The smile is the first thing we perceive in a person. If they smile at us, it is very likely that we will too. In fact, according to a studyHalf the people would smile back at a stranger. What is it about a smile that has such a powerful effect on our health and mood?
Smiling improves our physical and mental health
A smile has positive effects both for us and for our environment, in the sense that it improves our social and personal relationships.
If we focus on the effects that a smile has on our physical and mental state, various studies show that smiling activates the release of neuropeptides that fight stress. We also release dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, which relax our bodies, lowering our heart rate and blood pressure. Endorphins help calm pain and serotonin acts as an antidepressant that makes us be in a better mood. We only have to connect with a memory of that moment in which we have laughed and enjoyed nonstop: do we feel comforted simply by remembering it?
Regarding our social relationships, it has also been shown that when you smile, others treat you differently, since they perceive you as more attractive, relaxed and confident. Researchers at the Face Research Laboratory in Aberdeen (Scotland) they discovered that Both men and women are more attracted to images of people making eye contact and smiling.
What happens when we lose the smile?
There are many people who are reluctant to smile. And not because they don't feel like it or don't feel happy. There are certain oral health problems that cause "defects" in the aspect of smiling, and that make the person embarrassed to smile or laugh openly.
The majority of patients who transmit this lack of desire to smile present some of the following problems:
- Yellowish or stained teeth, due to the passage of time, contact with certain foods and drinks such as coffee or red wine, tobacco or certain medications.
- Missing one or more teeth, either due to trauma or a caries or periodontitis problem.
- Malposition of the teeth, due to a bad habit, trauma during the growth stage or lack of space.
- Halitosis, or bad breath, generally caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth with volatile compounds derived from sulfur, such as hydrogen sulfide.
These problems can make it hard for us to smile, smile with our hand over our mouth, or feel insecure about how we look. All this ends up affecting our self-esteem and our ability to relate to others. Because a beautiful smile is a healthy smile.
How can we solve it?
The first thing we recommend is a visit to the dentist to diagnose and treat possible oral problems at the root. Depending on the cause, you can opt for orthodontic treatments, dental implantology, whitening, ceramic veneers or direct composite veneers.
Once we carry out a digital study of the smile and an evaluation of oral health, our team of specialists from the Aesthetic Unit will guide you on the most appropriate treatment for you.
From here on, and both to prevent and to maintain oral health after treatment, we recommend that you follow a careful dental hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and mouthwash if recommended by your dentist. you can follow these tips to improve your oral hygiene habits.