Your smile tells a lot about you. Without even consciously thinking about it, people look at your smile and judge your age, health, and even how masculine or feminine you are. Judgments on this basis can affect your personal and professional relationships as they shape the first impression you make on others.

 

Characteristics of Masculine and Feminine Smiles

There are a few characteristic differences between masculine and feminine smiles. All of them are in the visible teeth that will show when you smile.

Masculine incisors–the four central teeth in your upper and lower arch–are large and square. Feminine incisors tend to be smaller and rounder.

The canine teeth–or fangs–can also be very distinct between men and women. These tend to be larger and sharper in men, smaller and rounder in women.

Why Doesn’t My Smile Match My Gender?

Unfortunately, not all men develop a masculine smile, nor all women develop a feminine one. Research shows there is considerable overlap in tooth size between men and women. Why is this?

Evolution: There is some evidence that evolution is giving us less gendered teeth. There are two reasons for this. One is that men no longer rely on their teeth as weapons either for defense or in battles for dominance. Another is that other facial features have become more important differentiators between men and women.

Race: The extent to which your smile is different also depends on your racial background. Studies have shown that people from Europe tend to have more gendered smiles than those from Chile or Thailand.

Individual: Other times it’s just the luck of the draw. Just as not every man has a masculine chin and not every woman a feminine nose, so too we sometimes end up with less distinctly gendered smiles.

Are You Unhappy with Your Smile?

It’s possible you have long been unhappy with the proportion or shape of your teeth and never knew why before. It’s possible you still don’t know why. Fortunately, we can help you reshape your smile to achieve the effect you desire.

Porcelain veneers are the best way to reshape your teeth. We can give you a smile that is wholly redesigned to reflect your cosmetic desires, allowing you to give the impression you desire.

To learn more about how we can help you achieve the exact smile you desire, please contact B&D Dental Excellence in Rockland County, New York.