“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney

smile

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney

People have to work hard not to smile when someone first smiles at them just Andy Rooney says here. It is an automatic response to smile back at someone. It’s a wonder, then, if smiles are really genuine. After all, if some smiles are an automatic response, we will wonder whether those are genuine. The good news is that we know, at least, our smiles are genuine when we are alone because they are coming from within.

What Can Your Smile Tell You?

When we’re alone and we smile, it’s often because we found something funny, came across something that brings us joy or we remembered a happy memory. Since we’re not expected to provide a social smile back at someone, we know that it’s real. We can also hypothesize that smiling is a genuine reaction that comes from within and not completely behaviorally learned because we know that babies often smile in the womb.

However, there are times when our smiles are genuine with others as well. We can tell when others are “just being polite” because those smiles are minimal. It is said that a smile can use as little as 5 facial muscles and as many as 53 muscles. The more muscles someone uses while smiling the more genuine the smile is.

Now, let’s get back to why people resist smiling. There are some who don’t like to smile because they’re self-conscious of their smiles. This comes from four reasons: they don’t feel they have an attractive smile, they have missing teeth, their teeth are discolored, and they have crooked teeth. The most common reasons amongst these reasons is from discolored teeth, which can be corrected with whitening, and crooked teeth.

Thankfully, people have the option of visiting an orthodontist to get braces. If people don’t like the sight of braces on their teeth, they have the option of using Invisalign and other clear aligners that are virtually undetectable. Invisalign and other aligners steadily move teeth. Wearing a couple aligners for a few weeks can make a huge difference and people have found they’re more likely to smile because of it.

Schedule an Orthodontic Examination in Larkspur Today

In Marin County, Calif., you can visit Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics to have an examination and treatment from these professionals:

• Dr. Jasmine Gorton
• Dr. Bill Schmohl
• Dr. Jeff Nichelini

An orthodontist will discuss orthodontic options with you to repair problems such as crowded teeth,crossbites or overbites. Depending on your malocclusions, you can wear one of these devices:

• Retainers
• Invisalign
• WildSmiles
• Braces with colors
• Traditional or Damon Clear

We also offer WowSmiles and Acceledent options to our orthodontic patients. Schedule an appointment by calling 415-459-8006 today.

Gorton & Schmohl Orthodontics
900 Larkspur Landing Circle,Suite 200 Larkspur CA 94939 Tel: (415)-459-8006

“If you smile when you are alone, then you really mean it.” – Andy Rooney