(It is more than you think.)

By Dr. Thomas S. Jennings, DDS

Smile at each other, smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children,
smile at each other — it doesn’t matter who it is — and that will help you to grow up in
greater love for each other.
– Mother Teresa

A person’s smile is central in their ability to function, and as Mother Teresa says, to find fulfillment in our society. It is known that pleasing smiles are not just for celebrities, and can have many positive benefits for our friends and family. A smile:

1. Makes Us Attractive
We are drawn to people who smile. We want to know a smiling person and figure out what is so good. Frowns, scowls and grimaces all push people away — but a smile draws them in.

2. Improves our Mood
Next time you are feeling down, try putting on a smile. There’s a good chance your mood will change for the better. Smiling can trick the body into helping you change your mood.

3. Is Contagious
When someone is smiling they lighten up the room, change the moods of others, and make things happier. A smiling person brings happiness with them.

4. Relieves Stress
Stress can really show up in our faces. Smiling helps to prevent us from looking tired, worn down, and overwhelmed. When you are stressed, take time to put on a smile. The stress should be reduced and you’ll be better able to take action.

5. Boosts Immune Function
Smiling helps the immune system to work better and can decrease your risk for multiple health issues.

6. Lowers Blood Pressure
When you smile, there is a measurable reduction in your blood pressure. Give it a try if you have a blood pressure monitor at home. Sit for a few minutes, take a reading. Then smile for a minute and take another reading while still smiling. Do you notice a difference?

7. Releases Endorphins, Natural Pain Killers and Serotonin
Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, natural pain killers, and serotonin. Together these three make us feel good. Smiling is a natural drug.

8. Lifts the Face and Makes Us Look Younger
The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger. Don’t go for a face lift, just try smiling your way through the day — you’ll look younger and feel better.

9. Makes Us Appear Successful
Smiling people appear more confident, are more likely to be promoted, and more likely to be approached. Put on a smile at meetings and appointments and people will react to you differently.

10. Helps Us Stay Positive
Try this test: Smile. Now try to think of something negative without losing the smile. It’s hard. When we smile our body is sending the rest of us a message that “Life is Good!” Stay away from depression, stress and worry by smiling.

Helping create a smile that they are comfortable and confident with is one of the most important things that can be done for a dental patient, and seeing its effect on people’s lives is a very rewarding experience. Although there is no such thing as a recognized “specialist” or “expert” in “Cosmetic Dentistry”, some in dentistry have pursued the training and skills necessary to properly diagnosis, plan, coordinate with adjunct providers, restore, and provide a pleasing smile that meets patients’ expectations. There are multiple criteria through which a successful result can be evaluated:

1. Does it pleasingly fit into the overall facial appearance?
2. Were all specific physical criteria of teeth and gums managed properly?
   • Color
   • Size/Shape
   • Proportion
   • Symmetry
3. Is it functional?
4. Is it stable and able to last over time?
5. Was it accomplished in the most conservative manner possible?
6. Is it maintainable and healthy?
7. Was it accomplished in a way that fit into the patient’s time, budget and other life constraints?
8. Were emotional issues managed with empathy and compassion?

Even though the same criteria are used to measure success in each case, every person and their smile is unique and the methods employed to achieve it are always very individual. Some smiles can be much simpler to manage than a patient imagines, and some have very involved and complicated underlying issues that must be resolved in order to reach the desired result. If you or someone you know have any questions about what can be done to help them have the smile they would like, please have them call our office. We are accepting new patients and would enjoy helping you and them.