The average person has about six to eight distinct types of smiles, each one different depending on your mood and situation. Dr. Fondriest can make all your types of smiles look beautiful.
Has anyone ever told you that they “can’t read you?” Some people are very readable, meaning their emotions, thoughts, and mood show in their facial expressions. Do you have a good “poker face” and keep your emotions under wraps, or does everyone know what you’re feeling?
Either way, your facial expressions have a lot to do with your smiles. (Yes, that’s supposed to be plural!) While you have only one set of teeth, one set of lips, and one tongue, you have multiple smiles, and you show them according to the mood or situation you’re in.
Some sources say that each person has six smiles, while others claim that we have the ability to display up to 25 unique grins. Some of these include smiles that are genuine, friendly, polite, embarrassed, playful, heartfelt, twisted, secretive, and misunderstanding.
No matter your mood or which smile you’ve chosen to wear at that moment, your smile says a lot about you, and, if you’re embarrassed to smile because your dental situation is less than ideal, that says a lot about you, too.
If you’re happy- or any other emotion- you want to show it! Don’t hide your true emotions in an effort to hide cracked, chipped, and stained teeth. Instead, make an appointment with Dr. James Fondriest in Lake Forest, Illinois by calling (847) 234-0517.
The “Good” Smiles
You use two different sets of muscles when you smile. The zygomatic major muscles control the shape of your mouth, and the orbicularis oculi muscles control the shape of your eyes. It’s easy to change the position of your mouth, but your eyes can’t be controlled. A true smile creates small wrinkles in the corners of your eyes and makes your eyes look narrower.
- Genuine Smile: When you’re really happy, you form a genuine smile. It’s honest and expresses joy from the heart. A genuine smile often exposes your teeth, enlarges your cheeks, and dips down your eyebrows. This smile is called a Duchenne smile.
- Friendly Smile: When meeting or greeting people, you may use a friendly smile. A friendly smile seems welcoming and inviting. It tells the other person that you’re interested in being with them.
- Playful Smile: When you’re excited or having fun, you’ll open your mouth to show a playful smile. A playful smile is often accompanied by laughter and enthusiasm. It often exposes all your teeth.
The “Bad” Smiles
You can move your mouth in several different positions without affecting your eyes, your body, or your mood. Fake smiles are often used to cover up true feelings, but don’t represent true happiness.
- Smirk: When you’re secretive, hiding something, or being sarcastic, you may press your lips together in a narrow, straight line.
- Polite Smile: When you’re trying to spare someone’s feelings, you may form a polite smile. You can use your muscles to form a smile with your mouth, but it won’t be an honest grin. Polite smiles are often used out of respect or courtesy to pretend you’re joyful.
- Embarrassed Smile: When you’ve been embarrassed or caught doing something wrong, you will smile innocently to cover up your humiliation. With an embarrassed smile, your lips will be pressed together and your head may be tilted downwards. This type of smile may also be only half a smile, upturning only one half of your mouth.
Irregardless of your types of smiles, come learn how to improve it
Your different grins and emotions make it hard for others to tell what you really mean when you smile. Smiling, no matter what emotion you’re expressing, is good for your health. If you’re ashamed to smile because of tooth defects, contact Dr. Fondriest to help make your smile look better with cosmetic treatments. Call Lake Forest Dental Arts at (847) 234-0517 to schedule an appointment to bring back your smile. We welcome patients from the North Shore area of Chicago, including Winnetka, Highland Park, Northbrook, Glenview, and the surrounding communities.