The Importance of a Beautiful Smile

One of the best feelings in the world is when someone smiles at you. You just can’t help but want to smile back. But why is it that smiles are so contagious? Why does the smile of a child just melt our hearts? And why does a smile from a love interest make us feel all giddy? The fact is that smiles are one of our most powerful assets. Smiles boost our confidence and self-esteem and provide various health benefits too. So if your smile isn’t something you’re comfortable with, now is the time to make a change and get a beautiful smile.

Why do smiles have such a strong effect on us?

When we see a frown, it can bring out some strong feelings. We may feel concerned about the person who is frowning or wonder what we can do to turn their smile upside down. But when we see others smile, and when we smile, the response is even more powerful. In fact, smiling is contagious—literally.

When we smile, our brains release these things called neuropeptides that work to fight off stress. Then these other things (called neurotransmitters), such as dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, kick in. These serve as pain relievers and antidepressants. So just the act of smiling can make us feel better. It can help us recover from illness faster, help ease anxiety and depression, and help us feel (and be) happier. 

This all said, when you feel good about yourself, you are more likely to smile, and this causes other benefits in the brain and the entire body. Smiling (and laughing) can deliver some real health benefits, such as the following: 

• Lower blood pressure
• Less pain
• Less stress
• Stronger immune system
• Improved endurance and stamina 
• More attractive to others (the halo effect)

And when we smile, it makes others feel good too. Smiling makes us more likable and approachable. Smiling makes it easier to make friends and to be respected in the workplace. This is because smiling demonstrates confidence, which in turn affects everyone around us.

What happens when we frown?

So let’s flip this on its side for a moment and talk about what happens when we frown. Of course, we all know what might make us frown. Perhaps we’re lonely, afraid, or confused. Or maybe we’re sad because we have experienced loss. And sometimes, we’re just not in a good mood and don’t feel like smiling. But just as with smiling, the simple act of frowning can impact our health.

Not only do people say it takes more muscles to frown, but frowns can also cause the following:

• Increased sadness
• Increased anger and frustration
• New frown lines, creating a permanently angry look
• Elevated blood pressure (because you are more likely to focus on not-so-positive things, which in turn increases your stress levels and blood pressure)

You get the picture here. Frowning does quite the opposite of smiling. Additionally, we’re more likely to become anxious when we frown, which can worsen existing depression. Frowning can also make it harder for us to make friends and develop relationships. And let’s be honest, people need positive interaction with other people to thrive.

Get a beautiful smile and experience the confidence and self-esteem boost. 

Hopefully, you’ve read enough to know that smiling is far better for your health than frowning. If the reason you don’t feel like smiling is that you don’t like your smile, we have some good news for you. At Oxley Comprehensive Dental, we can help make your smile makeover dream a reality. Whether it’s the color of your teeth, the shape of your teeth, the straightness of your smile, or some other aesthetic concern, we have the solutions to get you smiling the way you should. And if you have been searching online for the best cosmetic dentist in Trent Woods or New Bern, you’ve found us. 

Dr. Oxley is an expert in cosmetic dentistry and can help you achieve the smile you have dreamed of. So request an appointment today to transform your smile, boost your self-esteem, and look younger. 
During your cosmetic dentistry consultation, we’ll listen carefully to your hopes and dreams, discuss an approach to improve your smile, and answer all of your questions. And before you know it, you’ll be on the path to the smile you have always dreamed of.