When you feel great about your teeth, you are more likely to smile – and research shows that grinning can, in turn, benefit your overall health. In fact, there are four specific ways that flashing your beautiful pearly whites can boost your wellbeing. Keep reading to learn about the many benefits of smiling, and how you can improve the appearance of yours with cosmetic dentistry for a lifetime of grins!
#1: Bust through stress
The next time you’re engaging in a strenuous or taxing activity, smiling can help reduce your stress levels after the task is complete. That’s because activating the muscles required to smile signals to the brain that you are happy and carefree – which can actually make you feel the same way.
#2: Increase happiness
That same signal to the brain that happens when you smile also helps you feel generally happier overall. A recent study showed that people who forced themselves to look happy had similar brain activity to people who smiled spontaneously. Want to feel better? Flash that grin – even if you don’t feel like it.
#3: Turn back the clock
A study out of Berlin showed that people who viewed photos of smiling faces perceived them as being younger than faces that were growing or appearing neutral. So, in addition to actually improving your health, smiling can make you seem more youthful overall!
#4: Boost your immune system
White blood cells are the ones that play a vital role in helping your body fight off infection – and researchers in California found that laughter can help boost this type of blood cells to improve the immune system as well. So this cold and flu season, laughter may really be your best medicine!
How Cosmetic Dentistry Can Help
If you would love to smile more but aren’t feeling 100 percent about the appearance of your teeth, you may want to consider cosmetic dentistry. Treatments like porcelain veneers and Invisalign can enhance the way your pearly whites look to help you smile with full confidence. Don’t wait to contact your cosmetic dentist to discuss treatments that can help you transform your appearance – for a health boost, too!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. Stephen Dean is the dentist Covington families turn to for exceptional care. He earned his dental degree from the Medical University of South Carolina and has continued to stay up-to-date on the latest advances in the field through continuing education opportunities. He is a proud member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and is passionate about helping patients enhance their smiles with cosmetic dentistry services. To learn more about what treatments may be available to help you transform the teeth that show when you smile, visit his website or call (470) 441-8475.