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A beautiful smile is like a magnet to the Hollywood spotlight. In showbiz, there’s no denying that a gorgeous grin can make all the difference in getting noticed on the red carpet.

Some lucky stars are blessed with perfect teeth from the beginning, while others opt for cosmetic dentistry procedures like veneers or teeth whitening to thrust that smile from the D- to the A-List. Though there are countless celebrities with incredible grins, here are our personal top 10 smiles in Hollywood.

Lupita Nyong’o

Who doesn’t love this Black Panther star and Oscar winner? Confidently owning every appearance from gracing the cover of Vogue to speaking out for women’s rights, Lupita’s bright smile never fails to pull people in.

Looking for a Lupita level of smile perfection? Most teeth with that kind of sparkle have undergone some level of professional whitening. We love Zoom! Whitening, which boosts your teeth up to eight shades brighter in a single appointment.

Gal Gadot

Is it any surprise that Wonder Woman has a wonderful smile? Gal Gadot smashes super villains and box office records with feminist flair.

This DC Comics hero certainly doesn’t need to be beaming to beat the baddies, but she never shies away from the camera when she wants to show off her dazzling grin. With a smile that gorgeous, why would she?

Emma Stone

She’s the talented girl-next-door we’d all love to be besties with. Emma also boasts a radiant grin that was on proud display when scoring her Best Actress Oscar for La La Land in 2017. Whether playing her look quirky and casual, or straight-up stunning on the red carpet, we love everything about Emma’s smile style.

Chris Pratt

With the ability to go from hilarious goofball to classic Hollywood hunk in seconds, resisting the charm of this Jurassic World and Guardians of the Galaxy star is nearly impossible. Chris Pratt’s warm ear-to-ear grin draws everybody in, with a near universal effect of people either wanting to be him, or be with him.

Donald Glover

The uber talented Donald Glover does it all. From selling out shows as Grammy nominated rapper Childish Gambino, to winning a Best Actor Emmy for his incredible performance in Atlanta (for which he also writes, produces and directs), he doesn’t need a stunning smirk to make his mark.

But can anyone not get butterflies when he smiles? As the newest Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars universe and voice of Simba in the Lion King remake, Donald Glover’s future looks bright as a Hollywood mainstay. With this charming grin, we’re praying he’ll be gracing our screens for decades to come.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds is the whole Hollywood package. He’s hilarious, ridiculously good looking, and serious box office magic. As everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed antihero Deadpool, he’d likely be an unstoppable force without that impeccable mile-long smile. But hey, we’re not complaining. Keep on grinning Ryan!

Jennifer Lawrence

Goofy and gorgeous with a perfect grin. Jennifer Lawrence has been an acting tour-de-force since she was discovered by a sharp-eyed talent scout at age 14. Just a few years later, she snagged her first of four Oscar noms, finally winning the Best Actress award for Silver Linings Playbook in 2012.

She continues to surprise us with her versatile, unstoppable acting chops. What doesn’t surprise anyone is how she lights up every red carpet with her nonstop grin.

Morgan Freeman

With a voice everyone loves, Morgan Freeman is also the perfect example of how a little cosmetic dentistry can make anyone look years younger.

Freeman has clearly had substantial veneer work performed in the last decade, straightening and whitening his aging teeth. He may have recently entered his 80s, but his revamped smile helps him looks years younger.

Chrissy Teigen

This witty, outspoken model, Lip Sync Battle co-host, and cookbook author has many things to smile about, and we’re all in luck when she does. The vivacious wife of musician John Legend, Chrissy Teigen truly lights up a room when she flashes her grin.

And in true Chrissy Teigen fashion, she’s not shy about discussing her decision to have cosmetic dental work done. In an interview with Refinery 29 she calls herself a “notorious teeth grinder,” resulting in teeth “a few millimeters shorter.” Desiring a dream smile, she got porcelain veneers, amplifying her beauty even more.

George Clooney

The epitome of a modern Hollywood legend, it’s not only George Clooney’s suave style and dashing good looks that sets him apart. One flash of his signature style and all eyes are officially on him.

