Be Happy and Smile More; It’s Good For You August 9, 2016My LifeOff

Brushing our teeth, flossing and using mouthwash is an essential part of everyone’s daily routine, but maintaining good teeth is important for more than just hygiene reasons. Keeping our teeth at their best and having a smile that we’re confident in is paramount for general happiness and well-being, for example did you know that just the act of smiling can make you a happier and more positive person? When we’re happy with our teeth and can smile and laugh freely without holding back or feeling embarrassed, we are able to reap a number of amazing health rewards.

Research has found that the act of smiling helps people to feel better. Just the simple act of putting a smile on your face can lead you to feel actual happiness; amazing! Smiling on purpose changes brain chemistry, so can be especially helpful for people who are dealing with depression and anxiety. Smiling triggers release of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which activates areas of the ‘reward zone’ in the brain. It also releases endorphins- powerful neurotransmitters which are responsible for feelings of happiness, as well as help to lower stress levels. There is also a strong link between smiling and factors that indicate stress level, such as heart rate and blood pressure.

Endorphins act as natural painkillers in the body, and so for people who suffer with chronic pain, laughing and smiling can be very effective in pain management (as they say…laughter is the best medicine!) When endorphins are increased, the stress hormone cortisol is reduced. Cortisol is more active when we feel stressed or anxious, and contributes to the feelings of unpleasantness we experience. By lowering it we are able to reduce these negative feelings. Smiling has been shown to increase your productivity while performing tasks, and can get people motivated and work harder after a short break of smiling or laughter. Interestingly, the brain doesn’t differentiate between real and fake smiles either; it interprets the positioning of the facial muscles in the same way. This means that faking as smile works in the same way and gives you the same mood-boosting effect,

If your teeth hold back from laughing and smiling, there are lots of options for improvements that will really boost your confidence. Veneers, professional whitening and even home remedies to whiten teeth could be enough to make you feel good. Visit your dentist for some advice, and  read about dental plans to find if there’s something suitable for your needs. When you’re confident with your teeth you’re much more likely to flash a grin without any embarrassment to hold it back, so you wont miss out on the moment of joy and the mood boosting benefits that go along with it.

So what are you waiting for? Show the world your pearly whites and smile more. Next time you’re having a bad day, missed the bus, caught in the rain or a big bill drops on your doormat- do the exact opposite of what your instincts tell you and SMILE! It will actually make you feel better!

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