A smile can mean so many different things to so many people. Sometimes it is the only outward sign that a person is happy or a sign of happiness. At other times a smile is just a happy, welcoming sign. Whatever the case may be it is important to have a good smile, one that brings out positive energy and makes others feel good. The ability to smile can be taught to anyone, with some simple techniques that can make a huge difference in your social life.
The mechanics of smiling are fairly simple, though it takes some practice to master. The muscles that help to keep your teeth together and your mouth closed during a smile are known as the zygomatic major muscle groups. The front two corners of your mouth and the corners of your mouth that meet when you open your mouth are the zygomatic minor muscle groups. Smiling is created primarily by contracting the zygomatic major muscle groups in the upper sides of your mouth, a function known as a Dorsolade smile.
It takes practice to keep the front teeth in place and to rotate them in a counterclockwise direction, which also helps keep the smile wide. Your smile may need a little more work if you have crooked or shortened teeth or if your bite has changed since childhood. This is why your dentist will probably recommend that you do some extra cosmetic dentistry work before your next dental appointment to correct any imperfections, smile or otherwise.
There are many ways to practice smiling, through facial expressions, grimaces, teeth clenching or teeth pulling. All of these functions have different effects on how you present yourself, but all smiles are essentially the same. A smile can be created from a wide variety of facial expressions, from a placid smile to an upturned eyebrow, from a smile that reveals a bright, open mouth to a wrinkled, expressionless face. A person who smiles often may be viewed as more confident than a person who smiles infrequently.
Smile makeover procedures will usually concentrate on the areas surrounding the zygomaticus major, the largest muscle in the body. These areas, which include the cheeks, the eyes, the nose, the chin and the jaw line, receive the most attention. Smiles are typically wider at the corners of the mouth than at the teeth, because the corners of your mouth are the widest and most important area to focus on. The zygomaticus major muscle originates in the chest area and goes through your shoulders and neck. Other important facial areas to target during smile makeovers include the forehead, the jaw line, the chin, the eyebrows and eyelids.
When the corners of your mouth become overstretched or contracted, a frown can appear. You can learn how to smile more naturally and avoid the appearance of a frown by practicing muscle relaxation exercises and facial expression control. In your natural smiling position, your lips and mouth should be wide open and be pursed together at an angle of about thirty degrees. You should move your chin forward, your eyes forward and your teeth gently backward while breathing.