Skip to content

Top Navigation

Health.com Health.com
  • Health Conditions A-Z
  • News
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition
  • Fitness
  • Beauty
  • Mind & Body
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Health.com

Health.com Health.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Is Your Doctor Gaslighting You? Here's What to Do

      How to handle a physician who doubts or dismisses your symptoms. Read More Next
    • 9 Signs It's More Serious Than the Common Cold

      Doctors explain how to tell if you have a head cold or something more serious that requires medical attention, such as the flu, strep throat, meningitis, or mono. Read More Next
    • How Your Period Changes During Your 20s, 30s, and 40s

      From easier cramps to a heavier flow, here's a guide on what to expect decade by decade. Read More Next
  • Health Conditions A-Z

    Health Conditions A-Z

    See all Health Conditions A-Z

    12 Anxiety Symptoms That Might Point to a Disorder

    The symptoms of anxiety can be hard to detect. Here are the ones you need to pay attention to, and how to know if you may have an anxiety disorder.
    • Allergies
    • Anxiety
    • Birth Control
    • Breast Cancer
    • Coronavirus
    • Chronic Pain
    • Cold, Flu, and Sinus
    • Depression
    • Digestive Health
    • Diabetes (Type 2)
    • Eczema
    • Eye Health
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Heart Disease
    • Headaches and Migraines
    • Oral Health
    • Pregnancy
    • Psoriasis
    • Sexual Health
    • Skin Conditions
    • Sleep
    • Thyroid
  • News

    News

    See all News

    Shannen Doherty Reveals Stage 4 Breast Cancer Diagnosis—Here's What It Means

    "I'm petrified," the actress said when she shared the news that her breast cancer came back. Here's why a stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis can be so frightening.
    • Celebrities
  • Coronavirus
  • Diet & Nutrition

    Diet & Nutrition

    The Best (and Worst) Diets of 2020, According to Experts

    FYI: The keto diet is not number one.
    • Food
    • Nutrition
    • Vitamins and Supplements
    • Groceries
    • Restaurants
    • Diets
    • Keto Diet
    • Mediterranean Diet
    • Whole30
    • Recipes
  • Fitness

    Fitness

    See all Fitness

    10 Moves for a Cardio Workout at Home—No Equipment Required

    Stay in your living room and still spike your heart rate.
    • Cardio Workouts
    • Strength Training
    • Yoga
    • Ab Workouts
    • Arm Workouts
    • Leg Workouts
    • Butt Workouts
    • Fitness Gear
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See all Beauty

    These 13 Women Prove Every Body Is a Bikini Body

    We're loving their inspirational, body-positive messages.
    • Skincare
    • Makeup
    • Hair
    • Nails
  • Mind & Body

    Mind & Body

    See all Mind & Body

    Why Do People Lie? We Asked an Expert

    Here's the truth about lying.
    • Body Positivity
    • Self-Care
    • Misdiagnosed
    • Invisible Illness
    • LGBTQ+ Health
    • Health Diversity and Inclusion
    • Resolution Reboot
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    20 Things You Should Throw Away for Better Health

    Clean out expired products and clutter to make way for a healthier you.
    • Healthy Home
    • Pets
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Style
    • Holidays
    • Sex
    • Gifts
    • Money
    • Tech
    • Medicare
    • Best Life Now
  • Weight Loss
  • Newsletter
  • Promo

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Oral Health Chevron Right
  3. 9 Things Your Smile Can Tell You About Your Health

9 Things Your Smile Can Tell You About Your Health

By Hallie Levine
October 02, 2017
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty Images
Whiter teeth, healthier gums, gorgeous lips—yep, they can all be yours.
Start Slideshow

1 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Get a healthy smile

Of course everyone wants bright white teeth. But the benefits of a beautiful smile are more than just cosmetic. Researchers have found links between poor oral health and conditions that involve the heart, the brain, and other parts of the body—all the more reason to give your kisser the best care possible.

Read on for the updates you need to know to keep your lips, teeth, and gums in tip-top shape (including cold sore remedies, a teeth-whitening cheat sheet, and the right flossing technique). And if you hate going to the dentist? The good news is that there is a natural way to feel calm in the chair.

1 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You still need to floss

Credit: Getty Images

Flossing made headlines earlier this year when an Associated Press report claimed that research shows little evidence it's worth your while. But don't quit the habit just yet, says Wayne Aldredge, DMD, president of the American Academy of Periodontology. "All the studies they looked at were of short duration, some as little as two weeks. Gum disease is a process that takes years to develop."

Over time, the bacteria hiding between your chompers can build up, promoting acid production that erodes teeth and leads to cavities. Flossing does help get rid of those harmful bugs. The best way to do it: Slide the strand vertically, up and down the sides of your teeth (don't saw back and forth). If you really dislike flossing, try and interdental brush. Some research suggests that these wiry, cylindrical little brushes ay be even more effective than dental floss.

2 of 9

3 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Your mouth can tell you a lot about your health

Credit: Getty Images

The time and effort you put into oral hygiene (including regular dental cleanings) may pay off in spades. Research suggests that the condition of your gums is connected to a variety of health issues: Several studies have found a link between gum disease and heart disease. (A 2015 Korean review discovered that folks who slacked off on brushing and flossing had higher rates of hypertension.) Other research suggests an association between oral health and premature birth, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's, and even lung cancer. One hypothesis is that gum disease triggers inflammation throughout the body, increasing a person's risk of illness.

