We all smile when we hear something funny, when we’re happy, and sometimes we even fake it when we meet someone new. But a smile is much more than an expression. It can actually help keep you healthy. At my dental office in Forest Hills, we want to talk about the powerful benefits of smiling and why you should do it more.

It’s All About the Endorphins

Endorphins are chemicals in your brain that, when released, create a feeling of happiness. This release is caused by movements in the facial muscles, like smiling. Not only do these powerful neurotransmitters cause us to feel happy, they’re also our bodies’ natural pain killer. This may be where the expression “laugh off the pain” comes from, because it really can work.

Smiling Kills Stress

Endorphins not only help the happy come out, they also squash stress and anxiety. When we’re stressed, our bodies produce more of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol makes us feel all the unpleasant emotions we experience when stress levels are high. Endorphins actually help lower cortisol levels, killing stress.

Boost Your Immune System

One of the biggest ways smiling works in keeping you healthy is by boosting your white blood cell count. Smiling helps our bodies create more white blood cells which then fight off germs and bacteria.

Go Ahead, Get Smiling

As we’ve learned, smiling is a pretty magical thing that can help in so many ways. If you’re not smiling enough throughout the day, try some of these tips to help you get all of the benefits a smile brings.

• Watch a funny movie. Laughing brings a simple smile to a whole other level and boosts the health benefits. Pop in your favorite chuckle-inducing classic and cackle away.

• Fake it till you make it. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between a fake smile and real one. And guess what? A fake one still provides health benefits. So turn the frown upside down and feel the happy.

• Be around people who make you happy. Spending time with those who make us laugh or bring us joy is bound to be smiling-inducing.

If you’re not smiling more because you’re embarrassed by your teeth, give my Forest Hills dental office a call. We can help get you a smile you’re confident about through several cosmetic dentistry options. We’ll talk about your ideal smile and how we can make it a reality so you can smile wide and enjoy the health benefits.

Welcoming new patients from Forest Hills, Bel Air, and Fallston.