A smile is more than just the muscles pulling the lips into an arched shape.
A smile can convey a wide array of emotions and expressions.
But did you know that smiling more can also activate your brain’s reward centers and boost your mood? This is what scientists call the “facial feedback hypothesis”. Studies suggest that the physical act of smiling can trigger these reward pathways. These pathways release endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. Endorphins and serotonin have been shown to reduce pain and stress. Dopamine can increase feelings of happiness.
But what if you’re self-conscious about your teeth, and this prevents you from smiling?
Orthodontic treatment can be a great, and minimally invasive, way to enhance your smile. Using carefully planned push-and-pull movements on the teeth, an orthodontist can gently move your teeth into alignment. All individuals can consider getting orthodontic treatment to make this positive change.
With the end of August around the corner, our school-aged kids are the ones who are looking to start the new school year with a positive change.
Studies find that kids, especially teens, can feel a large enhancement in their self-confidence following orthodontic treatment. This boost in self-esteem can carry on into other aspects of life, such as academics and sports. Imagine standing up at the podium giving a class speech and smiling wide for all to see. Or scoring the winning goal and grinning ear-to-ear with the crowd cheering on. Even in moments of solitude, being able to look in the mirror, give yourself a big smile, and then feel like you can take on the day is such a powerful way to motivate yourself to succeed at the goals you set forth for the day.
We here at OrthoWorks strive to not only improve the alignment of your teeth, but also to give you a smile-enhancement that makes you feel proud to show off your smile in the mirror at yourself or on a stage with a crowd. While the jury is still out on how definitive the facial feedback hypothesis is, our patients have provided us with many anecdotes of how their treatment helped to boost self-confidence, boost self-esteem, and in turn improve quality of life.
All happy news for this smiling orthodontist!
To learn more, visit orthoworks.com and schedule a virtual consultation.
WENDY FANG, DDS, MPH
Dr. Fang is a graduate of Stony Brook University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS), and Masters in Public Health (MPH). Following dental school, she went on to earn her Certificate in Orthodontics at Montefiore Medical Center in The Bronx, NY where she was appointed Chief Resident in her third year. Dr. Fang’s dedication to continuing education and passion for dentistry is what allow her to provide an excellent standard of care to patients of all ages. She is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists and is ABO board-certified.
Whilst Dr. Fang is very dedicated to her work and patients, she still finds the time to enjoy the company of family and friends. She is always keen to explore new foodie scenes and adventure out into the world when she gets the chance.
About Orthoworks Invisalign and Orthodontics Group
OrthoWorks Invisalign and Orthodontics Group is the #1 Provider of Invisalign treatments in the San Francisco Bay Area and was founded by Dr. David Shen, who is recognized as one of the top five most experienced Invisalign® doctors in the world and is a member of the Top 1% Elite Provider Club. Dr. Shen and Associates specialize in providing orthodontic care using a variety of techniques including Invisalign® appliances, traditional braces, surgical orthodontics, cleft palate/cleft lips, and sleep apnea. In short, their practice is dedicated to one goal: to create healthy and beautiful smiles for children and adults using the highest quality of orthodontic care available. To achieve this, Orthoworks utilizes the latest technological advancements in the field together with the team’s collective experiences. Over the years, the practice has grown from its original three locations to over ten locations throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, serving over 60,000 orthodontic patients.