3 of 9

Advertisement

4 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Have dental dread? It's treatable

Credit: Getty Images

If an upcoming dentist visit makes you nervous, you're not alone. For 1 in 10 people, the fear is so intense that they avoid going, according to research. "That really backfires, because people put it off for so long that they end up needing all sorts of painful procedures," says Mark Wolff, DDS, chair of the department of cariology and comprehensive care at the New York University College of Dentistry. Believe it or not, seeing a shrink can help: A 2015 study published in the British Dental Journal found that 79% of severely anxious patients who attended an average of five sessions with a cognitive behavioral therapist were able to undergo dental treatment without sedation.

Another option? Bring earphones. Listening to your own soothing music will help you relax, says Dr. Wolff. And make sure you tell your dentist you're nervous so she can work with you. "If they are not sympathetic," says Dr. Wolff, "you need to find another dentist."

4 of 9

5 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

You can plump up your pout

Credit: Getty Images

While over-the-counter lip plumpers can give you that trendy bee-stung look, it'll fade after just a few hours. If you want your fuller lips to last longer, ask your derm about hyaluronic acid fillers. The injections, which are relatively painless with a little numbing cream, take about 10 minutes, and the effects last at least six months, says Bruce Robinson, MD, a dermatologist in New York city. Unlike collagen, formerly the go-to dermal filler, hyaluronic acid creates subtle, natural-looking results. The cost can range from $500 to $2,000, depending on where you live.

5 of 9

6 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

The best way to combat cold sores

Credit: Getty Images

If you get fever blisters on your lips, they may be more likely to make an appearance this time of year. You can blame stress (ubiquitous during the holidays), chapped lips (any trauma to your kisser can trigger an outbreak of cold sores, which are caused by the herpes simplex virus), or a weakened immune system during wintertime, says Dr. Robinson.

As soon as you feel that familiar tingling or burning sensation that often begins a day or two before a cold sore forms, call your doctor. She can prescribe acyclovir, an antiviral medication that can cut the healing time in half. Dr. Robinson also recommends Domeboro, an over-the-counter soothing soak that you apply twice a day to help dry up the blisters.

6 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Smile therapy is real

Credit: Getty Images

A genuine smile can be a powerful thing. For example, in one 2014 study, seniors who watched a funny video for 20 minutes performed better on memory tests afterward than a control group who simply sat calmly for the same length of time. Smiling is the first step toward laughter, and it seems to prompt an increase in endorphins and dopamine in your brain, which provide a sense of pleasure and reward, explains Lee Berk, DrPH, a preventative care specialist at Loma Linda University and one of the authors of the study. "But the expression must be authentic," he points out. Takeaway tip: Next time you have a stressful event, prep by Googling that dancing-kitty video that never fails to make you grin.

7 of 9

8 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Faking a smile can have consequences

Credit: Getty Images

You've probably heard the advice "Put on a happy face" when it's the last thing you feel like doing. Well, you can relax those cheeks, because some research shows that forcing a grin isn't actually a good idea: A 2011 study found that people who faked a smile all day felt less engaged in their work than people who sported genuine ones.

"When you fake a smile, it creates a feeling of tension or dissonance that is unpleasant to experience," explains study author Brent Scott, PhD, a professor at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. "In other words, people do not like to feel like a fake." Scott's solution: Summon a natural happy expression by visualizing yourself doing something you love.

8 of 9

9 of 9

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Some foods can harm your teeth

Credit: Getty Images

Surprise, these foods and drinks can harm your teeth.

Wine: You know the red stuff can stain, but all vino is acidic, which means it can erode your enamel, leaving teeth more susceptible to staining and sensitivity, says Dr. Aldredge.

Diet soda: It's just as hard on your teeth as regular soda, according to a 2015 Australian study. These drinks often contain phosphoric and citric acids, which can strip away enamel.

Dried fruit: It's sticky and high in sugar, which translates to cavities, says Dr. Aldredge. The best option: raisins, because they suppress the growth of some mouth bacteria, says research.

Ice: Chewing on hard substances can damage enamel, per the American Dental Association. For the sake of your teeth, cool off with a tall glass of ice water instead.

Mashed potatoes: Foods filled with starch stick to your teeth, says Dr. Aldredge. Potato chips, which tend to get trapped in your teeth, aren't great either. Try to floss after you eat to remove food particles.

9 of 9

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Hallie Levine

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 9 Get a healthy smile
2 of 9 You still need to floss
3 of 9 Your mouth can tell you a lot about your health
4 of 9 Have dental dread? It's treatable
5 of 9 You can plump up your pout
6 of 9 The best way to combat cold sores
7 of 9 Smile therapy is real
8 of 9 Faking a smile can have consequences
9 of 9 Some foods can harm your teeth

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Health.com

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact us
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Health.com is part of the Meredith Health Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All rights reserved. The material in this site is intended to be of general informational use and is not intended to constitute medical advice, probable diagnosis, or recommended treatments. All products and services featured are selected by our editors. Health.com may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.health.com

View image

9 Things Your Smile Can Tell You About Your Health
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.