{"id":678,"date":"2024-02-15T11:01:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T11:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/?p=678"},"modified":"2024-03-11T14:54:33","modified_gmt":"2024-03-11T14:54:33","slug":"5-big-ways-that-smiling-benefits-your-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richardfossumdds.com\/blog\/5-big-ways-that-smiling-benefits-your-health\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Lesser-Known Ways That Smiling Benefits Your Health"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you seek out cosmetic dentistry<\/a>, it\u2019s almost certainly because you want a pretty smile. The field\u2019s treatments are made to brighten your teeth, hide damage, and more. Even so, cosmetic dental work can help your body in other ways \u2013 making a habit of smiling benefits your health! As a result, a procedure that leads to a confidence-inspiring grin will prompt a healthier life. Here are five ways that smiling strengthens you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

It Eases Your Pain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever heard the expression \u201cgrin and bear it\u201d? Well, it holds more truth than you\u2019d think. The reality is that smiling acts as a pain reliever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you use your facial muscles to smile, your body releases natural painkillers. These include endorphins, serotonin, and other brain chemicals. In doing so, the action helps your body feel good from head to toe. Aches you may have felt are blocked out and replaced with a sense of ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Lowers Your Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of ease, smiling doesn\u2019t just reduce your physical pain. It also lowers your actual stress levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This truth was found by scientists at the University of Kansas. A study of subjects doing complex tasks found that smiling could reduce stress. Participants who smiled during their work had lower heart rate measurements. In other words, these subjects recovered from their tasks the most quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Boosts Your Mood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to your smile, you really can \u201cfake it \u2018till you make it.\u201d Showing off your pearly whites has the power to make you happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smiling affects the brain by activating certain neural pathways. These pathways then proceed to impact your emotions. You\u2019ll essentially \u201ctrick\u201d your mind into a state of happiness. From there, you\u2019re more likely to enjoy (or at least tolerate) your current situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Improves Your Immune System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Aside from helping how you feel, smiling can make you more resistant to diseases. The habit will improve your immune system and let it function better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This unique effect may have to do with your mood. As stated earlier, smiling lowers your stress by releasing some brain chemicals. From there, your immune system is less overworked and able to fight against disease more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It Helps You Live Longer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It seems your smile can even contribute to a long life. According to current research, a habit of smiling is known to lengthen your overall lifespan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time added by your smile isn\u2019t small. In fact, studies suggest that smiling happily could increase lifespan by years. That could mean a happy, positive mood is crucial to a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About the Author<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Richard Fossum<\/em><\/a> is your resident dentist in Temple, TX, having earned his DDS from the UTHealth School of Dentistry. He\u2019s also a certified member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the Texas Dental Association. Thanks to continual education, his expertise spans preventive, cosmetic, and restorative work, as well as emergency dentistry. Today, Dr. Fossum practices at <\/em>his self-titled clinic<\/em><\/a> and is reachable on <\/em>his website<\/em><\/a> and by phone at (254)-778-3900<\/strong>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you seek out cosmetic dentistry, it\u2019s almost certainly because you want a pretty smile. The field\u2019s treatments are made to brighten your teeth, hide damage, and more. Even so, cosmetic dental work can help your body in other ways \u2013 making a habit of smiling benefits your health! As a result, a procedure that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 Ways Smiling Benefits Your Health | Dr. Richard Fossum, DDS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You likely didn\u2019t know that smiling benefits your health. 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