YOU PROBABLY HEARD the line “it takes fewer muscles to smile than to frown” when you were growing up, but it is fair to wonder whether a smile does anything for you beyond looking friendly. Many of us hold back when we feel stressed or unsure about our teeth, and we rarely stop to think about what that might cost us. The surprising news is a simple smile may be worth the effort, both for your mood and possibly for your health.
Our team at Newton Smile Centre loves helping patients feel proud of their smiles. As part of our preventive dentistry care, we help you keep your teeth and gums healthy so smiling feels easy, and we are happy to explain what we see at every visit.
Why a Smile May Lift Your Mood
We obviously smile when we feel happy, but psychologists have long wondered whether it works the other way too. The idea is called the facial feedback hypothesis, and it suggests the expression on your face can nudge how you feel. Even a smile you did not feel at first may help a little, so it might be worth trying the next time you are having a rough day. Think of it as a small experiment you can run on yourself, with no cost and no downside.
A well-known 2012 experiment by psychologists Tara Kraft and Sara Pressman tested this idea. Participants completed stressful tasks while holding chopsticks in their mouths in ways that shaped their faces into either a neutral expression or a smile. The smiling groups showed lower heart rates as they recovered, which suggests smiling may help us manage stress.
What Researchers Say About Smiling and Health
According to a 2023 review in Health Psychology Review, studies of both natural and experimentally induced smiles consistently suggest smiling may help the body during acute stress, speed stress recovery, and may even be linked with less illness over time. The authors also point out the field is still young, and some of the possible pathways remain relatively untested.
In other words, smiling is not a cure for anything, and it does not replace medical care. Still, it is a free, low-risk habit that may support how you handle stress day to day. Think of it as one small piece of a healthy routine alongside good sleep, regular movement, and regular checkups. Your dentist is part of that routine, because a comfortable, healthy mouth makes smiling easier.
How a Healthy Smile Supports Your Confidence
It can be hard to smile freely when you feel unsure about the way your teeth look. Stains, chips, or gaps can make people hold back in photos, at work, and in conversation. Having a smile you are proud to show off starts with a steady hygiene routine, and our oral hygiene instruction can help you build habits that fit your life.
If something about your smile bothers you, we can talk through options such as teeth whitening for stains or other cosmetic treatments that match your goals. Every smile is different, so we take the time to explain what may work for you. Our approach is to show you what we see and discuss your goals before recommending anything, so you always know your options.
Simple Habits That Help You Smile With Confidence
A few daily habits can help keep your smile healthy and ready to share:
- Brush twice a day and floss daily.
- Drink water throughout the day to rinse away food and sugar.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals.
- Smile on purpose a few times a day, even when you do not feel like it.
- Schedule regular cleanings and exams.
None of these steps take much time, and together they may help you feel more comfortable showing your smile. Bring any questions about your dental health to your next visit, and we are glad to walk you through the answers. Small, steady habits tend to add up over months and years.
Schedule Your Visit With Newton Smile Centre
Dr. Walid Benaissa earned his doctorate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2004, and Dr. Talar Kiladjian earned her Master’s in Oral Health Sciences and her doctorate from Boston University. Together with our close-knit team, we offer a warm, homey setting where you are treated like family. You can learn more about our doctors and team before your first appointment.
Regular professional cleanings and exams give us the chance to catch small problems while they are easy to treat. We are in-network with Delta, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, United, and MetLife, and you can contact our office to schedule your next visit.
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
About the Reviewer: Dr. Walid Benaissa, DMD
- Doctorate of Dental Medicine, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (2004)
- Advanced training via the Maxicourse at NYU College of Dentistry — occlusion, implant restoration, full-mouth reconstruction
- Member: American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society, American Academy of Group Dental Practices, The Dawson Academy
- Founder of Newton Smile Centre (2010)
About the Reviewer: Dr. Talar Kiladjian, DMD
- Doctorate of Dental Medicine, Boston University School of Dental Medicine
- Master's in Oral Health Sciences, Boston University School of Medicine
- Certified Invisalign provider; trained in CEREC same-day restorative technology
- Member: American Dental Association, Massachusetts Dental Society