By: Dr. Elizabeth Eggert
As your dentists, Dr. Elizabeth and Dr. Jeff are dedicated to the care and upkeep of your smile. There’s no question that a good smile has a positive social impact. It’s also a no-brainer that healthy, clean teeth and good dental care improve your smile.
However, did you know that the act of smiling is literally beneficial to your health?
Yes, smiling is good for you. The benefits of smiling have been quantified in scientific studies.
We’re here to help you make the most of your smile by keeping your teeth clean and healthy, as well as providing cosmetic dentistry services such as whitening, veneers, and full-mouth reconstruction. If you’re proud of your smile, you just might smile more often, and boost your health in the bargain!
Here’s how smiling has measurable health benefits.
Smiling Elevates Mood, Triggering Biological Benefits
Even faking a smile can improve your mood. It can actually trick your brain into releasing hormones that make you feel good, including dopamine and serotonin. This starts a cascade of positive effects, including reduced stress, lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and improved mood. If a pretend smile can have all these benefits, a genuine smile is probably even better! Smiling is the simplest, easiest, cheapest and most pleasurable way to improve your cardiovascular health.
Improve Your Immune Function with a Grin
All of these physical benefits reinforce your immune system. Decreased stress levels contribute to increased white blood cell count, which releases the beneficial antibodies we depend on to combat infection and disease.
Smiling Can Extend Your Lifespan
Those biological benefits can help you live longer. One study started in the 1950’s followed a group of Major League baseball players. Those pictured with major smiles lived five to seven years longer than their fellow players.
Grinning for Pain Reduction
A smile can help moderate discomfort — even a fake one. A study compared the reported pain level of patients receiving injections. Those who smiled experienced up to 40% less pain than the straight-faced.
In other words, tending to your dental health can have a positive impact on a huge range of health factors. If you’re self-conscious about your smile, please talk to us. Let’s turn your frown upside-down, and you can smile your way to better health.
If your smile is less than perfect, contact Eggert Family Dentistry today. Our focus is creating “Dentistry for a Lifetime of Smiles” and we are dedicated to providing the cosmetic dentistry you need, such as veneers, whitening, and full-mouth reconstructions. Give us a call today at 651.482.8412 to set up your next appointment!
