Category: Smile Makeover

The Health Benefits of Teeth Straightening: How a Straighter Smile Improves Oral Health

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A straight, beautiful smile is not only an aesthetic goal; it plays a major role in your overall oral health as well. If you have crooked teeth, at Eccleshill Dental Bradford we have teeth straightening options available to get you on the road to a healthier, beautiful smile. But how does this prescribing of dental straightening improve your oral health? Let’s explore!

The Health Benefits of Teeth Straightening for a Better Smile_Eccleshill Dental

Why Teeth Straightening Matters

Most people believe that teeth straightening is only for visual appeal. Still, well-aligned teeth are key to avoiding oral health problems like cavities, gum disease and jaw pain. Fun Fact: The American Dental Association even found that crooked teeth can cause an increased risk of plaque build ups and dental decay.

  • Simplified Cleaning and Lower Risk of Cavity

Crooked or crowded teeth leave tight spaces that are hard to keep clean and cause plaque to build up, increasing the risk of cavities. The alignment of your teeth ensures you can effectively brush and floss.

  • Lower Risk of Gum Disease

This makes gum disease more common, and gum disease occurs when bacteria builds up on the teeth and causes inflammation. Straightening the teeth minimises inflammation and the accumulation of harmful bacteria, resulting in less likely cases of gingivitis and periodontitis.

  • Better Chewing and Digestion

Misaligned teeth can lead to chewing difficulty, further leading to indigestion problems. Having straight teeth also makes it easier to break food down and process food more optimally, which in turn helps improve overall digestive health.

Also Read: Your Path to a Brighter Smile: Teeth Whitening Options for New Clients

  • Less Jaw Pain and Headaches

When your teeth are not positioned correctly, it can cause your bite to be misaligned, causing strain on the jaw and recurrent headaches. Dental straightening options will assist with closing gaps, protecting the jaw from excessive stresses and helping prevent TMJ (temporomandibular joint) conditions.

  • Reduced Risk of Tooth Erosion and Fractures

If teeth are not properly aligned, some teeth sit under more pressure than others causing excessive wear, cracks or fracture. The options to straighten teeth help distribute the pressure of the bite evenly, leading to a lesser chance of long-lasting damage.

The Best Teeth Straightening Options in the UK

Thanks to modern advancements in dentistry, there are several teeth straightening options available today. Whether you need a subtle adjustment or a complete transformation, Eccleshill Dental offers personalized solutions.

The Health Benefits of Teeth Straightening for a Better Smile_Eccleshill Dental1

1. Clear Aligners (Invisalign or SPARK)

  • Nearly invisible
  • Comfortable and removable
  • Ideal for mild to moderate misalignment cases

2. Traditional Braces

  • Effective for severe misalignment
  • Provides precise adjustments
  • Suitable for all age groups

3. Ceramic Braces

  • Less noticeable than metal braces
  • Ideal for those who want a discreet option

4. Retainers

  • Used post-treatment to maintain alignment (removable or fixed)
  • Prevents teeth from shifting back

Looking for the best teeth straightening in the UK? Schedule a consultation at Eccleshill Dental today!

The Effect of Teeth Straightening on Your Smile

Having straight teeth helps not only with oral health, but also boosts self-esteem. Patients who have their teeth straightened and whitened often report a new boost in self-image and social interactions.

  • A More Attractive Smile

A straight smile improves facial aesthetics and can make you look younger and healthier. One common reason for a perfect smile is people make positive first impressions.

  • Boosted Self-Confidence

People who have misaligned teeth may feel self-conscious about their smile. Once your teeth get straightened, insecurities get resolved, and this, in turn, enhances confidence.

Also Read: Why Gum Health Is Important and How to Maintain It

  • Better Speech Clarity

Do you realise that misaligned teeth can influence speech? Well-aligned teeth promote clear pronunciation, helping to speak more fluently and improving communications.

  • Benefits of oral health in the long run

Well-aligned teeth are less likely to decay, chip, or wear unevenly, which means le​ss of a risk of needing costly dental procedures down the line.

Want to know how to get the perfect smile in Bradford? Reach out to us today to discuss teeth straightening options!

