The Effects Of Smiling

A majority of people seek orthodontic services to focus on the physical integrity and alignment of their teeth. However, visiting the orthodontist can have effects that are beyond oral health — transforming your smile in more ways than physical. Decades of mental health research propose that smiles are more powerful than we think; they have even been called the “window to your soul.” Transforming your smile by visiting an orthodontist can have enormous benefits for your emotional and mental health.

Smiling And Our Mental Health

Our facial expressions convey a large amount of information, a much higher fraction than when we communicate through spoken words. Conceivably no facial expression is more potent at conveying our mental state than a smile. Consider how smiling can affect you psychologically, as well as how investing in orthodontics can make you a more confident and happy person.

Smiling Boosts Your Mood

The relationship between facial expression and mood is complex. When we feel good, we naturally feel the urge to smile. However, scientific research suggests that the reverse is also true — smiling actually boosts your mood! When you smile, your body sends signals to your brain telling it, “I must be happy right now.” This leads to a cascade of neurochemical events that make you feel happier, which explains why the simple act of smiling is such a mood booster when we’re feeling down.

Smiling Lowers Your Stress Levels

When the muscles of your face contract to form a smile, your brain receives signals in its reward center. In turn, the brain releases chemicals known as endorphins. These brain chemicals are the same ones that get released during a “runner’s high.” Endorphins lower our stress levels and bring feelings of euphoria.

A Smile Makes One More Attractive

We can translate a lot of information from a smile. Psychologists have found that smiling people are perceived as more personable and easygoing than those wearing neutral expressions. Therefore, a smile may make you more physically attractive to others.

Smiles Resonate Confidence

The next time you feel like you are in a high-pressure situation, remember that you have the ultimate secret weapon: your smile. Imagine you are interviewing for a new job. Walking in with a smile on your face shows that you are relaxed, competent, and confident in your skills. A neutral or nervous expression, however, can convey the opposite: you are anxious about your ability to succeed.

Smiling Is Contagious

Smiles developed as a way to communicate with one another. You may have noticed that when you come across someone with a genuinely happy smile, you can not help but find yourself giving a smile back in return. Know why? This is all thanks to a type of brain cell known as mirror neurons. Mirror neurons are active when we perform a specific action as well as when we see others doing the same action. Do you know what this means? OUR SMILES ARE LITERALLY CONTAGIOUS! Smiling not only makes you feel better, but it also boosts the moods of those around you. Thus, smiling can help you surround yourself with happier, more positive people.

How Orthodontic Services Can Transform Your Smile

Many times, people don’t smile because they feel embarrassed about their crooked or unattractive teeth. However, the best way to gain the mental health benefits of a smile is to invest in one that makes you feel more confident and boosts your mood. If you feel self-conscious about your smile, or you find yourself closing off from fun and joy- come to the best orthodontist in your area – Silver Smiles Orthodontics! After achieving the smile of your dreams, you will find yourself feeling more confident and happier than ever before. Contact your Snellville orthodontist and Atlanta orthodontist to learn how our smile squad can help transform your smile— and CHANGE YOUR LIFE!