Effects of Smiling

At Henson Family Dental, our goal is to help our patients get the smile they’ve always wanted. Whether it’s through our cosmetic dentistry services, like veneers or whitening, or through preventive measures that help maintain your health, we want our patients to show off their smiles. You see, the benefits of smiling go way beyond appearances.

The Science of Smiling

When you see or experience something that makes you happy, a signal travels from your brain to your cranial muscle to the smiling muscles in your face. Once those smiling muscles contract, you experience a positive feedback loop that reinforces your feeling of joy. So smiling is both a cause and an effect of being happy.

Positive Effects

Studies show that your brain keeps track of how often you smile, and that information is used to determine your overall emotional state. Additionally, smiling can reduce stress and generate positive emotions. For example, we often feel happier with children because they smile more. Smiling can also reduce stress and anxiety, as well as help lower your blood pressure and heart rate.

It’s Contagious

When someone smiles at you, your own mirror neurons trigger a smile back. In fact, studies have shown that it is much more difficult to keep a long face when you look at people who are smiling back at you. Smiling not only improves your own mood, it can improve the mood of everyone around you.

Now that you know about some of the beneficial effects of smiling, don’t waste another day worrying about your smile! If you’re hiding you smile because you’re embarrassed about crooked or stained teeth, call our office today. Dr. Henson will examine your teeth and go over your options. Our team will then create a customized plan to get the smile you’ve always wanted. To ask our team any questions or to schedule your next visit to our office, give us a call or use our online contact form.