The Ultimate Smile Makeover with ABC: Align, Bleach, Composite

Achieve the perfect smile with ABC—Align, Bleach, Composite, the ultimate combination for a stunning transformation. Straight teeth are not only aesthetically pleasing but also easier to clean, making whitening treatments more effective after alignment. By incorporating composite enhancements, you can refine and perfect your smile like never before.

The Power of Align, Bleach, and Composite

Combining teeth straightening, whitening, and composite enhancements offers a complete smile makeover:

  • Enhanced Aesthetics – Achieve a brighter, straighter, and more harmonious smile.
    Prevents Staining & Discoloration – Properly aligned teeth reduce plaque buildup, improving whitening results.
  • Long-Term Oral Health – Straighter teeth make daily cleaning easier, reducing the risk of decay and gum disease.
  • Refined, Polished Finish – Composite bonding can perfect any remaining imperfections such as chipping or round edges for a flawless look.

Maintaining Your ABC Smile

  • Daily Oral Care: Brush and floss consistently to prevent staining and maintain results.
  • Regular Check-Ups: Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and adjustments.
  • Retainers for Alignment: Keep your teeth in place post-treatment for lasting perfection.

Transform your smile with the power of Alignment, Bleaching and Composite—the ultimate trio for confidence and beauty!

Ready for the best teeth whitening and straightening treatment? Get a full smile makeover at Eccleshill Dental.

Types of Teeth Straightening Methods in the UK

The best place for teeth straightening is Eccleshill Dental. With the latest tools at their disposal and the support of our expert team, we deliver technology, custom treatment plans, and individual care to deliver the best possible outcomes.

Why Choose Eccleshill Dental?

✔ Straighten teeth in dentists 

✔ All aspect of treatment tailored to your needs 

✔ High-tech dental solutions 

✔ Reasonable and budget options including 0% finance 

✔ Full aftercare

Start your journey on the path to a healthy, straight smile. Get your booking for dental straightening consultation now!

Conclusion

Investing in teeth straightening is not just about aesthetics—it’s about improving your oral health and quality of life. Whether you choose clear aligners, braces or a full smile makeover the benefits of teeth alignment extend beyond a beautiful smile.

At Eccleshill Dental, we’re committed to helping you achieve the perfect smile with the best teeth straightening options in the UK. Contact us today to start your journey toward a healthier, more confident you!

Achieve Your Dream Smile: All You Need to Know about Smile Makeovers

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A smile makeover is a collective term for one or more cosmetic dentistry procedures, aimed at improving the overall quality of the teeth and gums, which helps the patient achieve an attractive smile. These may include orthodontics, composite bonding, dental veneers, teeth whitening, tooth implants, among several other cosmetic and facial treatment procedures.

Smile correction in Bradford takes into account several factors, like teeth colour, teeth width, teeth, length, teeth shape and tooth display), as well as skin tone, facial appearance, lips, lips and gum tissue. Often tailored to achieve specific results, smile makeovers are performed for a variety of reasons.

Is there something you dislike or like about your smile?

Your smile makeover dentist will sit with you to assess varied aspects of your smile that might be enhanced, including the following:

Tooth Colour:

Composite restorations with tooth-coloured material can be used instead of amalgam or silver dental fillings. Additionally, the appearance of discoloured or stained teeth can be enhanced with teeth whitening. Tooth colour and shade are key factors to consider for the evaluation and preparation for relevant smile restoration procedures that may include dental crowns, porcelain veneers, composite bonding, dental implants and bridges.

Dark or discoloured teeth may indicate an aged mouth, whereas a shapely smile showcasing bright, white teeth make for a youthful look. The shade selected by your smile makeover dentist for veneers and teeth whitening is based on the colour and hue of your facial skin and hair. Smile correction dentists are expert at providing you with a beautifully whiter smile while maintaining the natural colour of your teeth.

Alignment and Spacing:

Teeth that are either overlapping or crooked, or with gaps between them can be aligned and straightened via Invisalign or orthodontics procedures, which can further be enhanced using veneers.

Missing Teeth:

One or more missing teeth can significantly ruin your smile. Moreover, it can raise your risk for tooth decay and may impact your bite too. This makes replacement a key component of smile makeovers in Bradford and overall oral health. Dental implants, partial dentures and dental bridges are common tooth replacement options.

