If you have an imperfect grin, you might feel self-conscious about how others perceive you when you open your mouth to smile or speak. You might even try to remain tight-lipped to avoid showing off any flaws.
Did you know, however, that smiling has a positive influence on your overall well-being? Fortunately, your dentist can enhance your appearance with one or more cosmetic services so that you can once again enjoy the advantages of looking and feeling happy. Keep reading to learn 5 ways that smiling can improve your health!
Benefit #1: Relieves Stress
If you’re feeling too much tension, you might be more grumpy than usual. Stress can leave you feeling tired, overworked, or worn down. Thankfully, you can reduce the impact of stress by turning your frown upside down. It triggers your body to release feel-good chemicals that can ease your system. The next time you’re overwhelmed, remember that smiling through it can actually help.
Benefit #2: Elevates Mood
If you’re feeling down, tilting the corners of your lips up can boost your mood. Even if your grin isn’t genuine, it results in the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. These feel-good chemicals function like a natural antidepressant and can leave you with a better outlook on life.
Benefit #3: Lower Blood Pressure
Smiling is often accompanied by laughter, which can contribute to a healthier body. This is because you inhale more oxygen-rich air which results in a quick increase in heart rate and blood pressure. Then, when the moment has passed, you exhale it out which actually lowers your stats.
Benefit #4: Boost Immunity
Putting a happy expression on your face can build up your immune system, too. Neurotransmitters are released that help you stay more relaxed. This allows your immune system to function more smoothly so that you’re better able to fight off illness and infection. If you’re struggling to recover from a cold, a solid smile might be just the thing to help you get over it.
Benefit #5: Reduce Pain
If you have aches that won’t seem to go away, you might benefit from a big grin. It releases endorphins that act as natural painkillers. They work together with feel-good neurotransmitters to lessen the impact of pain. You’ll feel better from head to toe just by putting a smile on your face.
When you perfect your smile with cosmetic dentistry, you can improve your appearance, your perspective, and your physical well-being all at the same time!
About the Author
Dr. Louis Olberding is dedicated to helping patients improve the quality of their lives by creating healthy, happy smiles. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a BS in biology and then completed his DDS at the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. Since then he has continued to elevate his knowledge and skills with Spear courses and is a member of the Spear Visiting Faculty. He offers a wide array of services, including cosmetic dentistry, using state-of-the-art technology for beautiful, long-lasting results. If you’d like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (402) 488-2325.