Teeth and lips are often the focal points of our expressions, and their descriptions through metaphors can vividly capture their appearance and condition.
From the pristine imagery of “pearls in a smile” and “diamonds in a cave” to the more worn depictions of “broken piano keys” and “weathered tombstones,” these metaphors convey a range of visual and emotional connotations.
This article explores various metaphors for white teeth, bad teeth, and the harmonious relationship between teeth and lips, providing a vivid linguistic journey through the aesthetics of our smiles.
List of 20 Metaphors for Teeth
- Pearls in a Smile
- Snowflakes in Winter
- Ivory Gates
- Stardust Gleam
- Broken Piano Keys
- Weathered Tombstones
- Crumbling Ruins
- Shattered Glass
- Diamonds in a Cave
- Snow-Capped Peaks
- Ivory Chess Pieces
- Moonlit Stones
- Porcelain Tiles
- Crystal Shards
- Shining Marbles
- Polished Pearls
- Teeth are Gates, Lips are Curtains
- Teeth are Soldiers, Lips are Shields
- Teeth are Stars, Lips are Clouds
- Teeth are Gems, Lips are Velvet Cases
Metaphors for White Teeth
Pearls in a Smile
Metaphor: Pearls symbolize pure, bright, and flawless teeth.
Example: Her smile revealed a set of pearls, dazzling everyone in the room.
Snowflakes in Winter
Metaphor: Snowflakes represent teeth that are immaculate and striking.
Example: His teeth were like snowflakes, pristine and eye-catching.
Ivory Gates
Metaphor: Ivory suggests teeth that are valuable, smooth, and strong.
Example: She flashed her ivory gates, lighting up the conversation.
Stardust Gleam
Metaphor: Stardust implies teeth that sparkle with brilliance.
Example: His teeth shone with the gleam of stardust, making his grin unforgettable.
Metaphors for Bad Teeth
Broken Piano Keys
Metaphor: Broken keys symbolize uneven, damaged teeth.
Example: His smile revealed broken piano keys, each tooth jagged and misaligned.

Weathered Tombstones
Metaphor: Tombstones represent decayed, neglected teeth.
Example: Her teeth looked like weathered tombstones, worn and eroded by time.
Crumbling Ruins
Metaphor: Ruins suggest teeth that are decayed and falling apart.
Example: His smile showed crumbling ruins, each tooth in a state of decay.
Shattered Glass
Metaphor: Shattered glass signifies teeth that are broken and fragile.
Example: Her teeth resembled shattered glass, cracked and uneven.
Best Metaphors for Teeth
Diamonds in a Cave
Metaphor: Teeth as precious, shining diamonds set within the mouth.
Example: His teeth were diamonds in a cave, sparkling whenever he smiled.
Snow-Capped Peaks
Metaphor: Teeth as pristine and white as mountain tops.
Example: Her teeth were like snow-capped peaks, pure and striking.
Ivory Chess Pieces
Metaphor: Teeth as smooth and well-formed as chess pieces.
Example: His teeth looked like ivory chess pieces, perfectly aligned.
Moonlit Stones
Metaphor: Teeth as gleaming and bright as stones under the moonlight.
Example: Her smile revealed moonlit stones, each tooth shining softly.
Porcelain Tiles
Metaphor: Teeth as flawless and smooth as porcelain tiles.
Example: His teeth resembled porcelain tiles, smooth and white.
Crystal Shards
Metaphor: Teeth as clear and brilliant as shards of crystal.
Example: Her teeth were like crystal shards, sparkling in the light.

Shining Marbles
Metaphor: Teeth as round and polished as marbles.
Example: His smile revealed shining marbles, perfectly smooth and bright.
Polished Pearls
Metaphor: Teeth as valuable and lustrous as polished pearls.
Example: Her teeth were polished pearls, glistening with every grin.
Metaphors for Teeth and Lips
Teeth are Gates, Lips are Curtains
Metaphor: Gates symbolize the solid structure of teeth, while curtains represent the soft covering of lips.
Example: His teeth were gates, his lips curtains that parted to reveal a smile.
Teeth are Soldiers, Lips are Shields
Metaphor: Soldiers represent the strength of teeth, while shields signify the protective nature of lips.
Example: Her teeth were soldiers, her lips shields guarding them.
Teeth are Stars, Lips are Clouds
Metaphor: Stars symbolize the brightness of teeth, while clouds represent the gentle enclosure of lips.
Example: His teeth were stars, his lips clouds framing the glow.
Teeth are Gems, Lips are Velvet Cases
Metaphor: Gems symbolize the preciousness of teeth, while velvet cases signify the softness of lips.
Example: Her teeth were gems, her lips velvet cases holding the treasure.