Balance and Harmony:

Cosmetic bonding can be used to improve the appearance of chipped, cracked or uneven teeth. Similarly, gum reshaping near you can help correct a gummy smile.

Fuller Cheeks, Lips and Smile:

As part of the smile makeover, an ageing face can be revived with specific procedures, such as oral maxillofacial surgery and/or orthodontics.

A smile makeover dentist will collaborate with you to come up with a tailored treatment plan to help you achieve exactly what you want. It may include several restorative and cosmetic procedures, such as composite bonding, teeth whitening, dental veneers, orthodontics (braces), dental crowns, etc.

Also Read: How Do Teeth Stain and How Do You Get Rid of Badly Stained Teeth?

Aesthetic Components of a Smile Makeover in Bradford

Apart from the colour, placement, alignment and balance of your teeth smile zone – the visible section of lower and upper teeth when you smile – there are some aspects of your teeth that your smile makeover dentist in Bradford will assess while planning your smile correction. These include:

Tooth Length:

Undoubtedly, long teeth signify a youthful smile. Ageing-related wear and tear often leads to reduced teeth size. Plus, a gummy smile can make teeth appear shorter. A shorter teeth treatment may include teeth reshaping and lengthening the two central teeth with porcelain veneers and composite bonding. For a gummy smile, your smile restoration dentist may suggest treatments to fix the gum line as well as recommend laser dentistry procedures for lengthening the appearance of the teeth. If required, they may refer you to a periodontist to lengthen your crown. These can help improve the overall appearance of your face. For instance, well-shaped, long teeth can make a round face appear slimmer.

Smile Line:

It is an unreal line that runs along the borders of your upper teeth from one side to another. Ideally, it should be the same as your lower lip curve while smiling. It is generally used as a reference by smile correction dentists to figure out the ideal length of your new teeth.

Tooth Proportions:

Your Bradford smile makeover dentist will analyse your teeth to find out whether or not they are in the right proportion, compared to each other.A beautiful smile is usually considered one with two dominant central teeth and a width to length ratio of 4:5. This directs the width and length of other teeth within the aesthetic region to balance the smile line. ideal perfect teeth shape, teeth contouring, teeth reshaping, wedding smile makeover, cosmetic and facial treatment

Tooth Texture and Characterisation:

Your Bradford dentist can give a character to your veneers or crowns for creating a more masculine (or feminine) look, besides matching the appearance of your natural teeth.

Also Read: Tips and Tricks to Take Care of Dental Implants

Maintaining Your Results

Smile makeover procedures need routine oral hygiene and maintenance. For instance, to maintain the brightness of teeth, the teeth whitening procedure must be repeated. Likewise, broken or chipped porcelain veneers also need to be replaced. Similarly, stained permanent composite bonding may need replacement or enhancement, and dental crowns need to be replaced after 10-15 years.

The materials used for the wedding smile makeover procedures affect the longevity of the smile makeover. Therefore, for best results, choose your dentist mindfully and enquire about smile restoration material options.

Remember that prior to developing a customised smile correction plan, your smile makeover dentist will evaluate your oral health. Your dentist will check your gums, teeth, bite (occlusion) and support structure to understand the scope for smile restoration. If the dentist finds an oral health issue, such as gum disease or malocclusion (misaligned bite), the problem must be addressed before the smile makeover in Bradford.

At Eccleshill Dental, we offer highly professional and tailored smile makeover solutions, including teeth straightening, teeth whitening, composite bonding, dental implants, veneers and crowns.

Book an appointment with us today for an initial consultation to discuss your smile-specific goals and understand your smile makeover options.

Tooth Whitening – What Works and What Doesn’t?

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Tooth whitening is a cosmetic treatment which is used to improve the smile aesthetically. A brighter and whiter smile is appealing to the public as it is known that the eyes and the smile are the first thing a person looks at. There are many different types of methods for tooth whitening, some better than others, some even illegal.

Whats the deal about whitening toothpaste?

