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How Smiling Affects Your Happiness

How Smiling Affects Your Happiness
Posted on 12/18/2018
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At Smile Power Orthodontics, we're proud to offer comprehensive orthodontic treatment to patients throughout the Walnut Creek, CA area. We firmly believe that everyone deserves a smile they feel proud to show off because the more satisfied you are with your smile, the more likely you are to use it. And according to data from various neurological studies, that's a good thing: because believe it or not, smiling can have a major impact on your happiness!

The Benefits of Smiling for Happiness


For the most part, people think of smiling as a symptom of happiness. But contrary to popular belief, smiling can be a cause of happiness, as well. The simple act of smiling releases dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins in your brain, three chemicals responsible for making us feel happy and warm. These chemicals, in addition to lifting mood, also work to relax the body and lower both heart rate and blood pressure, producing a feeling of not only happiness but overall well-being. 

But the positive effects of a smile don't stop there. It turns out that smiling can even produce an effect on other people! Research has shown that seeing a smiling face activates the region of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex, which processes sensory rewards. This suggests that seeing someone smiling makes our brain feel as though it's being rewarded. Furthermore, people tend to mimic the emotions of those around them – so smiling can cause other people to smile as well, multiplying the benefits. It's true what they say, a smile can be contagious!

Schedule a Consultation for Braces in Walnut Creek


These are just a few of the many benefits of smiling for your happiness, and few things cause you to smile quite like having a smile you're truly proud of. That's why achieving a new smile through braces or Invisalign from your Walnut Creek orthodontist does more than impact your oral health: it can lift your mood and quality of life overall, as well. If you're interested in learning how orthodontic treatment can help you achieve a gorgeous new smile, we'd love to help. Take the first step towards a beautiful new smile you'll be excited to show off: schedule a consultation today!