Olympians Showcase Dental Flair at 2026 Winter Games

From tooth gems to bleached smiles, winter athletes find creative ways to express their style.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As winter athletes compete in Milan at the 2026 Olympics, many are turning to dental enhancements to showcase their personalities on the world stage. From veneers and tooth gems to statement mouthguards and bleached smiles, Olympians are using their teeth to make a style statement when the rest of their gear is covered up.

Why it matters

With strict regulations on uniforms and equipment, winter Olympians have limited ways to express their individual style. Dental enhancements have emerged as one of the few avenues for athletes to showcase their personalities and flair during competition.

The details

Team USA ski jumper Paige Jones relies on Crest 3D White Brilliance toothpaste to keep her smile camera-ready, while freestyle skier Quinn Dehlinger sports a custom mouthguard designed to look like a grill. Figure skater Alysa Liu flashed a smiley face piercing, and ice dancer Emilea Zingas used Crest White Strips to brighten her smile in the weeks leading up to the Games. Dentist Dr. Michael Edwards notes that some athletes may hold back full smiles due to dental issues like misalignment or discoloration, making dental enhancements all the more important for self-confidence.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are taking place in Milan, Italy.
  • The opening ceremony was held on February 6, 2026.

The players

Paige Jones

A 23-year-old ski jumper on the U.S. Olympic team from Utah, who is on the pre-dental track at the University of North Dakota.

Quinn Dehlinger

A 23-year-old freestyle skier on the U.S. Olympic team.

Alysa Liu

A 20-year-old figure skater on the U.S. Olympic team.

Danny O'Shea

A U.S. pairs figure skater who won a gold medal with partner Ellie Kam on February 8, 2026.

Emilea Zingas

A U.S. ice dancer on the Olympic team.

Dr. Michael Edwards

The president of the OBI Foundation for Bioesthetic Dentistry and a dentist to some Winter Olympians competing in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“In ski jumping if I'm wearing my jumping suit and all of my equipment, my helmet, plus my goggles on, really all you can see is maybe a bit of my nose and then my smile. So I want to make sure that looks good, because that's the only part that you can really see.”

— Paige Jones, Team USA ski jumper (cosmopolitan.com)

“Any chance I get to show off the fake grill, I do.”

— Quinn Dehlinger, Team USA freestyle skier (cosmopolitan.com)

“Having a bright smile is really necessary on the ice.”

— Emilea Zingas, Team USA ice dancer (cosmopolitan.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan will continue through February 22, 2026, with more opportunities for Olympians to showcase their dental flair.

The takeaway

In an era of strict uniform regulations, winter Olympians are finding creative ways to express their individual style, with dental enhancements emerging as a key avenue for athletes to showcase their personalities and confidence on the world stage.