If you recently had a cosmetic dental procedure done, then you’re probably thrilled to show off the improvements. Whether your teeth were lightened a few shades, or you had porcelain veneers placed to mask flaws, the recent improvements are sure to put a smile on your face. Did you know, though, that smiling also benefits your physical well-being? Keep reading to learn about 5 possible health benefits that come with enhancing your grin!
Benefit #1: Relieve Stress
Stress impacts your appearance as well as your overall health. You’ll feel drained, tired, worn down, or overwhelmed, and unfortunately, this shows up on your face. Frowning can cause wrinkles and downturned lips, and signals to your brain and body that you’re not doing too well.
The simple act of smiling has the reverse effect. Lifting the corners of your mouth releases chemicals that improve your mood and increase your ability to effectively manage the tension you’re feeling.
Benefit #2: Elevate Your Mood
If you’re feeling sad, you can trick yourself into feeling better by putting a joyful expression on your face. Your body will produce feel-good neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin when you grin, whether it’s heartfelt or not. Essentially, that means you can ‘trick’ your system into thinking you’re happy, and then it creates that environment for you internally.
Benefit #3: Boost Immunity
Don’t be surprised if all this extra beaming helps you defeat that stubborn cough or cold you’ve been battling. When you grin, your body creates dopamine which activates your immune system. This increases how many antibodies and other disease-killing cells are at work inside of you. Thankfully, this can help prevent and recover from illnesses.
Benefit #4: Reduce Pain
The special chemicals released when you tilt your mouth upwards also help you overcome aches and pains. Endorphins and serotonin flood your brain and body which helps you feel good from top to bottom. They’ll help you relax, too, which also lessens physical discomfort.
Benefit #5: Lower Blood Pressure
A common addition to smiling is laughter, which has been shown to lower your heart rate and reduce blood pressure. When you’re giggling, you experience a sudden influx of oxygen-rich air as you sharply inhale which results in a quick rise in blood pressure and heart rate. Then, when you’re done, you exhale the extra tension out of your body which causes those same stats to lower, afterward.
Now that you know how a happy expression can improve your health, you have every reason to show off your recent cosmetic dental work with happy, genuine smiles!
About the Practice
At Weiss Dental Arts, patients of all ages and stages of dental development benefit from two dentists who provide a full range of services under one roof. They use advanced dental technology for fast, accurate diagnoses and beautiful, long-lasting results. Their compassionate team believes in top-quality care and is happy to provide amenities for your comfort, like a soft pillow, warm blanket, or soothing music during your visit. If you’re considering cosmetic treatments, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (847) 864-0188.