We’ve all heard statements like “Smile – it improves your face value.” Or “You’re never fully dressed without a smile.” The truth is smiling has lots of benefits to your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
Consider these reasons to flash people your pearly lights a little more often:
- It’s contagious. Have you ever noticed that when someone smiles, it lights up a room? People are drawn to the positive energy created by a warm, inviting smile.
- Smiling lifts your mood. When you feel sad or unhappy, try smiling. This technique can help you trick your body and mind into having a more positive attitude.
- You can relieve stress by smiling. Often, fear, concern, and worry show through our facial expressions. The simple act of smiling can ease tension and help you focus on taking necessary action.
- Give your immune system a boost. People often smile when they feel more relaxed, which may help explain why smiling improves the function of your immune system. An active immune system fights off illness and keeps you healthy.
- Look younger with a smile. The muscles involved when you smile actually lift the face, which contributes to a youthful appearance. Who needs plastic surgery? Just try smiling more frequently.
- Your blood pressure will be lower. If you have a blood pressure cuff at home or the next time you go to the grocery store, try this simple test. Take a reading, wait a few minutes, start smiling, and then take another reading. Could you see a difference?
- Smiling Releases Natural Pain Killers. Consider smiling nature’s drug because it releases endorphins, serotonin, and pain killers that make people feel better.
Let us give you something to smile about at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dentistry – Toronto Dental Office – Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
From time to time, most people will clench or grind their teeth. If you consistently grind your teeth, damage can occur and you may develop other oral health problems as well. An estimated 20 percent of the population has bruxism, the term used to describe frequent teeth grinding. In the past, bruxism was thought to be caused by a malocclusion, or bad bite, but research indicates that stress and anxiety may play an even larger role. Certain medications can also increase the chances of teeth grinding.
Because teeth grinding often occurs during sleep, many people don’t even realize they have this problem. Often, individuals will notice common side effects such as headaches and sore jaws without making the connection. In some cases, friends and loved one may point out the teeth grinding. Bruxism can occur in children as well as in adults.
It’s important to remedy teeth grinding as soon as you realize the problem. Teeth grinding can result in uneven tooth wear, broken fillings, nerve damage, gum recession, and even loose teeth. Your orthodontist or dentist can perform a full evaluation to look for signs of bruxism and assess how much damage has occurred to your teeth.
If your doctor determines that bruxism is a problem, several treatments are available to curtail this problem, including:
- A custom mouthguard to prevent grinding during sleep
- Medication adjustments as directed by your physician
- Orthodontic treatment to correct bite issues
- Restorative work to repair teeth
- Stress management techniques
Making you smile at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dentistry – Toronto Canada Dental Office
Electric toothbrushes have gained popularity, but many people wonder if they are really worth the added trouble and expense. Although both electronic and manual toothbrushes have their positives and negatives, the best toothbrush is the one you will remember to use. Most dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day to maintain optimal oral health.
If you decide to opt for an electric toothbrush, the biggest drawback is the expense. You can buy battery-operated versions at the local drugstore for under $10, but the higher quality models can run up to a couple hundred dollars. With the electric toothbrush, you can achieve a deeper cleaning, which improves your dental health. Patients who are prone to plaque and tartar build up may prefer an electric toothbrush. Because the electric models get between teeth and are better at removing stains, electric toothbrushes may help people attain fresher breath and a whiter smile. Certain electric toothbrushes also have a built-in timer so that you can be sure to brush for at least two minutes, the recommended time period.
For those who love a manual toothbrush, this version is not without its own merits. The cost is significantly less, not just in the initial purchase but in the replacement costs as well. Many people will replace their toothbrushes more frequently with manual toothbrushes, cutting down on the spread of germs and bacteria. Manual toothbrushes are also much easier to travel with because you don’t have to remember a charger or worry about packing batteries. Individuals who are sensitive to noise and/or vibration will likely prefer the manual version as well.
We care about your oral health at Dr. Yolanda Cruz Dentistry – Toronto Canada Dentist
For years, research has supported the benefits of an occasional glass of red wine to your heart health. Now, studies in Italy have shown that red wine may help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. These findings suggest that certain chemicals in red wine inhibit the growth of bacteria and limit inflammation.
Found in other foods such as chocolate and apples, chemicals in red wine called proanthocyanidins have antioxidant properties. These proanthocyanidins seem to stop the Streptococcus mutans bacteria, some of the main causes of tooth decay, from developing on teeth. The Italian researchers actually took the alcohol from a high-quality Italian red wine, then added the nonalcoholic red wine to cultures of the bacteria in saliva, extracted teeth coated with saliva, and saliva-coated calcium ceramic beads. Their results showed that adding the wine prevented the bacteria from sticking to the saliva and the teeth.
Another study performed at Cornell University indicated that polyphenols, or chemicals in grape seeds and red wine that help limit the impact of damaging free radicals in the body, also reduce inflammation caused by gingivitis, bacterial infections found in the gums. Currently, no one has looked into the whether or not white wine has any oral health benefits, but the high acidity of white wine might make it a less favorable choice.
Approximately one out of four American adults has some form of gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to bone degeneration and tooth loss. As well, gum disease has been linked to more serious health problems such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and complications with diabetes.
Dr. Yolanda Cruz – Toronto Dentist
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