Whitening tooth paste for big named brands is used to promote business and selling, as no toothpaste will whiten your teeth like in house dental tooth whitening or laser whitening. So you could say it’s a slight gimmick to boost sales. Whitening tooth paste is known to brighten teeth by removing stains, but not actually improving the colour of the teeth. Their abrasive texture dislodges some stains making them appear cleaner and brighter.


The new craze – charcoal toothpaste.  

Charcoal toothpaste has been floating around social media quite a lot recently and is now sold across many supermarkets and high street stores. I can assure you that charcoal toothpaste will only give similar affects as whitening toothpaste, stain removal and brightening the smile. Except that they have a very low concentration of fluoride, if any. This can actually be more clinically harmful as fluoride strengthens the teeth which is why it is included in toothpastes and mouthwashes, I’m sure you can imagine why a toothpaste without it would not be beneficial.

Also Read: 4 Ways Your Dental Care is More Affordable Than You Think

Home Remedies.

Home remedies like bicarbonate soda and banana peels won’t make a massive difference in terms of wanting to gain that Hollywood smile.  These are made up methods of whitening teeth which not only can be harmful but essentially are a waste of time. Some stain removal can be seen by using bicarbonate soda but using imagine using an abrasive powder against you teeth 2-3 times a day, this can create notches, recession and even tooth surface loss exposing the dentine from underneath the enamel, which is actually more yellow in colour so it defeats the point of using a tooth whitener.

What about / UV whitening and ordering from online. 

Please BE CAREFUL when ordering whitening gels and systems from online as it is not legal to prescribe gels at a high percentage online, the only people who are legally allowed to sell higher percentages is dental practitioners with a GDC registration number. The risks of UV whitening and online whitening gels are very high which can lead to severe sensitivity, soft tissue burns or even nerve damage to the tooth. I would recommend seeing a specialist for tooth whitening to be on the safe side and please please do your research.

The big debate. Beautician and in-salon whitening.  

Lots of beauticians offer tooth whitening. However, this in some cases is illegal as they have not had the official training like a dental professional has had and they are not registered under the GDC to be  legally allowed to prescribe dental tooth whitening. In some circumstances beauticians may feel like that have had in depth training through courses they have been on but they have not had 5 years studying the mouth like a dental professional. Also, if a something happens during the treatment the insurance will not cover for any damage done during the whitening procedure, which is not ideal as you or the beautician are not covered for any problems which may occur. In some cases beauticians do provide tooth whitening but this is a weaker solution and therefore you wouldn’t get the results that you aspire for.

Also Read: How To Find The Right Dental Practice For You

Dental Whitening and why we advise it.  

Dental professionals have had the correct training to know the mouth inside and out, which is why they are the best people to approach regarding whitening. At Eccleshill dental we offer two different systems, Enlighten and Boutique. Enlighten is actually the Gold standard system and it is promised that you will see a great improving across the shade guide.

With dental whitening it is the most effective way to improve your smile without causing any tooth damage. In most cases tooth whitening actually masks initial problems that patients present with. So in this way it is the most  cost effective as you only have to ever buy it once and only need to top it up every couple of years and this is if you feel they have slightly faded but will never return to original shade.

So why not come and try out our Whitening Wednesdays for 20% off when two or more people book in!

The Real Cost of NOT Replacing a Missing Tooth

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Most people are aware that missing teeth make us appear older, but have you ever wondered about the health implications of not replacing a missing tooth? According to a study conducted by the University College London and Harvard University, the average Briton is missing 6.97 teeth, and an enormous 74% of adults in the UK have had a dental extraction. Tooth loss occurs for a variety of different reasons, including decay, infection, wear, trauma, and gum disease. Whatever the reason for tooth loss, the impact on your life is often significant.

In addition to the common concerns about appearance, there are other real issues and dangers present if you decide not to replace a missing tooth. We’ve compiled a list of potential risks to help you better understand the importance of replacing your missing tooth:

  1. Bone Loss

One of the most significant risks related to not replacing a missing tooth is bone loss (bone resorption). Bone loss occurs after a tooth is lost or removed because the roots of the tooth are no longer embedded into the jawbone, leaving a void. Over time, resorption will occur and the jawbone will begin to deteriorate. If the missing tooth is not replaced, as your jawbone begins to be affected, you will notice that your face shape will gradually change, and your lips may appear asymmetrical and sunken. Unfortunately, bone resorption doesn’t only impact the tooth that’s missing, but puts you at risk of losing neighboring teeth as well. By not immediately replacing a missing tooth, the ability to provide a successful denture, bridge, or implant is often compromised due to the loss of bone.