This two-time Academy Award winning actor didn’t get that flawless grin completely naturally though. After years of grinding his teeth due to stress, he chose to get porcelain veneers, lengthening and whitening his teeth to red carpet perfection.

Inspired to get your own celebrity smile? Watertower Dental Care is Chicago’s choice for cosmetic and implant dentistry. Located on the world-famous Magnificent Mile, contact us today to book an appointment or get more information about getting the perfect smile you deserve.

As Old Man Winter starts to release Chicago from his icy grip, the city slowly starts to spring back to life. Springtime in Chicago is a time for renewal and outdoor enjoyment. If you’re like most people, you’re tired of the cold and being cooped up in your home for the past few months.

We’ve compiled 5 amazing things that should be on your “must do” list for springtime in 2018. Even if you get outside the house for just a few hours, it can help get rid of the last remnants of the winter blues and make you feel alive and renewed as the weather starts to warm up.

Ride the 606

Grab your bike or hit up one of the conveniently located Divvy stations to get a rental in order to experience one of the newest outdoor attractions that Chicago has to offer: The 606. In its former life, the 606 was an abandoned elevated train track that ran through Chicago. Several local visionaries saw potential and together with city officials they completely rebuilt and turned the train tracks into an eco-friendly bike path that meanders throughout the city as well as the park and trail system.

As the green grass and flowers start to bloom in the warm spring weather, there’s no better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon than slowly cruising the 606 and maybe even stopping off at a local park for an impromptu game of frisbee or picnic.

When: Open year-round

Where: Northwest Chicago (Bloomingdale Ave.)

Price: Free!

2018 Chicago Spring Wine Festival

The place to be for wine aficionados this spring is the Chicago Spring Wine Festival. Various wine reps from different wineries will be on hand to showcase several of their most popular brands. You’ll be socializing with hundreds of other wine lovers in this 21-and-over event held at the Old Town Social. Food and drinks are available and standard admission will get you 15 tasting tickets – and if that’s not enough, more are available for purchase with 100% of proceeds going to charity.

When: Saturday, April 21st 2018

Where: Old Town Social (455 W North Ave) Chicago 60654

Price: $20 - $100

Chicago Food Truck Festival (Spring Festival)

The Chicago Food Truck Festival is the premier event for foodies of all ages. Treat your taste buds to foods and dishes from all across the world. There will be a sangria garden, games, and live music. The event will have a dance party feel to it that features Steppers Sets and much more!

There will be anywhere from 10 to 20 gourmet food trucks on hand and the best part is that it’s 100% free! Kick back and enjoy some Sangria, a tall cold one, or a glass of wine in the shaded park. While the beer and Sangria garden are 21-and-over, the Food Truck Festival is opened to everyone and is a great way to spend a spring day with the family!

When: Saturday, April 21st 2018 11am – 7pm

Where: Sabbona Woods, Calumet City, IL 60409

Price: Free (you have to pay for the food/drink). VIP admission tickets available.

Beer Under Glass 2018

One of the best things about being a resident of Chicago is that we have so many museums and other public places of interest to visit. You could go 10 years and still not have done everything there is to do in this city. The Beer Under Glass fundraiser/event is a must-visit annual celebration of the return of spring and warmer weather.

This 9th annual event is about socializing, raising awareness of the craft beer industry in Illinois, and drinking delicious beer! The event is held at the Garfield Park Conservatory underneath – you guessed it – a glass ceiling in a botanical display house. Ticket sales support the GPCA and their mission to change the lives of people through the power of nature.

When: Friday, May 18th 2018

Where: Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance

Price: $60 general admission and $80 for VIP tickets.

Navy Pier

Without a doubt, the Navy Pier is the most iconic springtime attraction in Chicago. As soon as there’s the slightest hint of the warming of the weather, people flock in droves to this destination. If you haven’t been here in a while, you owe it to yourself to spend at least ½ a day reliving old memories and making new ones.

If you’re new to town and looking for a family-friendly place to take the youngsters, there’s no better place than the Navy pier. From the amusement park rides, to bike rentals, to a children’s museum that will provide hours of entertainment, there’s a little something for everyone at the Navy Pier. Best of all, it’s 100% free to enter this historic Chicago landmark.

