The most effective and fun way to combat stress and anxiety

Smiling releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, which relaxes the body, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure. Women do it more and almost all of us know that it improves our health.

Smiling during a moment of stress, such as a traffic jam or a bus that doesn’t arrive, helps reduce our body’s natural response to stress. This is the conclusion reached by the psychologists Tara Kraft and Sarah Pressmanof the University of Kansas after a study carried out in 2012.

Taking into account the benefits of smiling, the question is: How much do we Spaniards smile?

To find out, the insurer Sanitas Dental has carried out the studyX-ray of the smile of Spaniards”.

According to this work, we can learn very significant data about something as important as the smile:

• Spaniards smile an average of 24.4 times a day.
• Those who smile the most are women, 71.99% compared to 28.08% of men.
• 50% claim to have smiled at least once in the last hour.
• It is a gesture that 9 out of 10 Spaniards perform completely spontaneously,
• But 1 in 3 say they smile less than they would like, because they don’t like the look of their smile.
• On the other hand, 96.3% of Spaniards believe that smiling has psychological benefits
• Another 95% believe that it is beneficial for society and people
• 93% are convinced that it improves health.

A smile also transmits good humor and optimism to others and, for this reason, almost 8 out of 10 Spaniards (78.9%) give a lot (30.2%) or quite a bit (48.7%) importance to the people around them smiling.

By autonomous community, according to the study, people smile more in the south.

• 7 out of 10 Spaniards think that where people smile the most is Andalusia.
• Following at a considerable distance are those who think it is in the Canary Islands (37.24%),
• The Valencian Community (17.95%)
• The Community of Madrid (14.69%).

But if we look at the lower part of the table we will see that the regions that are perceived as where people smile the least are:

• La Rioja (1.73%)
• Navarra (1.38%).

Why do Spaniards smile?

The people who make the respondents laugh the most are their friends (65.6%), followed in second place by their partner (58.3%), and in third place are children (53.7%).

On the other hand, the study shows that the activities that make Spaniards smile the most are being with their family (54.4%), tied with seeing their friends (54.4%), and enjoying the success of their children or relatives.

In the case of remembering the moments in which they have smiled the most, Spaniards are clear that the holidays have been a reason for smiling for 61.5%, followed by great news (58.4%).

These situations are followed by birth of a son (45.2%), their adolescence (37.2%) and finding a job (35.4%).

Despite these data, almost two out of every three Spaniards (63%) think that during the pandemic they have smiled less than they normally did, and more than half of those surveyed think that we smile less today than 30 years ago. (55.1%).

Smiling is a source of mental health and the cause of more smiles, that is, it has a positive effect on people both psychologically and physically.

• 87.8% believe that to smile it is important to only have the desire to do so
• 87.7% believe that it is important to have a good sense of humor
• Have a healthy smile (69.9%)
• A beautiful smile (53.4%)
• Nice teeth (48.4%).

Smiling releases dopamine, endorphins and serotonin, which relaxes the body, reduces heart rate and lowers blood pressure.

Endorphins help relieve pain and serotonin acts as an antidepressant. In addition, it reduces the levels of some hormones that cause stress like adrenaline or cortisol.

Do Spaniards take care of their smile?

One in three Spaniards points out that they smile less than they would like due to the appearance of their smile, which shows that oral health is a key point.

As pointed out Berta Uzquiza, dentist from the Department of Innovation and Clinical Quality of Sanitas Dental.

• “We must get into the habit of brushing our teeth after each meal, and complete brushing with the use of dental floss and mouthwash or the use of an irrigator, since this habit is essential to having a healthy mouth and, consequently, enjoying a good general health.”

But what is the reality?

Well, 3 out of 4 Spaniards say they go to their dentist annually to check their smile, especially women and young people between 25 and 44 years old.

Likewise, 78.3% go to their dentist annually to have their teeth cleaned.

Despite these check-ups and cleanings, almost 6 out of 10 respondents have suffered some oral problem in the last two years (57.2%), mainly caries problems (19.8%).

“Prevention is essential and periodic check-ups help to detect any problem that may arise in time, anticipating serious conditions,” explains Uzquiza.

The importance of dental aesthetics

Aesthetics also plays an important role today.

The study “X-ray of the smile of Spaniards” reveals that:

• 88.6% consider that smiling opens many doors in life
• Extends life (85.9%)
• Rejuvenates (84%)
• It helps to have good friends (82.4%)
• It makes your life go better (80.3%)
• It makes you happier (80.3%).

As Uzquiza explains:

“While it is true that aesthetics is a fundamental aspect of our smile and even helps us in socialization, we must take care of our smile mainly to maintain good oral health.”

“Also knowing that, sometimes, aesthetics is also linked to health. And that is why sometimes it is advisable to undergo oral aesthetic treatments not only for appearance, but because they can lead to other health problems.”

There are different dental treatments that offer solutions so that people can enjoy the smile they want, while improving their health.

Finally, the dentist explains that “the majority of oral problems They have a solution through dental treatments. For example:

• Yellow or stained teeth can be corrected with teeth whitening
• Missing teeth caused by trauma or tooth decay problems can be fixed with implants or veneers.
• And malposition of teeth can be corrected with orthodontics.”