New Beauty Magazine Asks Their Experts
NEW BEAUTY’s Internet magazine, Daily Beauty, poses thought provoking questions to their readers. Recently, they sought comments on an article by Brenna Fisher suggesting that faking a smile negatively affects a person’s mood. Dr. Thomas J. Balshi, DDS, FACP and advisor to NEW BEAUTY was among the dental specialists adding his own brush stroke.
Balshi, a board certified prosthodontist and founder of the Pi Dental Center in Fort Washington, Pennsylvania states: “When one has an exquisite smile to share with the world, using it gives the individual pleasure in every circumstance. In a positive situation it will give greater satisfaction, but even when faked, there is still a modicum of self-worth exhibited by displaying one of humanity’s most underrated assets—a healthy smile. Conversely, when one has a smile that is
flawed, each time it is used there could be some emotional discomfort in the display. A hearty laugh could perhaps balance the negative impact of a poor smile, but faking a smile would be a double whammy. We all strive to remove negative impact from everyday life. Teeth in a Day™ dental implant reconstructions make that privileged self-esteem-booster smile available to everyone in a matter of hours.”
A recent Michigan University study found that moods are often low in customer service agents who routinely force smiles and pleasant conversation. These people tend to demonstrate lower job productivity than employees whose smiles emerge from positive thinking.
Among Dr. Balshi’s favorite patients is the chief academic officer of a very prestigious hospital. Before his smile reconstruction, he had to work hard at producing a closed mouth grin. A former boss told him he intimidated people and needed to smile more. Post-operatively, his smile lights up a very welcoming face.
“Your expertise has made me feel better emotionally and physically. Some men get a Porsche when they have their mid-life crisis. I got teeth. After my children’s college tuition, this is the best money I have spent.” JCR, M.D, M.Ed., FACS
The smile is a very complex entity, far more intertwined with overall physical and emotional health than we may expect.
Does faking a smile make you feel bad? I answer with a resounding, “Yes!” When I’m filled with happiness, I want so badly to smile, laugh and express my emotions. Then, I remember that I need to “tone it down” and only “smile a little” or keep my mouth closed.
I had my 25th high school reunion recently. Meeting with my friends had me smiling and laughing while cameras were flashing everywhere. I forgot about my teeth at first, but after I realized it was too late, I must admit that I stopped caring. I wanted to enjoy that day. I noticed that there are few pictures posted of me on Facebook and should thank my friends for not sharing anything that would embarrass me, I suppose.
Today I pick up the film that I took and let others use to take group pictures of us. I have no idea what I’ll see, but whatever it is, I know that I don’t have to show anyone how happy I LOOKED that day. I just have to remember how happy I FELT that day. I never faked any of my smiles or happiness, and I think that’s what made all the difference.:)