Say cheese! From vacation pics and formal photos to candids and selfies, there’s no shortage of camera-worthy opportunities out there. How can you make sure that your smile is totally perfect and on point for each and every occasion, though? Not to worry—you’ve come to the right article. We’ve outlined some techniques to help improve your smile, along with some tips that’ll keep your smile looking beautiful and minty-fresh. By the time the camera starts to flash, you’ll be ready to steal the spotlight.

1

Smile with your eyes.

  1. A beautiful smile lights up your entire face—not just your mouth. Research shows that beautiful, genuine smiles (also known as Duchenne smiles) involve your cheeks lifting, the corners of your lips moving, and your eyes squinting.[1] Flash your best, genuine smile by crinkling the outer corners of your eyes.[2]
    • Narrowing your eyes might seem counterintuitive to a good smile, but it actually isn’t! Believe it or not, widening your eyes too much can make you look fearful and unapproachable.
    • The muscles near your temples will raise up when you smile with your eyes—that’s how you know you’re doing it right!
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2

Think about something funny.

  1. A funny memory helps your smile look more open and friendly. Think about how you felt the last time you were laughing with a friend or cracking up at your favorite TV show. Chances are, that smile lit up your whole face—your eyes were crinkling, your cheekbones were lifted, and those telltale smile lines were curving from your nose to your lips. Picture that same funny moment whenever you’re about to take a picture for a smile that’s guaranteed to be beautiful and genuine.[3]
    • On the flip side, look up a picture of two celebrities or politicians meeting on camera. Their smiles are probably tense, forced, and the exact opposite of what you want to go for.
3

Position the camera slightly above your eyes.

  1. A slightly-raised camera makes everything look more flattering—including your smile! Avid Zoom callers and video chatters recommend lifting your webcam or laptop so it’s parallel with your hairline and slightly above your eyes.[4] The same logic applies to all your of your other pictures and photo ops. Keep your camera on the high side so you (and your smile!) look as polished and professional as possible.
    • Whatever you do, don’t hold the camera below your eyeline. This upward angle shows off your nose and chin more than your stunning smile, which you definitely don’t want![5]
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5

Keep your smile relaxed and subtle.

  1. Some people find big, V-shaped smiles less attractive and photogenic. In one particular study, researchers found that smaller smiles with a medium mouth angle were the most beautiful, while huge, toothy smiles with a high, V-shaped angle were less attractive.[7] Keep your smile natural instead of over-exaggerating it—you’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes!
    • This isn’t to say that toothy smiles are totally off-limits! Showing a little teeth is fine, as long as your smile still feels natural.
    • Focus on lifting your cheekbones, slightly squinting your eyes, and keeping your jaw relaxed. These are all key elements of a natural smile![8]
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9

Practice smiling in the mirror.

  1. It’s easier to perfect your smile when you can see it head-on.[12] Memorize exactly what the smile feels like—what muscles are you using? What makes this smile different than all of the others? As you practice in front of a mirror, your beautiful smile will become muscle memory.
    • It can help to take a look at an old selfie where you’re busting out a beautiful grin, or to google pictures of happy-looking people. Take a close look at their expressions and try to copy exactly what they’re doing. It may seem silly at first, but it’s a great way to master a beautiful smile![13]
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10

Moisturize your lips.

  1. Smooth, luscious lips are an important part of a beautiful smile. If your lips tend to be on the chapped side, swipe on some healing and moisturizing lip balm. Look for hypoallergenic and fragrance-free products with ingredients like castor seed oil, ceramides, shea butter, petrolatum, mineral oil, dimethicone, hemp seed oil, and/or white petroleum jelly. Swipe this lip balm on throughout the day to keep your lips (and smile!) looking gorgeous.[14]
    • As tough as it may be, try not pick or bite at your lips when they’re chapped. This will only make things worse!
11

Practice good dental care each day.

  1. The most beautiful smile of all is a healthy one. Set aside time to brush your teeth twice a day—2 minutes is enough time to give your teeth a really thorough cleaning. Make sure to floss every day as well, and use mouthwash after each tooth-brushing session.[15] To keep your teeth in beautiful, tip-top shape, visit your dentist twice per year for cleanings and maintenance.[16] Here are a few other easy ways to keep your teeth in great shape:
    • Cut back on sweet, sugary treats
    • Steer clear of cigarettes and chewing tobacco
    • Buy a new toothbrush whenever your old one gets worn out[17]
    • Use toothpaste, mouthwash, and other oral care products endorsed by the American Dental Association[18]
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About This Article

Tu Anh Vu, DMD
Co-authored by:
Board Certified Dentist
This article was co-authored by Tu Anh Vu, DMD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Dr. Tu Anh Vu is a board certified dentist who runs her private practice, Tu's Dental, in Brooklyn, New York. Dr. Vu helps adults and kids of all ages get over their anxiety with dental phobia. Dr. Vu has conducted research related to finding the cure for Kaposi Sarcoma cancer and has presented her research at the Hinman Meeting in Memphis. She received her undergraduate degree from Bryn Mawr College and a DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This article has been viewed 552,104 times.
14 votes - 65%
Co-authors: 18
Updated: March 25, 2023
Views: 552,104
Categories: Smiling

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Article SummaryX

The key to a stunning smile is to stay relaxed and confident. To practice your winning smile, find a mirror and spend some time relaxing your face in front of it. If you notice any tension in your cheeks or forehead, gently massage those areas. You can also try clenching and unclenching your jaw a few times. Then, think about something that makes you happy. This should help trigger a genuine smile, which always looks better than a forced or fake one. Pay attention to what your eyes are doing when you smile. With a genuine smile, the skin around your eyes will usually crinkle up. You can also make your smile look more upbeat or enthusiastic by widening your eyes or raising your eyebrows a little. If you’re going for a more formal smile, like the kind you’d use in a professional photograph, keep your teeth together. You can either keep your lips closed or open them slightly to show off your teeth. For a more relaxed or upbeat smile, try smiling widely with your lips open and your teeth slightly apart. Your smile will look its best if you take good care of your mouth, so remember to brush and floss your teeth daily. For more tips, including how to practice a formal smile for pictures, read on!

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