The Physiology of a Smile
Dentistry is very much about smiling, an important aspect of oral healthcare. At Beckham Square Family Dental, we help people with their smiles and work to enhance their overall dental health. Here are some facts you might not know about smiling.
What Makes Up a Smile?
Dr. Nisith Sheth of the British Skin Foundation has examined the physiological structures that produce a smile. An important conclusion is that it’s not ALL in the teeth.
When we hear, see, or smell something that inspires us to smile, our senses cause the brain stem and cerebral cortex to send nerve impulses to the 26 different muscles in the face. In response, they contract and stretch to transform our faces.
Over time, “smile lines” emerge as we lose skin elasticity. These are the folds that form whenever we smile and eventually settle into persistent creases.
Different Types of Smiles
Dr. Sheth states there are multiple types of smiles. For instance, there’s a physiological difference between “social smiling”—a smile of “duty” brought on by social cues—and “true smiling”—a more accurate reflection of our emotions. Social smiling only affects the sides of the mouth, but not the eyes. In contrast, a full or true smile makes the eyes crinkle and causes the forehead to lift, making horizontal forehead creases. If a patient receives Botox injections, the occipito frontalis—the muscle in the forehead—will often suffer paralysis and be unable to display those forehead creases.
Both smiles cause the neck muscles to tighten, stretching and smoothing out the skin on the neck. Only a “true smile,” though, will make one’s cheeks rise. This happens when the risorius muscle and the zygomaticus minor muscle work together, according to Dr. Sheth.
Cosmetic Care and Teeth Whitening for Sharonville Residents
If you’d like to improve the appearance of your smile, visit us at Beckham Square Family Dental. Our Cincinnati dental office is near Sharonville, and we’d love to give you something to smile about. Fill out our online dental appointment scheduling form or call our office at 513.489.7800 to set up an appointment today.