Your smile is one of the first features that people will notice about you—meaning that it’s in your best interest to smile as brightly and often as possible. But did you know that smiling doesn’t just bolster your appearance and first impressions, but also grants you access to many awesome health benefits? Here’s more from your dentist about four of the cool and unique benefits of smiling and why you shouldn’t hesitate to show off your pearly whites.
1. It Makes You Look Younger
It’s possible that you’ve heard through the grapevine that smiling or laughing too often can create wrinkles or crow’s feet in your face, but this isn’t the case at all! In fact, some studies actually show that not smiling is what exacerbates these issues and causes a person to appear older. A study from Berlin’s Max Planck Institute found that participants who viewed pictures of smiling faces compared to faces with neutral expressions noticed a unique difference: those smiling appeared the youngest looking!
2. It Fortifies Your Immune System
Have you ever heard the expression “laughter is the best medicine”? Research from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine found that smiling and laughing often actually increased the number of white blood cells in the body, which is critical for fighting off infections and boosting the immune system.
3. It Reduces Your Stress Levels
Research also shows that smiling often can reduce the amount of overall stress your body is feeling. A recent study found that people who smiled after doing a particularly stressful task experienced a much faster reduction in their heart rate afterward. This is because the muscle activity involved with smiling sends signals to the brain that indicate “safety.” Additionally, those who smiled also recorded a faster physiological recovery from stress; so, don’t hesitate to grin when the going gets tough!
4. It Boosts Your Self-Esteem
It’s human nature to feel more attracted to people who project a friendly and personable outlook; we’re social creatures, after all! Conversely, many of us tend to stay away from people who seem perpetually sullen, angry, or withdrawn. Smiling allows you to maintain a positive and confident image of yourself that may help you to navigate social situations or succeed in the professional world; this unparalleled boost in confidence is too large to ignore!
About the Practice
The team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care is thrilled to serve patients and families in the Barton City, MI area. They offer a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry options that are certain to keep your smile looking and feeling its best and brightest. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to schedule a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (989) 736-7000.