In celebration of National Smile Month, it is important to discuss the advantages of smiling on your health. A major reason that we go to the dentist is to make sure our smiles look their best. Outside of simply looking good, there are significant health benefits of smiling. The more that you show off your pearly whites, the healthier your brain has the potential to be. From improving your mood to living longer, there are many reasons to smile more.
Stress Reducer
In moments where stress or anxiety is high, laughing or smiling activates your body’s stress response. Neuropeptides, which are chemical signals in the brain, are released. During this process neurotransmitters like endorphins, serotonin and dopamine are discharged as well. Endorphins function as a pain reliever. Dopamine positively influences your mood, and serotonin works similarly in making you feel happier and calmer. Smiling also aids in reducing our heart rate allowing for quicker recovery from stress. Even forcing yourself to smile at times can still have these effects.
Smiling is Contagious
When in the presence of someone smiling, most times it is natural to smile as well. While flashing your teeth can make yourself feel better, it has the ability to make others’ feel just as great too. The brain has a way of observing and interpreting the facial expressions of other people. Sometimes when this happens, we unconsciously mimic that person by doing what we see with our face. A mutual exchange of happiness contributes to your overall well being.
Other Benefits of Smiling
Alongside what was mentioned previously, smiling has beneficial effects on the body. There are other numerous physiological shifts taking place internally, including:
- Stronger immune system
- Pain reduction
- Blood pressure reduction
- Heightened endurance
- Confidence booster
- Productivity increase (studies show improved job performance when happy)
There are various benefits of smiling and it is key that you smile daily to take advantage of them. You will notice that it not only helps you but others as well. If you are looking for ways to improve your smile, visit us at Dental Made Easy!
Your Dental Health
When it comes to your health, trust in the dentists at Dental Made Easy. Dental Made Easy has the best dental practices in New York City and we are open on Sundays as well as late evenings. All of our dental offices are open and accepting new patients at this time. We are rated among the top dental practices in New York, NY with numerous 5-star reviews on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. For a teeth cleaning or exam, we recommend calling or booking an appointment online with one of our talented dental professionals. All new patients may also take advantage of our $149 Cleaning Special that includes an exam and x-rays of our Free Dental Implant Consultation Special.
To set up your appointment give us a call at (844) 979-EASY (3279). We have offices in Forest Hills, Queens, Little Caribbean, Brooklyn and Garden City, Long Island. Walk-ins welcomed, we take emergencies and we are open on late nights to accommodate patients with a busy schedule. We hope to see you soon!
