4 Health Benefits of Smiling

It may surprise you to learn that researchers have discovered that people who smile more are healthier in many different ways. We all know someone who is more fun to be around because of their happiness, positivity, and quick smile. Now it turns out that this person may be healthier as well!

Health Benefits of Smiling

Below are 4 ways that smiling more can help you improve your health:

• Smiling makes you happier – Whether you mean it or not, turning your frown upside down can actually make you feel happier. When you smile, your brain releases endorphins, which is the hormone that makes you feel happy. This means that the saying “fake it till you make it” is a pretty accurate one!
• Smiling lessens pain – Smiling and laughing has been shown to help reduce pain. The endorphins we mentioned above can also act as natural painkillers. This is why it’s been found that happier people have a much higher pain tolerance than others.
• Smiling improves your immune system – The stress hormone known as cortisol is found to decrease significantly when you’re smiling. The decrease in cortisol will allow your antibodies (the cells in your body that fight off germs) to increase, which will boost your immune system. Having a more active immune system will help you fight off sicknesses more quickly and get sick less.
• Smiling lowers blood pressure – Lastly, smiling will lower your blood pressure and allow nutrients and oxygen to flow more freely through your body. If you have high blood pressure, smiling often enough can help your blood pressure naturally decrease to a healthy level.

Here at Little Rockies Pediatric Dentistry, we want to help your children achieve and maintain smiles that they can be proud to show off! To make an appointment for your child to receive a dental cleaning and checkup, please contact our office today. Our child’s dentist is located here in Parker, Colorado.