can also
        they are unhappy with their teeth. Not   improve the way you bite and chew   Smiling is so important. As well as
        opening the lips when smiling might   food. Chat to your dentist about any   being highly contagious, a smile can
        seem like the best solution to conceal   concerns you may have and consider   make a person feel more attractive,
        discoloured or crooked teeth, but this   bonding or veneers to bring back a   positive and happy. Research has also
        does more harm than good. A closed   youthful jaw shape over time.      shown that smiling helps you live
        mouth pulls other facial muscles into a                                 longer and can even reduce stress
        different position and, after a while, this   3. Maintain a natural youthful   and blood pressure levels.
        can make the face look unnatural and   appearance
        cartoon-like.                       Our bone, skin, gums, and teeth all   The path to the perfect smile starts
                                            age as we do, and over time this    with good dental hygiene and
        Although no one has a perfectly     changes our facial structure and    understanding how your smile can
        symmetrical face, by parting your lips   alters our smile. As we get older, our   enhance your existing facial features.


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