When you are feeling stressed the last thing you usually want to do is smile – but it turns out that smiling can actually reduce your stress level.

A study completed at the University of Kansas gave students anxiety-inducing tasks. The students were tested three ways including not smiling, being told to smile and while holding chopsticks in their teeth to force a smile. It turns out that any kind of smile, genuine or faked with chopsticks helped reduce stress for the students. The stress levels dipped even lower when the students used a “real” smile.

“Age-old adages such as ‘grin and bear it’, have suggested smiling to be not only an important non-verbal indicator of happiness but also wishfully promotes smiling as a panacea for life’s stressful events said researcher Tara Kraft.  Co-author Sarah Pressman added “the next time you are stuck in traffic or are experiencing some other type of stress, you might try to hold your face in a smile for a moment. Not only will it help you ‘grin and bear it’ psychologically, but it might actually help your heart health as well.”

At StoneRidge Dental Care we’ve always known how powerful a smile can be. Unfortunately, some folks hate their smiles so much that they avoid smiling and laughing or cover their mouth when in public. This is not a healthy or happy way to live life. If nature didn’t provide you with the smile you’ve always wanted then it is time to make a change. Cosmetic dentistry using porcelain veneers can dramatically alter your smile – we can even provide “Instant Orthodontics” that make a crooked smile look like you’ve worn braces for years!

Please contact Gahanna, OH cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your cosmetic dentistry consultation. We are also happy to give second opinions regarding planned cosmetic dental procedures.