We tend to smile as an involuntary reaction when we feel joy. But when you smile, your body can react to create happy feelings as well. So if you feel unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, you might feel less inclined to smile. Then, you might miss out on the wellness advantages that come from smiling.
You can schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to learn more about smile enhancement opportunities. And you can feel more encouraged to do so when you know more about the advantages that come with smiling on a more frequent basis.
Read on to learn how the act of smiling will enhance your overall health and how your dentist can help you achieve a smile you will be proud to show off.
How Does Smiling Influence My Overall Well-Being?
When you smile, your muscles stretch at the corners of the mouth to lift the edges of the lips. At the same time, muscles contract at the outer edges of the eyes. This combination of muscle movements triggers a specific response in your brain to generate neurotransmitters.
Serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine are all forms of neurotransmitters that work together to improve your overall mood in multiple ways. Not only can the resulting happy feelings make you feel better, but they can also enhance your health.
They have the ability to relieve pain and reduce stress. This will, in turn, alleviate strain and tension throughout the body. This can lead to lower blood pressure and therefore a decline in your risk for medical emergencies.
But if you feel unhappy with the way that your smile appears, you might hesitate to smile. Then you might not experience the various wellness benefits that come with this facial expression.
How Can I Feel Confident in My Smile?
If you notice aesthetic concerns in your smile that make you less inclined to show it off, talk to your dentist. They can evaluate your cosmetic dental goals as well as your oral health needs to find an individualized treatment plan that will enhance your smile’s appearance.
For instance, your dentist can brighten yellow, discolored, or stained teeth using teeth whitening treatment at their office. They apply bleaching gel to the teeth with expert techniques to ensure you achieve an even and gorgeous finish with minimized side effects. Over-the-counter whitening products cannot guarantee these same satisfying results.
A dentist may also offer tooth bonding or porcelain veneers to cover dental stains or make the teeth appear more regular and straighter. Bonding uses composite resin to accomplish these goals. And veneers feature custom-made shells that attach to the teeth for these results.
If you have crooked teeth, a dentist can suggest Invisalign to straighten your smile. The translucent plastic material and custom build ensure a comfortable fit that will not disrupt your smile’s appearance during the treatment. Find the best cosmetic dental treatment for you when you call your dentist today.