Think for a moment about one of the world’s most famous paintings— the Mona Lisa. The detail and artistry of the piece are impressive, of course; but what is really unique about this painting is the model’s subtle, mysterious smile. That slight smile, along with the knowing look in the Mona Lisa’s eyes, has fascinated artists and art enthusiasts for decades. Discover some interesting facts about the way a smile, seen or experienced, affects the human brain and a person’s mood.

Smile Power

A smile has power. Depending on a person’s smile, you may feel more inclined to trust or like him. A smile shows politeness, friendliness, or good feeling. According to scientist Andrew Newberg, the smile is a symbol “rated with the highest positive emotional content.”

The Brain’s Response

Did you know that your brain actually reacts when you smile? If you see an old friend, a positive signal flashes through your brain, triggering your facial muscles to contract in a smile. From that action, more positive signals flow back to the brain, so you feel additional pleasure at the encounter.

Positivity Rewarded

Studies show that smiling activates the brain’s reward centers, similar to the way that exercise does. It has an even more powerful effect than chocolate, which is well-known for its mood-boosting effect. The more you experience the urge to smile in a genuine way, the more positive feedback your brain gets, and the more your mood improves overall.

Fake Vs. Genuine Smiles

Your brain also knows the difference between a genuine smile and a fake, polite smile. The fake social smile doesn’t activate all the muscle groups that a genuine smile does. So your brain doesn’t have the same positive reaction when you’re faking it; and you may also be able to tell whether someone else’s smile is real or not. Humans tend to mimic each other’s facial expressions, so a fake smile from one individual will tend to generate a fake smile in the other.

Smile Practice

Practicing your smile can actually make it better and more appealing to others. Take a look in the mirror and try out some different smiles. Is your natural smile too wide? Too tight? Too crooked? Perhaps it looks forced, not genuine. Work on developing an easy, natural smile for everyday use. You can even get some honest feedback about your smile from a trusted friend or family member.

Common Problems

Maybe your dislike of your smile stems from something physical, like a gap, crooked teeth, stained teeth, or an awkward bite. Perhaps people are having a less than positive reaction to you because of yellowed, tilted, protruding, or missing teeth in your smile. You don’t have to live with this situation. All you need is the assistance of a highly trained dentist in Singapore.

Smile Makeovers in Singapore

A good Singapore dental clinic should have plenty of services available to help you improve your smile. Whether you’re interested in dental implants in Singapore or just whitening and Invisalign treatment services, Orchard Scotts Dental has the equipment and experience to perfect your teeth. Call today and set up your appointment with a Singapore dentist who can do your smile makeover. For the rest of your life, you’ll be glad that you invested the extra time and money in your smile.

Source: Blog Buffer (9 April 2013)