When: Year round

Where: 600 E. Grand Avenue

Price: Free admission – the cost of various rides and other attractions varies

Chicago in the Spring

There’s a little something for everyone in Chicago in the springtime. From beer festivals to a lazy day spent hanging out at the Navy Pier, springtime offers the perfect excuse to get out of the house and go have some fun. Be sure to check the weather beforehand, as April showers tend to bring May flowers and an extra umbrella or raincoat is always welcome when Mother Nature decides it’s time for an unannounced spring shower!

Researchers at the University of Helsinki released a report that suggests that people with poor oral health are at high risk of developing pancreatic cancer. They found that the role of mouth bacteria that cause inflammation of the tissues surrounding the teeth (periodontitis) are closely linked to the onset of oral and other cancers elsewhere in the body.

The study showed that the mouth bacteria that cause periodontitis can turn viral and move freely to other parts of the body where they take part in the destruction of tissue that’s related to cancer. Researchers think that inflamed gum tissues are a sort of gateway path for cancer to develop in other parts of the body.

The good news is that the overall cost to prevent the cancer from forming is very inexpensive. Brushing and flossing one’s teeth and regularly scheduled dental checkups and cleanings are the best way to prevent the onset of certain cancers in the body that are related to the bacteria in your mouth.

Over the years, science has either linked, or strongly suspects that certain other cancers of the body are directly or indirectly related to oral health. Here are a few of the cancers that researchers think might be linked to poor oral health.

Lung cancer

Investigators looked at the relationship between tooth loss (periodontal disease) and lung cancer. One study found no significant link between the two, but another study found that there was an increased risk in people with periodontal disease who were also smokers.

The evidence is still inconclusive, but researchers are continuing to look to see if there might be another link. While lung cancer is primarily due to smoking, some researchers think that poor oral health could increase the risk of those who might be more susceptible to lung cancer due to being regular smokers.

Oral cancer

The link between oral cancer and poor oral health has been studied for many years. A group of scientists led by Dr. Tezal found a marked increase in oral tumors or precancerous oral lesions in patients who have periodontal disease. He also found that the risk of oral tumors was significantly higher for non-smokers. For smokers the risk was exponentially higher.

There were other studies performed that found that tooth loss was an independent risk factor in oral cancel because of chronic trauma to the oral mucosa which scientists think might play a role in cancer of the mouth. For those who lost 11 or more teeth, their risk for oral cancer went up 2.7 times.

Esophageal cancer

Another study found that when a person is missing 6 to 15 teeth, their risk of esophageal cancer doubled from someone who isn’t missing any teeth at all. The link between esophageal cancer and periodontal disease needs to be studied further because at the time of this blog post there is only one study that is showing a significant link between the two.

Upper GI and gastric cancers

A Japanese study found a two-fold increase in the odds of developing a gastric type of cancer in people who have lost 10 or more teeth. They found that the odds of cancer will increase in proportion to how many teeth are lost. There are other studies by a research named Michaud who report that no significant increase in cancers have been linked to the amount of teeth a person loses.

Cancer Prevention?

Can oral and other forms of cancer be prevented by good oral hygiene? The evidence is still inconclusive. If anything, maintaining proper oral health on a daily basis can most likely help decrease the risk of certain cancers forming. While this does not prevent cancer in and of itself, having good oral health is critical to the overall health of your body.

Quitting smoking, quitting chewing tobacco, and even quitting eCigs could help prevent certain types of oral cancers from forming, especially if you have poor oral health. Bad habits like chewing on lips and cheeks, or any other continuous tissue damage can also increase your risk of oral cancers. In addition to brushing and flossing on a daily basis, it’s imperative that you make an appointment with a dentist if you haven’t been to one in a while.

The dentist has specialized tools that they can use to check for various forms of oral cancers in your mouth. If caught early enough, there’s a good chance they can cut it out without any major damage or harm being done.

Conclusion

While some scientific studies have shown that there is most likely an increase in cancer due to poor oral health, other studies have been inconclusive. What is known is that the scientific community thinks the link between oral health and cancer is important enough to spend millions of dollars in research.

