It’s National Smile Month (May 19 – June 19), and the spotlight is on the UK’s teeth and gums. This massive oral health campaign by the British Dental Foundation aims to get everyone thinking about their oral health. The campaign has 3 key messages:
A smile is a wonderful and powerful thing. Here are some interesting facts about smiling that may surprise you:
Research shows we have 19 different types of smiles. Some are “social” or “polite” smiles that use fewer facial muscles. But sincere smiles that we “feel” engage muscles on both sides of the face.
Babies have to learn lots of social behaviours. But smiling is one ability we’re all born with. Scientists believe that babies smile for real at around 4 to 6 weeks old. But all babies start smiling in their sleep from birth.
We smile more when we’re around other people. Smiling is contagious. So the saying, “smile and the world smiles with you” is rooted in fact.
Experts at Wayne University in Michigan, USA studied baseball cards and ranked players by their laughter lines and smiles. When compared to the lifespans of the players, they found that those with the biggest grins lived on average 7 years longer than the “non-smilers.”
We may get annoyed if someone tells us to “turn that smile upside down” when we’re not in the mood. But taking this advice will make us feel better. Psychologists found that forcing ourselves to smile boosts our mood.
If you’d like information on how Bridge Dental & Implant Clinic can help you improve your smile, please get in touch.