Also Read: Braces: How Old Is Too Old?

  1. Drifting Teeth

If lost teeth are not immediately replaced, this can have a detrimental effect on surrounding teeth.  The opposing teeth are most likely to be affected, and will continue to drift or move until there is an equal and opposing force.  They might even drift and touch the opposing gums where the extracted teeth once were. Drifting teeth may cause your bite to change, leading to muscle soreness and Temporo-Mandibular Joint Dysfunction (issues with your jaw joint).

  1. Tooth Wear

In an attempt to avoid biting and chewing in the area where a tooth or teeth are missing, you will most likely begin overusing other teeth when eating. For example, if a tooth or teeth were extracted on the right side of your mouth, you would begin eating on the left side of your mouth. Uneven chewing forces cause excessive wear, and can lead to further tooth loss.

  1. Reduced Ability to Speak Clearly and Eat Certain Foods

A serious risk of not replacing a missing tooth, is a reduced ability to speak clearly and eat certain food types. Depending on which tooth or teeth are missing, it may become difficult to bite and chew certain foods. Eventually, this can lead to diminished health and poor nutrition. If certain teeth are missing (such as the ones at the front) it can also impact your ability to speak properly. Pronouncing certain words can be difficult, and you may develop a lisp.

Also Read: 4 Ways Your Dental Care is More Affordable Than You Think

  1. Reduced Self-Esteem

Whilst the examples above are all tangible effects of a missing tooth, there are intangible effects of a missing tooth which are present, and can impact your life in severe ways. If a missing tooth can be seen when you smile, speak, or eat, you may start to avoid doing any of these activities in public. This can have a detrimental effect on your social life, your job, and relationships. Depending on your age, career path, and relationship status, the cost of a missing tooth throughout your lifetime can really add up if you’re not confident to smile, speak, or eat in front of other people.

Options and Solutions

Whilst the potential risks of not replacing a missing tooth or teeth are great, we are fortunate enough to live in a society where options for replacements are readily available. There are several options to consider, including dentures, dental bridges, and the most popular and durable option – dental implants.

At Eccleshill Dental, we are proud to have helped many patients replace missing teeth, and regain their confidence. If you would like some friendly, confidential advice on the options and costs involved, telephone the practice on 01274 633406 to book a complimentary consultation with our patient care coordinator.

Together, let’s find your smile.

How To Find The Right Dental Practice For You

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Bradford and Leeds are fortunate enough to have many dental practices. But with so many dentists and options,

how do you know which Bradford and Leeds dental practice is right for you?

There is no definitive answer to this question, and as individuals, we all have different needs. A cosmetic dental practice might be a great option for someone looking for a Hollywood smile, but is this dental practice suitable for an anxious patient who is concerned about a broken tooth?

We have put together a list of useful tips on how to find the best dentist for you. Whilst there is no magic solution to this question, these tools will help you narrow the list and make an informed decision.

Tips for choosing the best Bradford and Leeds dentist for you:

  1. Set Priorities

Before selecting your dentist, think about what you want out of the experience, and what matters most to you. What is an absolute priority to one patient, is not necessarily to the next. Things you might want to consider might be proximity, opening times and appointment availability. Consider what treatments you are interested in: are you looking for cosmetic treatment, or a family friendly practice for you and your children? Many practices combine a variety of services, but working out exactly what you want to gain from your dental experience is an excellent starting point.

  1. Cost and Payment Options

For many people, the deciding factor in selecting a dental practice is affordability. With limited access to NHS dental places, and an ever increasing number of people turning to private dentistry, a large majority us opt for the most affordable option. What many patients don’t realise, is both the affordability and value available in private dentistry. Some practices offer membership plans which create huge savings, and allow you to plan for your future dental needs. At Eccleshill Dental, we offer membership plans for as little as £12.99 per month. Our plans give you access to 17-point dental health checks, plaque control, prevention and hygiene appointments, priority appointments, and worldwide dental emergency assistance (along with an additional 20% discount from any required treatment). 0% finance options, and tailored payment plans are also available for patients wishing to undertake larger treatment plans, but wanting to spread the cost of their treatment into more affordable monthly repayments.

