On the first Friday of October every year, people all over the world recognize World Smile Day, a day that celebrates the importance of smiling! Smiles are practical; they house our teeth, allowing us to eat and speak with ease and confidence. However, smiles are also inspirational – and sometimes all it takes is a well-timed smile to totally change someone’s outlook, boost their confidence, and make them feel like a million bucks! That said, here’s a closer look at the history of World Smile Day, along with some ways you can maintain a healthier smile and keep others in your community happy and healthy!
History of World Smile Day
In the 1960s, a graphic artist from Worcester, MA named Harvey Bell came up with a particular design – most of us recognize it these days as the simple, yellow smile face. However, not everyone understands the true meaning associated with this special icon since its commercialization in 1999. Every year on the first Friday of October, we celebrate the original meaning of this smiley face by recognizing World Smile Day. The message is one of positivity and compassion: by sharing a smile, you can truly make someone else’s day while also making the whole world a better place.
Keeping Your Smile Healthy and Happy
Naturally, you should want to maintain a healthy and bright smile – and you should want the same for your child! After all, smiles are big sources of confidence, and you might be hesitant to show yours off if you’re unhappy with it.
The first step in maintaining a beautiful and problem-free smile is keeping up with oral hygiene at home. This means brushing twice each day for two minutes each time, as well as flossing and using an antibacterial mouthwash. It’s also wise to keep sugar consumption to a minimum, especially by avoiding sugary drinks like soda, juice, and sports drinks. As a parent, you’ll have quite a lot of control over what your kid eats, so it’s wise to encourage healthier options and assist them with their oral hygiene if needed.
It’s also worth mentioning that if your child is having trouble smiling confidently, chewing properly, or articulating and speaking clearly, you should schedule an orthodontic consultation for them. Teeth that are properly aligned are beneficial for dental development and oral function, as well as promoting self-esteem!
Helping Everyone Around You to Smile
Sharing a smile with someone else can do more good than you may realize. If you want to get more involved with your community and help to make others smile, you have so many options. Think about donating school supplies to a local school, giving money to a nearby church, donating food and essentials to a local shelter, or simply helping out anyone in need. As long as you’re providing aid to someone and you have a big smile on your face, you’re doing your part! Finding something that you and your family can do together is even better; helping your children understand the importance of a healthy, happy smile this World Smile Day will definitely set them up for a brighter future!
About the Practice
Our team here at Simply Orthodontics Wayland has served families in the Wayland, MA community for several years, offering a wide range of orthodontic services for patients of all ages. We’re also actively involved in our community and always looking for new ways to better serve our patients and local families. To learn more about our Simply Doing Good network or to schedule an appointment with us for yourself or a loved one, please visit us online or call us today for further information. Telephone: (508) 358-6300.