How Smiling Affects Your Mental Health

From working out regularly to eating a balanced diet, we often get caught up in working on our physical wellness. Although that’s certainly important, prioritizing your mental health is essential as well. After all, the condition of our mental health impacts our lives greatly, from how we handle stress to how we relate with others. Fortunately, there is one thing you can do every day to improve yours: smile!

So, How Does Smiling Affect Your Mental Health?

Has someone ever told you to turn your frown upside down? As corny as it sounds, there is an extensive amount of research that supports the merit of this phrase. A neurologist from IGEA Brain and Spine shared that while dopamine increases our feelings of happiness, serotonin release is associated with reduced stress. This natural chemical reaction when we smile lifts your mood, lowers your stress levels, and even boosts your immune system! On the other hand, lack of smiling results in lower levels of dopamine, which is associated with depression. So, it’s easy to see how smiling affects your mental health, even if you do not necessarily feel like flashing a grin.

4 Ways to Laugh and Smile More

Naturally, there are some days when you feel like smiling more than others. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can make yourself grin and lift your mood:

• Fake it – When you’re feeling down, force a smile. Although it may not feel genuine, research shows that the same “happy” chemicals are released in your brain. Before long, you’ll be smiling for real!
• Engage with others – Socializing with friends and loved ones over dinner or while out shopping will put a genuine grin on your face. The best part? You won’t even have to think twice about it!
• Find humor – When you’re out with friends, smiling and laughing come easy. When you’re home alone, that task becomes a bit harder. In scenarios like this, try watching a funny movie, or standup!
• Laugh at yourself – You know what they say, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.” So, do your best to look for humor in the good and bad times.

How to Properly Care for Your Smile

As a dentist in Little Rock, I know all too well that one of the biggest reasons people don’t grin is because they are unhappy with their smile. If this sounds all too familiar, then priority number one is to focus on your oral health. Here are a few best practices to help:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.

• Floss and rinse with mouthwash daily.

• Gently clean your tongue with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush.

• Limit your consumption of sugary foods and beverages, like soda and candy.

• Visit your dentist bi-yearly for a checkup and cleaning.

• Quit unhealthy dental habits, like smoking and chewing on ice.

If you’ve implemented all of these best practices and are still unhappy with your smile, then consider scheduling an appointment with your dentist to discuss cosmetic dentistry. During this visit, they will learn all about the features of your smile you’d like to change, what your dream smile looks like, and what your unique dental needs are. From there, they can make a recommendation on which treatment is right for you, from beautiful veneers to effective teeth whitening. Once the details of your custom treatment plan are ironed out, you’ll be another step closer to your dream smile!

Throughout your life, it’s natural to have some not-so-good days. Fortunately, you have a go-to resource that can improve your mood and better your mental health: your smile!