  1. See What Other People Are Saying

Reviews matter. Nearly 90% of internet users say they use online reviews before choosing a business or service. The majority of us rarely book a holiday without first checking Trip Advisor. Dentistry is no different. Read Google reviews, and see what other people are saying about their experiences at a practice you are thinking of joining. Don’t limit your research to reviews alone, use social media to take a look at your potential new practice. This is a great way to see what exciting things are happening within the business, and see how the practice interacts with its patients online.

  1. Try It Out

The best way to assess whether or not a dental practice is right for you, is to try it out for yourself. Many practices offer free consultations, which is a great opportunity to see whether or not the practice is a fit for your needs. A good dental practice will respect your desire to make an informed decision, and there should be no obligation or pressure to come back. At Eccleshill Dental, we offer complimentary consultations with our patient care coordinator, Rachel. This is a relaxed appointment in a comfortable setting, where we learn more about what we can do to help you. You will have the opportunity to look around the practice and learn about the many services available at Eccleshill Dental.


Read Our Reviews

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To book your complimentary consultation, telephone the practice on 01274 633406.

Braces: How Old Is Too Old?

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A question that many patients ask is at what is the best age for braces? Commonly, people assume that the best results are achieved when braces are worn as children. The majority of children who have braces begin treatment between the ages of 10 and 14. At this stage, baby teeth have fallen out and the jaw is stable enough to support long-term orthodontic treatment.

Contrary to what you might think, you are never too old for braces! Many adults don’t have access to orthodontic treatment as children, or delay getting braces for other reasons. Many children are referred for orthodontic treatment, but don’t meet the strict criteria required for treatment on the NHS. Many of these children enter into adulthood feeling conscious of their teeth, but are reluctant to take action on the basis they were rejected for treatment when they were younger. This is a common misconception: no case is too small, and you are never too old to undergo orthodontic treatment. Think of teeth the way you would any other bone on your body. They do stop growing at the end of adolescence, but it’s still possible to correct them throughout your life. Teeth are no different.

Also Read: The Magic In Your Smile: 10 Ways Smiling Benefits Your Health and Happiness

As an adult, you likely already have an established routine that will need to modified to account for braces. You may need to alter your diet, your morning and evening schedules, or carry a toothbrush to work. No matter what changes you need to make, keep in mind that they are short-term sacrifices for long-term gains in confidence and dental health. Wearing braces for a few months can save you from more serious dental issues down the road.

For many people though, the cost of braces, or the expectation of long treatment times can be off-putting. Many adults with families and other financial commitments push aside the thought of orthodontic treatment. After all, if you were rejected for treatment as a child, and you have lived with your teeth for this long, what would be the point?

There are many advantages to undertaking orthodontic treatment in adulthood. As adults, we have more of an appreciation of the dramatic impact of orthodontic treatment on our daily lives. Many adults report that orthodontic treatment improved their confidence, happiness, success at work and in relationships. Short-term, cosmetic orthodontic treatment can be completed in as little as 3 months, and with a variety of payment options, you don’t need to worry about finding the money upfront. Tailored payment plans and finance options allow you to spread the cost of orthodontic treatment, and you could receive the straight smile you’ve dreamed of for as little as £27.20 per month (terms and conditions apply).

Also Read: How To Find The Right Dental Practice For You

Free Orthodontic Consultation

The first step on your journey to a straight smile is to attend for an orthodontic consultation. At Eccleshill Dental, we offer complimentary orthodontic consultations with Rachel, our patient care coordinator. This is a relaxed appointment, where we learn more about what you would like to achieve. We provide information on your treatment options, methods of payment, what to expect from your orthodontic journey, and what your results might look like! This appointment is completely free, and there is no obligation to continue with treatment. Contact the practice on 01274 633406 to book your complimentary orthodontic consultation today.