If you suspect you might be at risk for oral cancer, or would like to schedule an oral cancer screening, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Even if you haven’t been to the dentist in a long while, there are treatment options that can help reduce the amount of dangerous bacteria in your mouth. At Water Tower Dental Care, we can help you regain your oral health which in turn can help increase your overall health.

Your teeth and your smile are one of the first things that people notice about you. For people who have gummy smiles, first encounters can make the, feel self-conscious or downright embarrassed to smile. In this age of selfies, Instagram, and Facebook, those people who have gummy smiles tend to avoid taking photos altogether or find themselves having to feign a smile – which can often lead to an insincere look on their face.

In the past, the only way to fix a gummy smile was to undergo complicated and expensive surgery to remove excess gum tissue. Fortunately, there are many modern-day alternatives that don’t require going under the knife. We’re going to look at what a gummy smile is as well as several surgical and non-surgical options that are available.

What is a Gummy Smile?

A gummy smile is more of a general term used to describe excessive gum tissue that shows prominently when people smile. There isn’t a set definition as to what exactly constitutes a gummy smile. It’s all based on aesthetics and perception. What may be considered excessive to one person, might be completely normal to another.

Being that a gummy smile is a subjective matter, dentists have tried to determine what levels of gum tissue shown when smiling could constitute the condition. Several studies have been performed and the dental and medical communities agree that smiles are considered attractive when 2mm or less of gum tissue is showing. If more than 3mm of gum tissue starts to show when someone smiles, it’s considered a gummy smile.

Gummy smiles are not a medical condition as such. They are perfectly normal and due entirely to genetics. Around 14% of women and 7% of men are thought to have excessive gum tissue.

Modern society and the advent of social media has caused an explosion in gummy smile treatments world-wide. Wanting to increase their self confidence and look their best, many people are turning to dentists to help alleviate the excessive gum tissue on their upper jaw.

4 ways to fix a gummy smile

There are several surgical and non-surgical options for those who have a gummy smile. There are varying degrees of a gummy smile that range from mild to excessive. Those who suffer from a mild gingival display can see a dramatic improvement with the non-surgical options. However, if the gingival case is more severe, then surgery might be the only option. Being that a gummy smile is not a medical condition – only a cosmetic one – there are very few insurance policies that will cover the cost of a cosmetic procedure.

Lip repositioning surgery – This process involves restricting the movement of the upper lip by cutting into it, removing a strip of tissue, then suturing it shut into a more desirable, aesthetically pleasing position. The surgery is performed under local anesthesia and usually lasts 30-45 minutes. The benefits are seen immediately, and recovery is usually mild. There could be some swelling and/or bruising but that will dissipate as time goes by.

Veneers – In this procedure, a mold is taken of your teeth and sent off to a laboratory. A few weeks later and your dentist will receive the veneers and apply them to your teeth. The dentist will shape and re-position them in order to create the perfect smile and lessen the appearance of the gums. It’s important to choose your dentist carefully as veneers require a certain level of artistry.

Botox – Botox is injected above the upper lip which prevents it from lifting up when smiling. The procedure is safe, quick, and the patient can return to normal everyday activities after it has been performed. The only downside to using Botox is that it is not permanent and will need to be repeated every six months or so.

Laser or scalpel gum gingivectomy – In this procedure, a laser or scalpel is used to trim excessive gum tissue. It sounds more painful than it really is. Local anesthetic is used, and the patient can return to normal everyday activities when they leave the dental office. There is a slight chance that the gum tissue will grow back in a few months and the procedure will need to be repeated again. This is usually due to too much bone being underneath the gums of some patients.

Fix Your Gummy Smile on the Magnificent Mile

A gummy smile is directly caused by the jaws, lips, teeth, or gums. These four components are responsible for the aesthetics of your smile. When the positioning or proportions of anyone of these are off, excessive gum tissue is usually the result.

If you feel that your smile is showing a bit too much gum tissue, give us a call or schedule an appointment. At Water Tower Dental Care, we’ve helped many people with gummy smiles regain their confidence and ability to smile!