Being a celebrity has its ups and downs. Obviously, it’s great to be in the spotlight when you’re being adored, but, unfortunately, with that adoration also comes a certain amount of grief. That’s especially true now, when internet trolls an gang up on celebrities to mock them for perceived shortcomings.

That’s why it’s nice to see young people like Lonnie Chavis, who plays young Randall on This Is Us, stand up to trolls with a positive message. He stood up to trolls who were mocking him about the gap between his front teeth, taking the occasion to reach out to others who are being bullied.

Can You Fix Your Heart?

Chavis posted an Instagram video in late June calling out trolls for their mocking. He said that braces can fix his smile, but, he asked, “can you fix your heart”? He pointed out that internet bullying is so hurtful that it can contribute to teen suicides. He said it wasn’t fun to tease people, and that trolls needed to do more to be kind.

He also had a message for those who were being bullied. “Don’t trip,” he said, “Be who you want to be. Do what you want to do. Do you. Be you. Believe in yourself.”

The short video found a ready fan in Michael Strahan, former NY Giants defensive end who is famous for his gap-toothed smile. So famous, in fact, that he is one of the few players who wanted to be represented smiling in his Hall of Fame bust. Strahan reposted Chavis’ video and said, “Embrace your uniqueness and live your life with happiness! What people criticized me for earlier they now embrace as a signature.”

Is Chavis Considering Closing the Gap?

Although Strahan might be Chavis’ fan now, the younger star may not be planning to follow in the football great’s footsteps. The way Chavis talked about fixing his teeth, not just making references to braces, but also showing that he had knowledge of the procedure and the need to wait before getting it done until all his baby teeth have fallen out, makes us believe that he is planning to fix the gap in his teeth.

This is a hard decision for people, because sometimes it is best to maintain a tooth gap as a signature look.

Should You Close the Gap in Your Smile?

If you have a gap in your smile, it might make you self-conscious, and you may be considering closing it. On the other hand, friends and family might tell that they love the gap in your smile, that it’s part of what makes you unique. This can make it a hard decision.

In the end, you have to decide for yourself how you feel about the gap in your smile. If it makes you feel special, unique, and happy, then you can maintain it, although it can sometimes trap food and becomes a nuisance for hygiene and oral health. With proper care, your smile can still be healthy and attractive with a smile gap.

But, on the other hand, if your smile gap makes you reluctant to smile, and more people are mocking you than praising you for it, you might prefer to get the gap closed. If you do make that decision, there are many ways to do it. As Chavis noted, braces are the most common approach, although today we have options like Invisalign and Six Month Smiles that allow you to close the gap faster and with less hassle. We can also close a smile gap with veneers, which allows you to have a new smile in under a month. We also offer functional orthodontics, which can help if your smile gap is more than a cosmetic issue.

If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist in Harriman, NY, please call (845) 783-6466 today for an appointment at Harriman Family Dental.