Teeth are key players in two processes essential for human life: digestion and communication. While you are probably well aware of how your teeth serve to tear, shred, and grind food into a soft pulp that can be easily digested, you may not realize that your pearly whites do a lot to help you speak clearly and express your emotions. Amazingly, showing your teeth often by smiling frequently can also be excellent for your overall health. Here are some of the benefits of smiling and how your dentist can help you achieve the grin of your dreams.
Smiling Frequently Releases Your Body’s Feel-Good Hormones
Your moods are significantly affected by your hormone levels, and having too much cortisol and not enough endorphins can leave you feeling stressed and depressed. Fortunately, the simple act of smiling can trigger the release of your body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can help you maintain a sunny, enthusiastic, and optimistic outlook. Even if you don’t feel like grinning at the moment, doing so may be the easiest and most efficient way to achieve a more pleasant state of mind.
Being Proud of Your Smile Encourages Good Oral Hygiene
If you take pride in your smile, you will probably be eager to show it off, and if you’re proud of something, you will probably be more motivated to take care of it. Having a gorgeous grin can help you stay enthused about excellent oral hygiene that includes brushing, flossing, and using antibacterial mouthwash every day. This can prevent a host of oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease that can lead to nasty consequences like bad breath and tooth loss and possibly dangerous secondary infections like sepsis or pneumonia.
How Can My Cosmetic Dentist Help?
Luckily, your cosmetic dentist is trained and equipped to address a host of dental defects like chips, cracks, stains, gaps, and misshapenness. A few popular aesthetic dental treatments include:
- Veneers: These devices can completely transform your smile into a gorgeous new state in as few as two appointments.
- Metal-free restorations: These modern dental crowns can restore the function and strength of compromised teeth while maintaining a beautifully natural appearance.
- Direct bonding: This quick and noninvasive treatment can address minor chips, cracks, gaps, and stains in minutes.
- Teeth whitening: Professional whitening treatments can lift stubborn stains and discoloration and leave teeth up to eight shades whiter.
Achieving a beautiful smile can make it easier to enjoy the many health benefits of grinning frequently. Consulting with your dentist can help you find out if any of these treatments can be a good fit for you.
About the Author
Dr. Reem Saywa earned her dental degree at the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School and is a Certified Invisalign Provider. She continues to further her education through postgraduate coursework so she can stay abreast of the latest developments in her field. Her office in Farmington Hills offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry. To book your cosmetic dental consultation, contact her office online or dial (248) 855-4850.