What's in a smile? Your smile says a lot about you.

Smiling can provide you with immense psychological benefits, as well as making a better impression on how others perceive you.

At Oxnard Dentist Carson & Acasio, we’re not psychologists or general problem solvers. We can’t reduce the everyday stress or difficulties in your life. But if your smile is suffering from dental issues, there’s a good chance we may be able to help you smile again.

Let’s look at some of the benefits of smiling.

Smiling makes you feel better.

Smiling can elevate your mood and lower stress by increasing the production of mood-enhancing hormones and decreasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Additionally, smiling can help reduce blood pressure. The act of smiling also signals your brain to release endorphins, which can alleviate pain and stress, further improving your overall well-being.

Believe it or not, but smiling can help you live longer.

Research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed data from two large population studies with a total of 71,400 participants. The results showed that optimistic men and women, who often express their optimism through smiles, lived longer and reached ages around 85 years. This supports Harvard Medical School's findings that link optimism to a reduced risk of premature death from cancer and infections.

Smiling, or not smiling, can have a significant effect of how you are perceived by others.

While attraction is subjective, research has shown that certain emotional expressions can be more sexually appealing than others, depending on gender. In a study of happiness, pride, and shame, men found women's happy smiles to be the most attractive. However, women were least attracted to men's expressions of happiness. The study concluded that different emotional expressions affect sexual attractiveness differently based on gender, while age did not appear to be a factor.

Smiling is not a learned, but rather an

innate behavior. 

Think of it this way. Babies start smiling almost immediately after they are born. They smile a lot except when they have indigestion (LOL), are hungry, tired, want attention, or when they need their diapers changed. No one wants to engage with a person who looks, or acts, miserable, and is constantly frowning or appears angry.

Caution. A smile doesn’t necessarily mean a person is happy.

Both past and present psychologists acknowledge that there are more than 15 distinct types of smiles, each with its own unique meaning. Some smiles are forced or artificial, and these can result in negative consequences. For example, research has shown that customer service workers who force themselves to smile to project happiness may be more likely to engage in heavier drinking after work.

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Bringing the focus of this message back to smiling and how we can help you overcome smile issues. 

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Here’s how Oxnard Dentistry Carson & Acasio can help bring your smile back for you.

A complete smile makeover.

A smile makeover, which can also be called a complete mouth restoration or rebuild, uses a variety of dental procedures to improve the look of your teeth and smile. This results in a positive transformation in your life. Oxnard dentists Dr. Derek Carson and Dr. Mike Acasio can help you achieve your goals, whether you want a smile makeover for cosmetic reasons or you need significant work on your mouth and teeth. A smile makeover can include porcelain dental veneers, cosmetic bondings, dental tooth implants (one, many or all teeth), and teeth whitening.

Replace one or more broken or missing teeth … even the top and/or bottom rack of teeth in your mouth. There are several options for dental implants: single or multi-tooth implants, implant-supported dentures, or all-on-x (a complete set of teeth). We make same day crowns in our own lab at our Oxnard Dentist practice on Deodar Ave.

Help restore normal biting and chewing functions.

Eating is a main part of our life and should be an enjoyable experience. You need to be focusing on your food, and not dental issues which can take away the pleasure whether you are eating alone or with someone.

Clear aligners, which are the go-to choice for most people young and old alike.

Gone are the days of the wire or ceramic braces. Clear aligners can address many orthodontic issues including crowding, overbite, spacing or caps, and crooked teeth. They are very discrete and easily removable when it's time to eat or have your picture taken.

Address issues of mouth, teeth or gum pain (periodontal disease).

Did you know that four out of five people may have periodontal disease without even realizing it? Many remain unaware because this condition is often painless in its early stages.

Periodontal disease is not only the leading cause of tooth loss, but research also indicates a possible connection between it and other health issues like stroke, bacterial pneumonia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and higher risks during pregnancy. Scientists are investigating whether the inflammation and bacteria tied to periodontal disease impact these systemic health conditions. Additionally, smoking can elevate the risk of developing periodontal disease.

Whiten teeth and remove built up plaque or tartar.

Tooth whitening, often referred to as bleaching, is a straightforward and non-invasive dental procedure aimed at altering the color of natural tooth enamel, making it a perfect choice for enhancing your smile’s appeal.

With whiter teeth now being the top aesthetic priority for many patients, there are several methods available for achieving this. The most favored approach is a home tooth whitening system, which can lead to significant results. However, we recommend a professional treatment which provides better and faster results. Since whitening treatments are effective only on natural enamel, it’s crucial to consider replacing any old fillings or crowns beforehand. Any restorations should be updated after the whitening process to ensure they seamlessly match your newly brightened smile.

We require a routine teeth cleaning prior to a teeth whitening procedure.

Eliminate dental infections.

A dental infection, commonly known as a tooth infection or abscess, happens when bacteria penetrate the dental pulp, which is the innermost section of the tooth that holds nerves and blood vessels, or affect the adjacent gum tissues. When these bacteria multiply, they form a painful abscess or a pocket filled with pus, causing discomfort. If left untreated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body.

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The above solutions are not DIY options. You need to come on down and meet with one of our dentists for a complimentary evaluation and consultation. Based on what we see, and what you share with us, we’ll create a smile plan for you which will work within your desires and budget.

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Whatever you think your dental needs are, you should give us a call for a free consultation. Our practice in Oxnard is Carson & Acasio Dentistry (805) 987-1711. In Camarillo, we do business as Spanish Hills Dentistry (805) 983-0717.

Click to Request an Appointment

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RICH SPRAGUE

Rich is our Marketing Services Manager. He’s responsible for our business rebrand, including the design of our new logo, the production of our marketing materials, and the development of our new website. He is extremely passionate towards the complete marketing and sales process. In addition to his Master’s Degree in Web Design & New Media, he has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and has been writing articles since high school. Rich's email is rich@richsprague.com.