According to Liberty Dental Associates, a smirk, grin, or smile just makes you feel good, and while you were born with the amazing ability to turn up the corners of your mouth, people tend to smile less as they get older.

Studies indicate that children put on a happy face around 400 times a day while average happy adults might smile 40 or 50 times, a typical adult only smiles 20 times per day.

Why Smiling is So Important

Smiling is an instant mood booster as it helps your body release endorphins and cortisol providing health benefits that include:

Lower Blood Pressure

Less Stress

More Energy

Natural Pain Relief

A Stronger Immune System

While there is no hard evidence to suggest that it takes more muscles to frown than smile, researchers know that there are some real benefits to smiling.

The Benefits of a Happy Face

Libertyville Dental Associates explains that smiling releases neuropeptides that reduce stress. Dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin also come to the party. While endorphins act as pain relievers, the serotonin acts as an antidepressant. Some even believe that smiling helps you recover faster. Even fake smiles are worth the effort as they boost your mood.

Smiling is Extremely Contagious

The funny thing about smiling is that when you smile at someone, nine times out of ten they will smile back. You just can’t help but react when someone smiles at you. Smiling is infectious, pass it around and you will see for yourself how beneficial smiling is for everyone.

Smiling Helps Your Career

When you smile, it will help your performance in the workplace. Smiling makes people positive and when linked to decision-making have a positive effect on everyone else in the office. Positive emotions are invigorating while negative emotions have the opposite effect. Smiling more often will also put you at the top of the list when it comes to a new job or promotion.

Put a Smile on Your Face Every Day

One of the best ways to put a smile on your face every day is to wake up with one in the morning. If you make it a habit, just like brushing and flossing, it will eventually become automatic. One smile leads to more smiles.

Another great way to put a smile on your face is to give the Post it Note Challenge a go. All you have to do is collect 20 of your favorite things and write them down on your post it notes. Stick them around your home or at work and you will be smiling 24/7.

Scientists believe there are 10 different smile types. Take pictures of you and your family and friends and capture those different smiles. How many do you have? How many does your partner have?

You Can Have a Beautiful and Healthy Smile

If your smile is less than contagious, call and schedule a cosmetic dentistry consultation with the team from Libertyville Dental Associates today. You’ll be smiling more and so will everyone else.

Book a dental appointment online with Libertyville Dental Associates today.