There is one human behaviour that has caught researchers, from neuroscientists to psychologists in a frenzy of excitement: smiling. This is because the act of smiling has been found to trigger a whole host of positive consequences, many of which are not so surprising as at first assumed which makes studying it worthwhile.
Researchers are interested in all aspects of smiling such as when we smile, how often we smile in a day, the effects of a smile, to the characteristics that make up an attractive smile.
Smiles can influence our social and professional lives in a myriad of ways. Research studies link smiling to being happier, being more productive at work and even to improving the performance of athletes.
The research study, ‘The Australian Camera-Ready Smile’ published by the Health Advisory Panel (OHAP), tells an interesting story about how Australians view smiles. More than half of the respondents – 57 per cent – see the smile as the attribute they rate the most attractive when evaluating selfies shared in social media posts. Yet it was found that 58 per cent of adults in Australia do not like toothy grins because of the state of their teeth. It is no wonder then that many look to dental treatments and procedures like dental implants Wagga to ensure their smile is the best possible.
Reasons to smile every day
The big effects of a small and simple gesture like a smile are far-reaching, as are the consequences of being embarrassed by awkward smiles. Humans are naturally hard-wired to respond to a smile. Smiling benefits both the wearer and those around them, as the following benefits of wearing a smile will show.
Smiling triggers happiness, both within oneself and in those around you. When the mouth muscles are turned up in the act of smiling, the brain receives one message: produce happy-feeling chemicals in the brain. Seen in this light, it is easy to see why smiling has earned the reputation for being a natural antidepressant. Smiling is also infectious so one’s happiness can be transferred on to others too.
Form a positive impression. The easiest way to come across as warm, friendly, kind or intelligent, is to show off a pleasing smile. Smiles encourage trust which is critical when forming relationships with others.
Give your immune system a boost. This may be one of the most surprising rewards of smiling. It is not far off the mark of laughter being the best medicine. It is not just the brain where the magic of smiling takes place. Smiling induces the body to pump out more white blood cells whose main job is to protect the body against foreign invaders and fight off diseases.
What makes us self-conscious about our smiles? More often than not it is the state our oral health is in. Teeth that are discoloured, chipped, cracked, crooked, or have gaps or where gums look inflamed, red or have receded are all poor oral health conditions that ruin the look of a smile.
One of the most enriching of human behaviours is smiling which makes improving the look of smiles through dental measures all the more important.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