Together, let’s see what your smile could be!

The Magic In Your Smile: 10 Ways Smiling Benefits Your Health and Happiness

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They say that there is magic in a smile, and we can’t deny the warmth we feel when we’re on the receiving end of a glowing grin. Nonetheless, smiles haven’t always been considered fashionable. A US study reviewing smiles in photographs was carried out by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and Brown. The study showed that in the early 1900’s, smiling was anything but on-trend, with a preference for pensive, serious poses in front of the camera.

 

high-school-yearbook-photos-today-151201-men_dfc129d3757e107d05f180c87b99ca79
(image of smiles from the early 1900’s to 2010’s, taken from the Washington Post)

 

Luckily for us today, a smile is considered our most beautiful asset. Research today indicates that smiling is just plain good for you. And with many a good reason:

1. We all smile in the same language

Smiling is the universal symbol for happiness. Many gestures have different meanings across different societies. However, no matter where you are in the world, a smile is a symbol of warmth.

2. Smiling can extend your life

A 2009 US study into major league baseball players in the 1950’s showed that players who smiled more, lived up to 7 years longer than players who did not. The study conducted by Ernest L. Abel and Michael L. Kruger indicated that people who smiled more, actually lived longer, happier, and more stable lives. Biochemist Sondra Barrett states that when we smile, we reduce the rigidness of our cells, and this physical relaxation can reduce the risk of stress-induced cell mutations that can lead to the development of certain cancers.

Also Read: Achieve Your Dream Smile: All You Need to Know about Smile Makeovers

3. Smiling reduces stress and lowers blood pressure

We are all familiar with the stress life throws at us, and the toll it takes on the human body. Studies have shown that the heart recovers more quickly from stress in subjects that smile, as opposed to subjects that are asked to hold a straight face. So the next time you are feeling your blood boil, remember that a simple smile might the help you were looking for.

4. Smiling can lift your spirits

Many people think that smiling is just a result of being happy. What many of us don’t realise is that smiling can actually make us happier! Our facial expressions do not just communicate our mood, but influence it as well. Recent studies into facial expressions have shown that a person’s mood aligns strongly with the emotion his or her face is communicating. So think happy thoughts, smile, and your mood will smile too.

5. Your smile has the power to heal everyone – not just you!

Smiles are contagious (and no, it’s not just a saying). Research conducted as part of a study in Sweden indicated that people had difficulty frowning when looking at other subjects who were smiling. Many of the subjects’ facial muscles involuntarily formed into a smile. So spread that joy and share a smile today.

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6. You were doing it before you were born

Many babies start smiling regularly at around 6 weeks old, but studies show that smiling begins in the womb. Smiling is in fact hard-wired into our genes, rather than an entirely learned behaviour.

7. Smiling can benefit your career

Facial expressions have a big impact on first and future impressions. This is particularly important in our professional lives. People who smile are more likely to be remembered. Furthermore, the smilers of the workplace are considered more approachable, and have better success in social and professional interactions. So a smile may just be the key to that long sought after promotion!

Also Read: 4 Ways Your Dental Care is More Affordable Than You Think

8. Smiling makes us look younger

Smiling exercises anywhere between 5 and 53 muscles in the face. With all this muscular exertion, the skin stays firm and taut, aiding youthfulness and vitality. Who knew a face lift could be so easy.

9. Smiling makes you seem more approachable and trustworthy

Your smile communicates more than you may realise. An authentic smile goes a long way. A 2004 Penn University study found that authentic smiles shared by employees in the service industry influenced their impressions on customers in a positive way. The study also showed that we are much more likely to trust someone with a smile, than someone with a neutral expression, or worse still – a frowner!

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10. Smiling heals the body and the soul

Endorphins (the feel-good chemicals released by the brain) help us feel better when we are in pain. Studies show that people who smile and laugh experience less pain than those who do not. A further study indicated that people diagnosed with immune diseases showed signs of recovery more quickly when they spent more time laughing and smiling.

We have never felt more like smiling! Don’t let your teeth be a barrier to a happier, healthier life. A smile makeover can help you achieve the smile you have always dreamed of. Let us find your smile!