Thread: smile/teeth

OK, I don't know what to do about this. When I dance I smile a lot, it's not a fake smile, I have a hard time dancing to sad songs, as I have trouble keeping the smile away ( I can manage it with much concentration!).

Anyhow, due to the smiling (which I like really) and the often the aerobic nature of our dance, my lips get stuck to my teeth - and it's uncomfortable and ghoulish. Trying to hide your face from the audience while you fix the situation isn't always possible. Also I don't want to be seen 'licking my lips or teeth' when I am dancing, as it could be mis-interpreted.

I know that some dancers use vaseline on their teeth to stop this problem, but really the thought of that makes me feel a bit ill.

Any suggestions ? And does anyone else have this or is it just me ..g.:

I think the adrenaline robs our mouths of moisture. I don't think there's anything wrong with closing your mouth for a bit to "moisten" the teeth. Otherwise, stay well hydrated just before a show (and pray you don't have to pee). Vaseline on the teeth is unappealing to me as well.
btw, Nourhan Sharif is constantly smiling, even when she has the "bittersweet pain" look on her face and when she's teaching a private. I think it's kinda rad.

Makes you look like a crazed beaver, huh?

Ok..the Queen of Vulgar here on Bhuz will answer your question...hmmm...on second thought maybe its only princess....


I have a product I purchased at a sex toy party to help my troupe get past the nervous dry mouth on stage. It is a small tub of "nipple nibblers" in rasberry flavor. It has a slight mentholated effect so the mouth doesnt feel dry as the Sahara, rather fresh and cool ... it tasts good, and has a very slippery feel to it and no real color. Smear on teeth and inside of lips..or elsewhere....

How about trying a hand movement infront of the face while you run your tongue across your teeth. Or turn your back while doing a maya or something and fix yourself that way.

Anala, I have strawberry flavored lub. never thought to use if for this though.

I was a big smiler too...still am, but it's a little different, and I don't have this problem much anymore. I agree, though, you don't want to lick the teeth. I saw a dancer about 7 or 8 years ago who had dry mouth and kept licking her teeth...to this day, that is all I remember about that dancer/her performance!

The hydration thing is important--be sure to hydrate a bit before/between shows...but there are a couple other little tricks I found.

Honestly...I part my teeth a little bit. My smile might end up slightly open mouthed, but not much, and this way, I'm still smiling big and natural, but not pulling my lips as tight across my teeth. Be careful not to end up *too* open mouthed--you don't want porno face! But depending on how your teeth/jaw are configured, many people can part the teeth by relaxing the jaw just a little without looking "open mouthed" per se. I also change facial expression periodically. My face is a living part of the performance, so I'm making eye contact with people, reacting to music, etc. so that gives me moments when I may close my mouth/lips or even "laugh" (which opens the smile/mouth a little wider and can dislodge stuck lips)

If all else fails and you're really, really stuck, turn your back to the audience or do some movement that moves your face away from the audience and while you're showing them some fancy hip work, lick and unstick. :-)

I've not had the problem really for a few years now, so I don't really even think about it any more, and it actually sort of just corrected itself, but if I think about it, these are probably the reasons I don't "stick" anymore. :-)

Hope this helps a little.

Happens to me all the time, too! Just remind yourself to close your mouth and try and be serious a nanosecond here and there as the song dictates (it adds a nice dynamic as well as serves to keep your teeth lubricated). As Azhia said - it also helps to keep well hydrated.

It's not a bad problem to have, really!

Of course the other option is always dance in the presence of really delicious smelling food. This will make your mouth water and you won't get dry mouth. Of course, you might risk drooling on your audience which can be particularly nasty on spins and turns....

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Of course the other option is always dance in the presence of really delicious smelling food. This will make your mouth water and you won't get dry mouth. Of course, you might risk drooling on your audience which can be particularly nasty on spins and turns....

..l;, ..l;,

I don't have this problem, but I have a tip from my music performing years that may help with drymouth if you're able to turn your back for a few seconds. Bite the sides of your mouth (your cheeks, I guess). This will stimulate saliva. It works - your mouth may still be a little dry but it's sure to be better than before.

Haven't tried this myself yet, but I will for my next show:
Moisturizing Mouthwash | Oasis | Beauty & Spa | Walgreens
There are other brands -- that's just the first one that popped up in a search.
I used Vaseline for a while, but it is gross. A natural, flavored lip balm like Burt's Bees on the teeth is better, but still I'd much rather go with the moistening mouthwash if it works.

