Dr. Radha Sisodia talks to us about the power of our smiles and what we can do to harness it.
At 28 years old and after 18 months of treatment, my smile is straight. My orthodontic treatment (teeth alignment) is complete, and my teeth are sparkling and celebrating their newfound freedom! There has never been a photo I wasn’t ready for. As photos from the past decade will attest, I rarely smiled in photos that showed my teeth. I promise you – I felt great, but only now does my smile reflect that.
Smiling allows us to express our happiness and joy.. If you are unhappy or embarrassed about your smile, you tend to avoid it and, in turn, it can reduce your quality of life. In the ever-growing era of social media, general health awareness, and mental health, more and more people are selectively choosing to improve their smile.
Why?
When I was younger, I felt relieved and even a little proud of myself that I didn't qualify as having "bad enough teeth" to wear braces! What my dentist didn't explain to me was that, Even if you haven't needed braces in the past, over time – teeth can move! Over the years, slowly but surely, I noticed that my top teeth were becoming more and more misaligned. I stopped smiling broadly in photos and found myself wishing I had chosen to straighten my teeth when I was younger.
Many times during my twenties, I came close to starting this journey, but my family and very nice friends would always tell me that I had a “nice smile” and that it was “cute.” Since it was a “cosmetic” treatment, I had found an excuse to “do it later.” Working as a dentist, I was always improving and creating other people’s smiles, but I was holding back when it came to my own. In fact, my teeth weren’t that crowded, and like most of my New Year’s resolutions, it took me a while to finally take the step to commit to starting treatment. Ultimately, it wasn’t a big birthday or my upcoming wedding that made me take the plunge. Finally, after treating so many patients with Invisalign and seeing through their journeys, I appreciated the fact that fixing your smile changes your life. (as discussed later in this article). As much as others may have thought my smile was “wonderful,” I didn’t. I thought to myself, I’ve always wished I had done this sooner – and there’s no time sooner than now!
“Even if you haven’t needed braces in the past, over time – teeth can move.”
I took the leap and haven't looked back since. Actually – that's not true. I actually look back and think – why did I wait so long to get my teeth straightened!
The financial investment, the dedication of my time, the commute back and forth to my dentist, the occasional sensitivity after appointments, and the fact that I can't leave the house without flossing, in my eyes, was totally worth it! I am truly happier and much more confident. I love to smile. After the treatment was over, I remember having my boyfriend take a selfie again because I was smiling. without to show my teeth. Well, that's not my style anymore.
Cosmetics vs. well-being
Is there a widespread misconception that teeth straightening is purely cosmetic. From a professional perspective, it can easily be stated that over 801% of patients undergoing orthodontic treatment initially present for an aesthetic solution – or, in other words, for their smile to to show better.
However, as my professional experience shows, offering orthodontic treatment to my clients is often about much more than aesthetics. It means that I am able to see them regularly for at least 12 months and sometimes up to 36 months. It is a privilege of the profession to be able to be with them throughout their treatment. Forming strong interpersonal relationships allows us to be aware not only of the client's physical changes, but also of their emotional ones.
Straighter smiles not only look beautiful, but they are also, much easier to clean and maintain and make teeth less susceptible to cavities, gum disease, stains, and tooth surface wear. A straighter smile is a healthier smile.
Is it a happier smile though? It's usually at the end of treatment, where you don't just get a beautiful smile, but something much deeper. In addition to the clear physical benefits that straight teeth have on oral health, the positive psychological effect that a straighter, brighter smile has is unmatched.
Smiling induces pleasure
A single smile can create the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 chocolate bars, British researchers discovered, as Ron Gutman, author of the book Smile, noted:
The Astonishing Powers of a Simple Act (The Amazing Powers of a Simple Act), explains the publication and Ted TalkBut please don't try this at home—your dentist won't thank me, and neither will your MyFitnessPal calorie tracker. Unlike eating your body weight in chocolate, smiling can help increasing endorphins (hormones that improve mood) and reducing levels of stress-increasing hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.
“The act of physically smiling makes us feel better.”
We smile when we are happy. Interestingly, whether it is real or fake, even the simple physical act of smiling sends neural feedback to the brain, releasing hormones that make us feel better about ourselves. Charles Darwin wrote about this phenomenon in his “Theory of Evolution.”.
“A single smile can create the same level of brain stimulation as up to 2,000 chocolate bars.”
This was also supported by a German study, who measured brain activity before and after the use of Botox (a toxin in facial muscles), concluding that neural processing of emotional content is altered by facial feedback.
Psychologists have discovered that certain sets of facial actions allow us to recognize genuine smiles. Genuine smiles are those that engage the muscles around the eyes and are called Duchenne smile (or more colloquially known as, for millennials and smoky supermodels – Smizing – smiling with your eyes). Essentially, we feel better when we smile. So if you don’t feel like smiling, as the saying goes – fake it until you make it! Rest assured, those happy hormones are on their way.
Smiling is contagious
Smiling is truly contagious. Research conducted at Uppsala University, Sweden, showed that it’s harder to frown when you’re looking at someone who’s smiling. We’ve all been there – remember sitting in class or in the most awkward social situation where you had to laugh and all you could do was try your hardest not to look your friend in the eye and smile or burst into uncontrollable laughter? Smiling takes control of our facial muscles. Copying a smile allows us to physically experience it – which leads to understanding the emotional state of the person in front of us. Smiling is evolutionary addictive!
Smiling may predict a longer lifespan
3D ultrasound technology allows us to see that developing babies appear to smile – even inside the womb. We are born smiling, and babies, especially when they sleep, continue to smile. Researchers at Wayne State University, USA, discovered that a player's smile can predict their lifespan: those who smiled lived an average of 8 years longer!
More attractive, more likeable and calmer
Research shows that smiling makes you look younger, while frowning makes you look older. As we age, we lose elasticity and the fat beneath the skin, which causes the mouth to turn downward and the “sad-looking” appearance. Smiling contracts the muscles of the face, which not only lifts the corners of the mouth, but also lifts the cheek, cheekbones, and neck. Does anyone want a free facelift? A smile follows.
Smiling also makes you seem more likeable, attentive, and even more competent, researchers at Penn State University have found. People who smile also do better in job interviews, at work, and are more successful in business. In terms of social health, smiling builds stronger, healthier friendships. It signals friendliness and fosters positive interactions. This extends even further, as a study, showed that students who smiled had more satisfaction and fulfillment in their future marriages.
“A straighter smile is a healthier smile.”
Some investigation they also linked smiling to less aggression and physical dominance. As a general rule, to be a winner in life, show us those pearly whites!
Smile because...
Being happy, satisfied and proud of your smile is imperative not only for your physical health, but also for your emotional and psychological well-being. Improving your smile can be a hugely beneficial investment. So the next time you are thinking about improving your smile or when you come in for a check-up – remember – your dentist can be your best friend. We are here to help you become healthier and happier. – without the calories of 2,000 chocolate bars.
Source: enlightensmiles.com
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