Are you happy with your smile? Do you like to show it off to others? Does it help you feel confident and comfortable? If so, you may also find that it helps to improve your mood and behavior. Because of its positive effects, dentists throughout the country are celebrating World Smile Day on October 4. Discover the meaning behind this unique holiday and what you can do to help someone else feel the same joy with a simple smile.
Who Started World Smile Day?
Artist Harvey Ball is the reason World Smile Day exists. It started with the idea of creating a smiley face – an image that would promote kindness and generosity to all individuals, no matter their race, ethnicity, gender or location.
Over the years, the image became widely used by corporations and businesses, and its original meaning began to slowly deteriorate. However, in the late 1990s, Ball established World Smile Day to bring back the reason for the design – to foster peace and love.
How Does Smiling Improve Overall Health?
Smiling is known for its positive benefits. Not only is it considered contagious, but it can also improve your mood and generate more pleasant thoughts.
The art of smiling actually causes endorphins to be released within the brain, resulting in feelings of pleasure. The more you do it, the greater your chances of being more productive at work, building healthy relationships with family, friends, and colleagues and relieving stress.
Some research indicates smiling can help you live longer. In 2016, a Norwegian study found women who possessed a strong sense of humor had an extended lifespan as opposed to those who did not. Some of the statistics showed they were 73% less likely to succumb to heart disease and 83% less likely to pass away from an infection.
Smiling is often associated with laughter – another positive action that helps lower stress, effectively reducing high blood pressure and heart rate. When combined, the two can create the opportunity for greater happiness.
How Can I Celebrate World Smile Day?
If you want to make sure that you do your part on World Smile Day, below are a few ideas to consider when looking to make a difference this year:
- Make sure you’re taking care of your smile by practicing a good oral hygiene routine each day and seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Also, visit your orthodontist to ensure your smile is on the right track.
- Offer to pay for someone’s meal who may be homeless or unable to afford food for themselves.
- Donate clothes that can benefit someone in need.
- Volunteer to help individuals learn to read.
- Spend time visiting the elderly residents in a nursing home.
No matter how you choose to spend your time this World Smile Day, make sure that the confidence you feel in your own grin radiates to those around you.
About the Practice
Webster Lake Dental consists of two dentists – Dr. Harith Kamil and Dr. Noosha Khadivi – who care deeply about improving patient oral health as well as giving back to the community. As part of the Simply Doing Good initiative, we work with other dental professionals throughout New England to spread smiles far and wide. Whether it’s collecting school supplies for area students and teachers, supporting local sports teams and organizations or sponsoring groups like Toys for Tots, we aim to help others smile every day. Contact us via the website or call (508) 943-8111 to learn more about us.