Originally Posted by aamel_MirahAmmal

Of course the other option is always dance in the presence of really delicious smelling food. This will make your mouth water and you won't get dry mouth. Of course, you might risk drooling on your audience which can be particularly nasty on spins and turns....

lol This reminds me of my poor puppy. Part of his training is to stay until I give the release command. Well to see how well he listens I always make him stay before I feed him. So I will put the food down a few feet away from him and make him wait. He waits, but the poor dog starts drooling on the floor in front of him and he's actually slipped on his own drool when I release him to get the food.

And back on topic....does the lube prevent lipstick from sticking to your teeth? That's my #1 problem. I know vaseline prevents it, but really, that stuff isn't going in my mouth.

Bite the side of your tongue lightly. Your mouth will water. If you don't want to use vaseline, put some lip gloss on the inside edge of your lips. Also run in place just before taking the stage to use ease off a bit on the adrenline.

Souzan

Since I am the only one that proposed a "lube" like product...actually it has the consistancy of paste wax..I know that sounds gross...but it's not. I would imagine it will prevent lipstick transfer. I think the purpose of said product is to provide a bit of tingle while reducing friction..yet mot make the rubed object "wet" per se...sounds perfect to me...and it really does tast good. I did use the mentholated Burts Bees in a tube...but is was a bit too waxy. This stuff has less solids in it's composition.

Y'all just dont want to attend no sex party to get it!!! LOL...

I use Vasoline, and I really don't notice any taste. You don't need very much of it. And it does indeed help keep lipstick off teeth.

Hmm, now. I don't have this problem, but as it happens, I have a habit of pressing my tongue up behind my front teeth as a sort of security thing. This seems to help relax the rest of my face (when I am very nervous I get a tic in one cheek) and I wonder, is this pressure causing my mouth to water in the same way as biting the cheeks or tongue might?

Bhuz is great, thanks for so many good suggestions & I hope some fellow bhuzzers and bhuz lurkers have picked up some good tips also.

Bye bye ghoulish chip monk face forever !

You ladies never fail to come up with hilarious, accurate and helpful comments! I come here as much for a stress buster as I do for info. ..l;,

Just to throw out a second opinion on the pre-show routine - I find that slow, deep breathing is better for settling the nerves than engaging in anything that raises the heart-rate. If I have an important meeting, I ensure I have enough time to walk calmly and arrive early. Likewise, if I have a showcase, I avoid dancing with anyone in the ten minutes or so leading up to it, so I can get my pulse down and my breath under control.

This could just be me, though. I find that once I get out on the dance floor, I get so wicked pumped that I absolutely DO NOT need any additional adrenalin!
..l;,

Originally Posted by zumarrad

...I wonder, is this pressure causing my mouth to water in the same way as biting the cheeks or tongue might?

I just tried it and it did. Cool. Never know when that might come in handy.

I chew a half stick of gum when I am dancing... well, not really chew... I keep it stuck to my back molars. The flavor is enough to stimulate saliva production and nobody can see it. Plus it combats bad breath since so many people get up to dance with me and then start talking that I don't want to have off putting breath in their faces.

For keeping lipstick off the teeth...

Right after you apply, stick your index finger in your mouth, and then as though you're sucking chocolate frosting off of it, slowly pull it out of your mouth.

(This is best done in the privacy of your dressing room unless you want some undue attention and to further the sleezier misconceptions of our form.)

Wipe/wash off your index finger, and you're good to go--no lipstick on your teeth. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I learned this from a drag queen and it really, really works. It does a great job of getting off the excess lipstick that will rub off on your teeth while leaving the "outter" lipstick that will look beautiful and give you lovely color on stage.

I buy moisturizing mouthspray at the pharmacy(spearmint),
and it works great.

It must be avaliable in the US too,right?

Breathe though your nose? Keep a smile on your face but have your lips closed? I have this prob too for longer sets and usually use a smidge of vasaline or turn back to audience.

Just an idea: how about putting a little bit of glycerin (aka glycerol, glycerine) on your teeth? You can buy it at the drugstore I think.
Glycerin is an ingredient in some mouthwashs that makes teeth feel super slippery and clean.

Fionna