From 18th May to 18th June 2020, Sarum Dental Practice will be celebrating National Smile Month – a time dedicated to spreading awareness of the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene routines and promoting healthy smiles.
In a previous blog post, we spoke about the benefits of creating and following a good oral health routine, for both adults and children alike. This month, in support of National Smile Month, we have listed the wellbeing benefits of a healthy smile.
Smile your way to a better mood
Feeling down from time to time is something we all experience. Smiling is thought to encourage the release of feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine – nature’s anti-depressants! So next time you’re in low spirits, there’s a good chance that you can elevate your mood by simply smiling.
Smiles are immune-boosting
Your dental health is directly linked to your overall wellbeing. Keeping your mouth free from harmful plaque and bacteria ensures more serious issues don’t develop, such as gum disease. But did you know that, alongside daily brushing and flossing, smiling is also said to stimulate immunity? When you smile, your body releases endorphins that boost your mood and help you to relax, which in turn improves immune functions. Perhaps laughter really is the best medicine!
Smiling reduces blood pressure
Stress and tension can have a big impact on your blood pressure and high blood pressure is certainly a symptom we should try to avoid or reduce. Luckily, clinical research suggests that smiling can even lower blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure and have a monitor at home, why not flash a smile and put this to the test.
Smiles are contagious
It’s not just a saying but a scientific fact! A study in Sweden had volunteers stare at pictures featuring people with various facial expressions, and asked the subjects to respond to each image with the opposite emotion. Electronic equipment was used to record any facial twitches and micro-expressions. When the volunteers were asked to frown at a picture of a smiling person, they couldn’t stop themselves from grinning!
But what if I don’t like my smile?
We often have patients come to our Salisbury practice who are worried about the appearance of their smile and it’s very common for patients to express insecurities about their teeth. Fortunately, Sarum Dental Practice offers a range of treatments designed to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. From orthodontics and teeth whitening to implants and veneers, our professional Salisbury dentists are on hand to get you smiling with confidence.