The Power of a Smile: 10 Fun Facts About One of the Dental Industry’s Favorite Expressions (Literally)
Dental pros will be the first to tell you that their time, effort, and talent is all for one goal: helping patients achieve and maintain healthy smiles!
As the saying goes, you’re never fully dressed without a smile, and it’s true. Your smile is one of your defining characteristics and facial expressions.
It’s a powerful facial expression because, for many of us, it’s a whole MOOD.
Without further ado, here are ten fun facts about one of our favorite things – the smile.
A smile is the most recognized facial expression
A smile is universal. It doesn’t matter what language you speak or where you are in the world, when you smile, the people around you instantly recognize that you’re happy. Remember that the next time you’re in a room full of strangers – a smile will more often than not break the ice.
Smiling elevates your mood
When we smile, our body releases mood-boosting neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Next time you’re feeling blue, try a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will improve.
Smiles really are contagious
Studies have shown that people actually had difficulty frowning when they saw someone else smile. When you smile, your own mood is elevated, and so are those of the people around you. Now you know that your smile really can light up a room!
Smiling boosts your immune system
The act of smiling improves your overall health and helps your immune system function more effectively. It is believed that because you’re more relaxed (because of those neurotransmitters we talked about earlier), immune function improves.
Smiling boosts your confidence
Studies show that when you smile, you immediately appear more approachable and friendly to those around you. When you smile, people will want to talk to you more and be closer to you because they feel your positivity. A smile radiates confidence, and confidence attracts everyone.
Babies are born with the ability to smile
This one is just cool. It has been proven that babies learn from observing the people around them, but from the minute they are born, babies have the ability to smile. Now that’s taking the phrase “just happy to be here” more literally than we’ve ever seen it.
Those who smile live longer on average
Since smiling means you’re happy, it is likely that you will live a longer and more relaxed life than those who regularly frown. Believe it or not, smiling can actually help you live seven years longer on average!
People tend to smile more when they are around other people
Sure, you might laugh or smile to yourself while you’re watching your favorite Netflix show, but studies show that people smile more when they have an audience. People smile more often because of interactions with other people, which proves to us that we are social beings who thrive on social interaction.
Smiling makes you seem younger, more professional, and more outgoing
Because of the muscles used in your face when you smile, your face is lifted when you smile, making you look younger. A smile also makes you seem more friendly and outgoing, as well as more professional!
There are nineteen types of smiles
According to research, the nineteen different types of smiles can be categorized into two groups: “social” smiles versus genuinely happy smiles. The list of nineteen includes smiles that are loving, embarrassed, and genuine.
We hope these fun facts made you, well, smile.
Read more fun facts, expert advice, and dental industry news on the Biteline blog.
