A world without a smile seems bleak and lifeless. Even going a day without smiling already sounds like a cloudy day. There’s no doubt that smiling is one of the most essential things in life.
Studies suggest that a smile can turn one’s mood upside down, as “smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that work toward fighting off stress.” Neuropeptides are responsible for transmitting various feelings, like happiness, sadness, and anger, to the body. Aside from this, a smile increases the productions of serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. As a result, the person feels more relieved.
Aside from its effects on mood, smiling can cause other people to view you differently. A study has shown that a smile makes other people perceive you as attractive and trustworthy. This feeling stems from the stimulation of the orbital cortex, the reward region of the brain.
Another good news is that every person has the power to pass on these benefits to other people. Researchers have found that the part of the brain that mimics other people’s expressions, the cingulate cortex, is activated when a person sees another person smile. This is an involuntary reflex, too, so it’s the body taking action to lift your mood.
These benefits should be enough to encourage everyone to take care of their smiles. However, the teeth are the biggest source of insecurity when it comes to facial features. A survey reports that 57% of Americans are cover their mouths when they laugh, out of insecurities. 7 out of 10 people admit that they are self-conscious of their teeth. 61% of these people would change the way their teeth look.
How can you take care of your teeth?
At a very young age, children are taught to brush their teeth three times a day. Parents and teachers set aside time to teach children how to brush their teeth and floss properly. There are also infomercials encouraging kids to always brush their teeth. Hence, it’s obvious the primary rule for dental care is brushing your teeth.
As people grow old, certain dental problems arise. Gum disease is prevalent as gums recede, and the teeth become more vulnerable to bacteria and decay. Brittle and sensitive teeth are also issues, as certain food, beverages, and lifestyle choices affect the enamel.
Here are tips on how to look after your dental health:
-
Regular visits to the dentist
It’s easy to treat dental problems when they are detected right away. A regular dental check will inform the doctor of appropriate procedures to maintain dental health.
-
Don’t forget to floss
You may think brushing your teeth and using mouthwash may be enough, but, according to WebMD, “flossing does about 40% of the work required to remove sticky bacteria, or plaque, from your teeth.”
-
Watch out for emergencies
Either a tooth chipped off or there’s gum abscess, it’s crucial to call an emergency dentist in Salt Lake City. Others suggest calling a dentist even if it’s after office hours to know the next steps or the first aid for the dental emergency.
It’s all about your pearly whites
Don’t hide the powers of a smile, especially because it can brighten other people’s day—and also score you a date or a job. So, it’s crucial to look after it and give it the tender, loving care that it needs.
