Nowadays, social media allows teens to stay in connection with each other and build new friendships, all with a photo and a couple of clicks. If you’re getting braces, you may feel like you have to hide your smile behind your lips, but that’s not what allows the world to see the best you! Read on for five tips to help you take the perfect photos with braces.
#1 Let Your Smile Show!
The simple fact is that you can’t take an excellent photo of yourself without smiling! Your natural smile is a stunning feature that’s unique to you, and whether you know it or not, it lights up a room. It doesn’t deserve to be hidden behind your lips just because you have braces. Don’t forget to let it show when you’re taking photos so your confidence can be on full display.
#2 Practice Smiling in the Mirror
If you just got your braces, it can take awhile to get used to the way they feel. It can even make you feel uncomfortable trying to smile with them at first. But just like anything in life, practice makes perfect. Practicing in the mirror to help you strike a more natural grin with your head held high can help you take the perfect selfie or photo with your friends when the moment comes. Smiling more “gently” can also help if you find smiling with braces uncomfortable.
#3 Avoid Using Camera Flash
Using flash on cameras can wash out your features and enhance the lines around your mouth and teeth. This can make your braces the focal point instead of your smile and face, which you want to try to avoid. The best photo to take is one in natural lighting!
#4 Be Sure to Brush & Floss Beforehand
With braces, it’s important to brush and floss your teeth after every meal. However, if you know that there are some photo opportunities in your near future, you’ll want to take the time to brush and floss before these moments too. Doing so can allow you to smile with greater confidence being sure that nothing is caught in your braces.
#5 Smize!
Smizing is an art—one that Tyra Banks has taught for decades! The best way to sincerely smile is with your eyes. When you see someone genuinely smile, you might notice that their eyes squint a little bit and the muscles around the corner of their eyes contract. This is what “smizing” is! It can help your smile extend from your mouth to the rest of your face, making your photos really shine.
About the Author
Dr. Rafiq has been practicing dentistry for over a decade and has training in orthodontic treatments like braces and Invisalign clear aligners. He provides quality dental care to patients of all ages, including children, teens, and adults. For questions or to learn whether braces in Irving are right for you, visit Daily Smiles MacArthur Dental & Orthodontics’ website or call 972-546-4114.