How good teeth and smiling enhance your happiness

Successfully avoiding bad breath, tooth decay, and gum disease are satisfactory reasons to maintain good oral hygiene. But there’s more to good teeth than these practical benefits – a strong, shiny set of pearly whites and a nice smile have been actually shown in studies to enhance one’s wellness and happiness.

Image source: Pixabay.com

A good set of teeth does wonders for your health. When teeth are properly aligned, gums tend to be much healthier as well. This can translate to fewer illnesses and even a lower risk of major issues such as heart disease and stroke. It also results in increased comfort, since crooked or misaligned teeth can sometimes cause the jaw to sit incorrectly and lead to muscle strains. Some misalignments, too, can cause major problems with your gums and bite.

Confidence and a better life are other winning benefits. In a study on how smiling improves cooperation between men and women, it was found that seeing a picture of one’s partner smiling strongly improved trust and led to more successful results. A separate study showed that people who genuinely smiled recovered with lower heart rates more quickly than their non-smiling peers.

Even your career can directly benefit from the habit of smiling. People with whiter teeth are perceived to earn almost $17,000 more every year than those with stained teeth, and a good smile even doubles the perception of having a university education. But what could be better than enhanced happiness? The act of smiling has also been seen in research to positively affect different parts of the brain to promote feelings of happiness.
Image source: Pixabay.com 

Hopefully, these reasons are compelling enough for you to strive to maintain good teeth and oral health, and being on the lookout for signs of dental trouble. Your health and happiness, after all, could be on the line.

Dr. Kami Hoss is a sought-after author, consultant, inventor, and speaker in the fields of dentistry and business. He has a master’s in craniofacial biology and a doctorate in dental surgery. He also co-founded The Super Dentists with his business partner and wife, Dr. Nazli Keri. For similar reads, visit this blog.


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