More often than not, your smile is the first feature that people notice about you! But while it’s true that smiling can capture the attention of those around you and also project a mood of happiness, did you know that the habit also is accompanied by many impressive health benefits? Keep reading to learn more from your dentist about how much smiling can actually benefit your overall well-being.
1. It Makes You Look Younger
Maybe you’ve heard through the grapevine that smiling or laughing too often can create wrinkles or crow’s feet in the face, but this isn’t true; in fact, some studies indicate that not smiling often enough is what causes these issues! In a study from the Max Planck Institute in Berlin, researchers surveyed participants presented with pictures of happy, smiling faces and another group presented with pictures of neutral expressions. The participants often voted that the smiling faces always appeared younger looking—meaning that grinning often can seemingly turn back the clock!
2. It Bolsters Your Body’s Immune System
Have you ever heard the phrase “laughter is the best medicine”? Did you know that there’s actually a semblance of truth to the expression? Research from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine shows that smiling and laughing can increase the number of white blood cells throughout the body; these cells play a crucial role in fighting off infections and other threats to your body.
3. It Reduces Stress Levels and Makes You Feel Happier
Believe it or not, smiling can physically reduce your body’s stress levels and also instill feelings of happiness. This is because the muscle activity involved with smiling sends “safety” signals to your brain that tell it everything’s okay. Additionally, smiling is also associated with a quicker physiological recovery from stress. There’s also research that shows that even if your smile isn’t a natural reaction to something, the movement of those facial muscles can stimulate the areas in your brain that makes you feel happy.
4. It Projects a Sense of Confidence
Humans are social creatures, and we tend to flock toward those who project a more personable and confident outlook. On the other hand, we often try to avoid those with constant frowns on their faces. Smiling allows you to maintain a positive image of yourself that can easily help you navigate social situations or ascend in the professional world. A big, bright smile can provide you with an unparalleled boost in self-esteem that’ll take you places and help you get along with people!
About the Practice
The team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care is thrilled to provide an exceptional level of care for patients and families in the Flint, MI community. Under the leadership of Dr. Steven Rodriguez and Dr. Hana Gadalla, they offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services that are certain to help your smile look and feel its absolute best. If you have any questions about the article or would like to arrange a visit, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for further assistance: (810) 720-6433.