How Gum Health Can Affect Your Smile

In case anyone ever needed another reason to take proper care of their teeth, gums, and overall oral health, it turns out that healthy gums and teeth could not only strengthen one’s oral health, but they can also affect the smile patterns we ultimately develop, as per a recently published study in the Journal of Periodontology . The researchers involved in this study discovered evidence suggesting periodontal disease influences how we smile. Specifically, the conclusion they came to was periodontal disease could negatively affect individuals' smiling tendencies and even dissuade them from showing positive emotions via a smile.

According to Dr. Marita Inglehart, the study’s main author, "Since periodontal disease is prevalent in such a large number of adults, we sought to investigate if the disease affects a person's smiling behavior. Smiling plays a significant and essential role in overall well-being. Previous findings suggest that smiling can affect social interactions, self-confidence, and can influence how people perceive one another."

The study, which took place at University of Michigan, assessed 21 patients with periodontal disease and their smiling patterns while they watched a part of a comedic program. During predetermined times in the program, the researchers evaluated three specific sizes in the patients' smiles: the mouth’s horizontal width, the mouth’s open width, and the amount teeth that were visible.

As well, the researchers recorded each time a patient covered his or her mouth while viewing the program. Each patient’s distinct ideas regarding how his or her quality of life was affected by his or her dental health were considered as well. The collected data were later evaluated as well as a medical examination of the individuals' periodontal health.

It was discovered upon evaluation that, during the study, the more indicators a patient with periodontal disease had in his or her mouth, including moving or loose teeth or periodontal pockets that were between four or six millimeters in depth, the more probable it was that a patient would cover his or her mouth while smiling or limit how much he or she opened the mouth while smiling. As well, if a periodontal patient’s gums were more receded, he or she would show fewer teeth during a smile. The way in which a patient perceived his or her quality of life resulting from oral health also correlated significantly with the specific teeth that had been affected negatively due to periodontal disease.

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