World Smile Day, celebrated on the first Friday of every October, isn’t just a special day, but also a reminder of how something as simple as a smile can make the world around us a much better place. Here’s a brief look at the history of World Smile Day, along with more about the importance of dental health and some ways you keep your community smiling on this special day!
What Is World Smile Day All About?
World Smile Day has been celebrated worldwide for many years – it was commercialized back in 1999, but it actually first originated in Worcester, MA back in the ’60s. Local graphic artist Harvey Ball created the iconic yellow smiley face symbol that’s been associated with peace and happiness, and ever since, it’s served as a sign that smiling keeps the world happy.
Every year on the first Friday of October, we celebrate the original meaning of this smiley face, taking the message even further by giving back to our communities and helping all those around us smile brightly and confidently.
The Importance of Maintaining a Happy, Healthy Smile
To put it bluntly, your smile is an incredibly important part of you – it’s the first thing people see when they meet you! It’s also your absolute biggest source of confidence, allowing you to navigate personal and professional relationships with ease.
With all of that in mind, you should take great care of your smile year-round, not just on World Smile Day! Be sure that you’re brushing, flossing, and rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash, in addition to keeping up with your routine dental checkups. These visits allow your dentist to carefully clean and inspect your teeth and gums, ensuring that no problems are present and you’re happy with how things look.
Other reasonable hygiene habits include things like:
- Limiting how much sugar you consume and sticking to a healthy, vitamin-rich diet.
- Drinking plenty of water in favor of things like coffee, soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juices.
- Wearing a protective mouthguard if you participate in sports.
Helping the Whole World Smile Brightly
Sometimes, all it takes is one smile to completely change a person’s day, week, or year – needless to say, smiling can go a long way. If you want to get more involved in spreading joy and kindness, you can find ways to get involved in your local community. There are certainly many people who could benefit from your compassion, and in turn, pay it forward. Consider donating school supplies to a local school, giving money or food to a nearby shelter or church, or simply helping out a stranger who needs a hand.
As long as you’re finding some way to help and you have a big smile on your face, you’re doing what you can to make the world a better place!
About the Practice
Our team here at Pinnacle Dental has proudly served families in the Braintree, MA community for several years, offering a wide range of preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and other services. We’re also actively involved in the community through our Simply Doing Good network, coordinating all kinds of projects including school supply drives as well as supporting local organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club. To learn more about some of the ways we spread smiles in Braintree, or to schedule an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please visit us online or call us today for more information or assistance! Telephone: (781) 412-1412.