There’s no shortage of songs, poems, and quotes around to remind us how important smiling is. A big smile can boost your confidence, have a positive impact on your life, and leave a lasting impression on those around you! Here at Wilson Orthodontics, our goal is to give every patient an unforgettable smile. Our talented team has the expertise, skill, and technology to successfully treat a variety of orthodontic issues and help you achieve a healthy smile that stands out from the crowd. But why is smiling so important? Let’s take a closer look at all how you can leave a lasting impression with a straighter smile!
Smiling elevates your mood and helps create a sense of well-being in your brain. This gets your “happy” chemicals flowing! Dopamine increases our feelings of happiness, and the release of serotonin is associated with reduced stress. When you smile, tiny molecules called neuropeptides also come into play, along with endorphins, which are natural pain relievers.
The best part is, a smile doesn’t even have to be genuine for you to reap the rewards of it! Even faking a smile can make you feel better by boosting your mood and increasing your level of happiness. Try it sometime in the mirror and notice what a difference it can make to how you’re feeling. Like Buddhist author Thich Nhat Hanh once said, “Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.”
Even if there were no other benefits to smiling more often, just this one alone would be worth it! Research shows that the more an adult smiles, the younger people perceive them to be, while those who frown often are consistently categorized as older than they really are. When you think about it, a big smile is actually a bit like a natural facelift: when the corners of your mouth are turned up, it raises your whole face, including the cheeks, jowls, and necks.
Smiling can also make you look thinner. In a recent study by psychology students, faces that looked sad were flashed on a computer screen. Participants judged them to be heavier than their real weight based on nothing more than a downturned mouth and unhappy expression. Turn your frown upside down and you’ll instantly look slimmer without ever having to count a single calorie!
In the 1920s, a researcher named Edward Thorndike described a phenomenon he called the “halo effect.” In essence, our brains tend to attribute multiple positive qualities to a person based on us noticing just one positive quality. So what does that have to do with a smile? Well, as it turns out, teeth that are straight, white, and healthy are often perceived to be an indicator of everything from confidence and success to trustworthiness and popularity!
Invisalign wanted to know more about this, and enlisted Kelton Global to conduct a perception study for them. They found that the alignment of a person’s teeth is often a catalyst for assumptions regarding their intelligence, success, and even their wealth. According to this particular study, about two-thirds of Americans are more likely to remember attractive features than those that they find to be unpleasant. Snap judgments may not be fair, but since they happen every day, you may as well take advantage of them by showing off a stunning smile.
Orthodontic treatment goes beyond improving the cosmetic appearance of your smile. Crooked teeth can be more difficult to clean and floss effectively, increasing your chances of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Misalignment can lead to pain and tenderness in your face and neck, problems with your TMJ, and headaches. Correcting these issues with braces or aligners has numerous benefits, including improved digestion, reduced inflammation and infection, and better oral health.
Feeling self-conscious about your smile can keep you from stepping outside your comfort zone, which is often an essential component for success! Invisalign actually conducted a survey on this subject and found that almost 80% of adults who underwent orthodontic treatment said having a healthier smile gave them the confidence to do something they never would have considered doing before. Having a confident smile you love can increase your self-esteem and leave you feeling free to be your true self!
Each one of us possesses psychological cues, which are the nonverbal ways we communicate with each other. Things like our posture, eye contact, and smiles are constantly conveying messages to those around us even when we don’t say a word! This is a big reason why you always hear people say that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So what does your smile say about you?
Here at Wilson Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping you achieve the kind of smile that won’t just leave a great first impression, but a lasting one as well! Our talented team will ensure you have a healthy mouth that’s fully functional, as this has been linked to a load of positive benefits! These can include better moods, reduced stress levels, and the ability to connect more easily with others.
There’s no dental referral necessary to see an orthodontist, and we offer FREE consultations to all of our potential patients. If you’re in Frisco or the surrounding community and want to know more about how orthodontics can give you a standout smile, get in touch today! We’d love to help you take the first step in the journey towards improved oral health.