Blog Layout

The Power of a Healthy Smile

What is the very first thing you notice about meeting a new person? It’s not the outfit they’re wearing or color of their hair. Surprisingly, a smile is one of the most important characteristics for helping your brain distinguish faces from one another.


Behavioral psychologists are continuing to find evidence that the human smile is more than a simple facial expression. It actually influences our health, social interactions, and even emotional responses. The bridge between dentistry and behavioral psychology is therefore becoming narrower everyday. As it turns out, they both influence one another drastically.


Let’s break down some of the numbers:


  • About 25% of people say that a smile is the most prominent feature they remember when meeting a new person.
  • 63% of respondents claim that people look best in photos when they show their teeth. (Only 23% say that people look better with a closed smile).
  • 74% say that an unattractive smile may reduce your chances of getting a job.
  • An old adage says that people who smile often can boost their life expectancy by 7 years. This is said to be due in part by heightened endorphin production and increased immune responses every time you smile.
  • The average child smiles 200-300 times a day. On the other hand, the average adult smiles only 20 times a day.
  • As much as 1/3 of children have dental anxiety. In other words, they show extreme anxiety before routine dentist visits.


Clearly, a smile becomes a defining characteristic of who you are. The last statistic listed above speaks volumes – more and more children are scared to visit the dentist. What’s worse is that kids aged 6-11 have some of the highest levels of untreated cavities. When you pair dental anxiety with irregular brushing habits, then we are left with a troubling outcome: children simply don’t feel comfortable with their own smile.


Children with unhealthy teeth can become increasingly nervous and anxious about showing off their smile. Especially in elementary and middle school, unwelcome bullies might bring attention to other children’s less than perfect teeth, making the victim even more self-conscious about their smile.


As a pediatric dentist, we believe that children should never feel embarrassed to show off their teeth. In fact, a healthy smile should be a huge confidence-booster for all children and adolescents. Regular dental hygiene and dentist visits can go a long way in making your child feel confident and happy with their own teeth.


When it comes down to it, the power of a child’s smile is what makes pediatric dentistry so rewarding. Building confidence for a lifetime is what healthy teeth are all about and kids should know from a young age that their smile is one of the brightest aspects. Talk with your child today about keeping their teeth and gums healthy, then schedule an appointment with a local children’s dentist like All Stars Pediatric Dentistry today.


When to see Dentist
08 Jan, 2024
Discover the importance of early dental care for your child. Learn when to start with a pediatric dentist for a lifetime of healthy smiles with All Stars Pediatric Dentistry.
Newborn / Baby Oral Care
By All Stars Pediatric Dentistry 31 Aug, 2023
Ensuring that your baby is receiving the best newborn oral care is important to keeping them healthy. That’s why All Stars Pediatric Dentistry has compiled this list of tips to keep their smiles beautiful!
Peditric Dental x-rays
By All Stars Pediatric Dentistry 26 Jun, 2023
Have you ever wondered if a pediatric dental X ray is safe for your kid? The good news is that it is! Make your appointment with All Stars Pediatric today to learn more.
How Important Are Braces?
By debbie 22 Mar, 2023
Having braces is a common period of most teens' lives, but how important are these appliances for your teen? The experts at All-Stars weigh in.
What to Expect During Teething
23 Dec, 2022
Teething and figuring out dental care for infants is one of the trickiest times in a new parent’s life. Luckily, the experts at All Stars can help.
Pediatric Dentist
By All Stars Pediatric Dentistry 22 Sep, 2022
A toothache can be a real pain, but it is not always a cause for alarm. Here are the most common causes of toothaches and what you can do about them.
All Stars Pediatric Dentistry
By All Stars Pediatric Dentistry 14 Jul, 2022
Losing a permanent tooth is never normal, but a dentist can always help. Read to find out what you should do when your child loses an adult tooth.
Toothaches in Children
By debbie 15 Dec, 2021
Every child will have toothaches. For those occasions, try these at home remedies to make them feel better.
Children's Dentist Near Me
23 Sep, 2021
When baby teeth start coming in, there will be crying, teething, and teeth grinding. However, you’ll find that many of these experiences are normal. Learn more!
teeth grinding
22 Jun, 2021
Are you hearing a grinding noise coming from your child when they sleep? Your child may be suffering from Bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding.
More Posts
Share by: