What Are the Benefits of Smiling?

You do it when someone says something funny, you do it when you are posing for family photos, and you do it when good things happen. Smiling is entirely universal. No matter what part of the world you are in or what language is being spoken, everyone knows what it means when you show off your beautiful smile. But did you know that smiling can improve your life in a variety of ways? Continue reading to learn more from your dentist about the benefits of smiling.

Increased Confidence

Even if you are feeling extremely nervous or insecure about something, smiling puts on the illusion that you’re confident. When you look like you’re confident, you will likely feel more confident. Others are drawn to people who appear to be more friendly and pleasant. Having an increased level of confidence can help you make the decisions needed in order to succeed at your goals.

Increased Happiness

Sometimes you feel the need to force a smile after a day that didn’t go quite as planned. Even though you may feel like you’re lying to yourself, putting on a smile can actually improve your mood. Using these muscles stimulates an area of your brain, communicating that you are happy. Essentially, you are tricking your brain into being in a better mood.

Stress Relief

Studies suggest that smiling after psychologically difficult situations can actually help you to recover faster. This means a quicker reduction in heart rate afterwards. This is because using the muscles required to smile signals “safety” messages to the brain. This can potentially influence the body’s natural responses to stress.

Improved Health

Did you know that smiling and laughing can boost your immune system? According to research done at the Loma Linda University School of Medicine’s Department of Clinical Immunology, laughing increases the number of white blood cells in the body. These are critical for fighting off infections and boosting your immunity.

Younger Appearance

You have probably heard people say that they are concerned about developing “laugh lines,” or wrinkles around the mouth, when they get older as a result of frequent smiling and laughing. The truth is that smiling may actually make you appear younger. Often times, people see others in a younger light when they are smiling as opposed to holding a neutral expression.

There is more to smiling than just appearing friendly. By smiling more often, you can improve your everyday life for the better.

About the Author

Dr. Ahmed Saad helps patients in Vienna, VA enhance their smiles through regular preventive and restorative care as well as a variety of cosmetic options. He earned his dental doctorate from the USC School of Dentistry and has gained over 15 years of experience. He is committed to expanding his knowledge in the field through continuing education. For more information on how Dr. Saad can help you achieve your smile goals or to schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (703) 938-6800.