Does Botox® help with a gummy smile?
HLN, 27 March 2025
Dr Griet Voet in HLN on Botox® for a gummy smile: how the treatment works, what you can expect and who it is not suitable for.
Natassia Van Kerkvoorde from 'The Real Housewives of Antwerp' said she had Botox® for her 'gummy smile'. In HLN, Dr Griet Voet explains how it works: a few injections between the nose and upper lip temporarily weaken the muscles that lift the lip, so that less gum shows when you smile.
The treatment is quick and the effect lasts a few months, so it needs to be repeated. Possible side effects are usually mild, such as some redness or a bruise. Your smile may look a little different, though. The treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in people with certain muscle or nerve disorders or an allergy.
Dr Voet warns against cheap providers and an illegal market. She advises having the treatment carried out in an accredited medical centre.
Key advice
Only have Botox® injected by a qualified doctor in an accredited centre.
Tell the doctor beforehand about blood thinners, pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Bear in mind that the effect is temporary and needs repeating.
“Anyone considering a Botox® treatment should preferably have it done in an accredited medical centre, by dermatologists or plastic surgeons with the necessary qualifications.” — Dr Griet Voet
Want to know more? Read about Botox® and muscle relaxants at Clinique Dermatologie Gent.