You may not realize it, but smiling can have a positive impact on more than just your physical appearance. Your mental, emotional and behavioral health can benefit from improvements made to your pearly whites. If you are interested in learning how you can take your smile to the next level, find out more about the various cosmetic services that are available as well as how they can help to improve your overall health.
How a Smile Can Make a Difference
Whether it is a new diet, a self-help book or a new mindfulness approach, people seem to be grasping for anything that will help to boost their health and well-being.
Unfortunately, many of these tactics either do not have lasting effects or do not generate the kind of results that a person truly desires.
However, researchers have discovered that a healthy, beautiful smile can make all the difference in the world. If you’re interested in learning how, here are a few examples below:
- Smiling can lengthen your lifespan. A study published in Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being stated that happiness is a key component to living and enjoying a longer life. When a person smiles (and means it), it leads to greater feelings of happiness.
- Smiling can lower your stress level. Even when juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, cracking a smile can reduce your stress. It doesn’t even have to be a genuine one. Just put on a smile and watch how you begin to feel more at ease.
- Smiling helps to enhance your immune system. The act of smiling is designed to help you feel more relaxed. When this happens, the body’s immune system begins to improve. This can have a positive impact on your ability to fight off infections within the mouth and body.
Ways to Boost Your Smile
If the idea of smiling more to improve your overall health sounds like a good idea, you’re likely wondering how you can make your pearly whites look their best. You can do this by seeing a trusted cosmetic dentist and inquiring about:
- Teeth Whitening
- Custom Veneers
- Invisalign Clear Aligners
- Tooth-Colored Fillings
No matter the type of cosmetic treatment you choose, you and your dentist can develop a plan that produces a more beautiful smile as well as a healthier mind and body.
About the Author
Dr. Joseph W. Costa, Jr. is a dentist in Worcester who earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine in 1991. As the lead dentist at Dr. Costa & Dr. Waxman Family Dentistry, we offer various cosmetic dental services that are designed to transform smiles so that patients feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance. As you consider ways to improve the look of your teeth and gums, contact us at (508) 755-1980 to find out how we can help.