I get what you mean about relaxing in photos. For years, I was so self-conscious about my “gummy” grin that I’d go stiff as a board every time someone pulled out a camera. But honestly, the older I got, the less I cared. My grandkids tease me about my “toothy laugh” and I just laugh right along with them now. Funny thing is, the pictures where I’m not thinking about it always look more genuine anyway. Maybe there’s something to just letting yourself be.
Not gonna lie, I’m still working on not freezing up when someone points a camera at me. I get the whole “just let yourself be” thing, but honestly, sometimes I see those candid shots and all I can focus on is my gums. It’s like my teeth and gums are fighting for attention and my lips just gave up trying to referee. Maybe it’s just old habits—my mom used to tell me to “smile with your mouth closed” for every school photo, so that stuck.
I do get what you mean about the genuine part though. The best pics of me are usually when I’m not even aware someone’s snapping one. But I dunno, sometimes I wish I could master that effortless, relaxed grin on command instead of looking like a deer in headlights or like I’m hiding something in my mouth. Guess it’s a work in progress… or maybe I just need to embrace the “gummy” look more and own it.
sometimes I see those candid shots and all I can focus on is my gums. It’s like my teeth and gums are fighting for attention and my lips just gave up trying to referee.
Honestly, I get this way more than I’d like to admit. Used to hate how much gum showed when I smiled, but after a while I realized most people don’t even notice unless you point it out. The “effortless, relaxed grin” is overrated anyway… candid shots with real smiles always look better than the forced ones. You’re right—owning it is probably the move. Took me a bit, but now I just laugh about it and let the gums live their best life.
- Totally get what you mean about focusing on your gums in photos. It’s weird how we can zero in on stuff like that when most people don’t even notice.
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This hits home. I used to obsess over my “gummy smile” in every group pic, but nobody ever mentioned it—not even once.“Used to hate how much gum showed when I smiled, but after a while I realized most people don’t even notice unless you point it out.”
- Honestly, the more I look at old photos, the more I realize the big, unfiltered smiles are the ones where I look happiest. The posed ones just feel… stiff? Not really me.
- It’s easier said than done to “own it,” but I think there’s something freeing about just letting go. If someone actually cares about how much gum shows, that says more about them than you.
- Plus, sometimes those quirks end up being what people remember most fondly. My best friend always says my smile is her favorite thing about me—even though (or maybe because) it’s all teeth and gums.
I relate to this a lot. I used to be super self-conscious about my gums in photos, especially after seeing myself tagged on social media. It’s weird how you can fixate on something like that, even though nobody else seems to care. But honestly, does anyone here ever worry about what it would cost to “fix” a gummy smile? I looked into gum contouring once and the price totally freaked me out. Not covered by insurance either, at least for me.
I still catch myself thinking about it sometimes, but then I remember how expensive dental stuff is and just try to move on. Plus, like you said, the big smiles always look way more genuine, even if they’re not “perfect.” Is it just me, or do those little quirks actually make people more memorable? I guess I’m still working on not caring so much, but it’s tough when you’re on a tight budget and can’t just “fix” stuff you’re insecure about. Anyone else feel like that?