Even if a person has teeth that are straight, healthy, and symmetrical, the beauty of their smile may be diminished if the gum line is uneven or falls too far below the lip line. Many dentists refer to gums that extend too far down as a “gummy” smile. It can make the teeth look small and cause people to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smiles. Ideally, the gums should appear even and smooth, and should act as a frame to complement a person’s smile, rather than as a distraction from it. Fortunately, a gummy smile can now be corrected with cosmetic dentistry procedures such as gum contouring.