The Science of The Smile

We are Programmed for Positivity

In the classic Broadway musical, “Annie”, there is one particular song that includes the refrain, “You’re never fully dressed without a smile”. As it turns out, those songwriters knew a thing or two about human nature. We all like seeing people smiling. It lifts our mood knowing others are in a good mood. Why? Because smiling actually makes us feel good. You see, when our brains feel happy, endorphins are produced and neuronal signals are transmitted to your facial muscles to trigger a smile. And vice versa. When our smiling muscles contract, they fire a signal back to the brain, stimulating our reward system, and further increasing our level of positive hormones, or endorphins. In short, when our brain feels happy, we smile. And when we smile, our brain feels happier. Is smiling really contagious? Studies have found that it is difficult to keep a long face when you look at people who are smiling at you. Seeing people smile stimulates our mirror neurons to stimulate our facial muscle control, and trigger a smile. So it really is true… smiling is contagious! If you are one of many people who want to smile more, but feel self-conscious due to periodontal (gum disease) or missing teeth, we have a solution. Contact the experts at The Wagner Centre and let us help you pass along smiles you’ll be proud of. Our team will explain your options and ensure that your experience is stress-free. So lose that frown, make an appointment and let us get you smiling again. It’s positively life changing!