From an early age, we are conditioned to flash a grin when we hear, “say cheese!” When you smile on command, does it look and feel natural? Some smiles happen organically, and some are forced. Either way, research shows that a smile can actually release endorphins into your body. So if you’re feeling blue, try smiling, even if you don’t feel like it. You may be surprised that turning your frown upside down may act as a mild anti-depressant. Park Ridge dentists, Dr. Thanasi and Dr. Maria Loukas , will happily share more information about types of smiles.
Smiles: Posed or Felt
Think of politicians on the campaign trail, or actors on the red carpet. Pay attention next time you see a celebrity at a big event, and notice their smile. Does it seem posed or felt? Posed smiles are obviously common in photographs. They are also utilized in response to audience cheers in the middle of speeches. As you can figure, posed smiles are not necessarily genuine. Felt smiles are much more likely to be sincere. You can differentiate a felt smile from a posed smile by noticing the contraction of muscles around the eyes of the person who is smiling. The next time you watch television, see if you can pick out the felt smiles from the posed smiles.
The Power of Smiles on Careers
Quite a few careers involve working with others throughout the day. Smiling can make coworkers and superiors more comfortable, leading to a higher chance of job success. People even assume intelligence levels based on the quality and confidence of someone’s smile. If you feel that your smile is holding you back on the job, cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, and teeth whitening might give you an edge when you’re up for a promotion. Men have especially begun to embrace teeth whitening more frequently in these modern times because they find it gives them a leg up when striving for job success.
Visit your Park Ridge Dentists
To schedule an appointment with one of our dentists, contact our Park Ridge, IL dentist office at 847.696.1919. Drs. Maria and Thanasi Loukas provide cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental care to patients living in and around Chicago, Park Ridge, and the 60068 zip code.