Not only can a great smile can brighten your day, it turns out, there are emotional and physical health benefits to flashing those pearly whites.
Incorporating more smiles into our daily life is an important and easy first step toward enhancing our mood, easing anxiety, sadness, loneliness and isolation.
Let’s break it down… Smiling releases serotonin and endorphins, neurotransmitters that act as natural mood enhancers and pain killers. It reduces the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.
Smiling stimulates the production of antibodies and cells to bolster our immune systems, making it easier to resist illnesses and lead a more healthy life.Smiling can also help lower blood pressure and heart rate, giving our cardio-vascular systems a charge.
Studies have shown that the smile is often the first thing you notice when you meet someone. “As we age, our smiles can reveal a lot, not just about oral health, but also our confidence and overall well-being,” says Dr. Alex McRee, founding partner of Jax Dental Implants.
Missing or broken teeth not only make it difficult to enjoy smiling, they can make it challenging to chew food, leading to poor nutrition. Speech and self-esteem can be affected as well. Periodontal disease and other dental problems are also linked to systemic conditions like heart disease.
“Taking care of your smile isn’t just about appearances, it’s about protecting your whole body,” Dr. McRee explains.
Dr. McRee and his wife, Alexandra live in Atlantic Beach with their Australian Shepherd Rufus and their cat Ernie. Born and raised in Gainesville, GA, he attended the University of Georgia on a baseball scholarship, and his love of both playing AND watching the sport continues today. Mountain biking is another passion that keeps him active and fit.
Dr. McRee acquired a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Medical College of Georgia and completed an advanced residency at Dental Implant Center outside Birmingham, Alabama, where he met his now colleague Dr. Spencer Russell.
Dr. Russell leads the team in all cosmetic dentistry decisions at Jax Dental Implants. Each precise before and after reformation is directly tied to his expert vision. Born and raised in West Columbia, SC., he attended Wofford College, where he played lacrosse, majoring in Biology with an emphasis in Computer Science. He continued his education at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine, completing an advanced residency with surgical training at the Foundry Dental Implant Center in Alabama with Dr. McRee. Dr. Russell also lives in Atlantic Beach. He loves kite-boarding, surfing, and enjoys an active beach lifestyle with his wife, Juliana, and their mini Aussie, Finn.
Another associate at the practice, Dr. Sejal Thomas believes everyone deserves the best smilepossible. She enjoys hearing patients’ stories and discovering together what they can do to help change their future. Dr. Thomas is passionate about restorative dentistry, designing smiles, seeing the transformations and maintaining relationships with her patients.
Born and raised in the Carolinas, Dr. Thomas graduated from the MUSC College of Dental Medicine along with Dr. Russell. She enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, painting, baking, and spending timewith her husband Grayson and her Australian Shepherd named Sai.
Transforming Lives
“Every patient we work with experiences more than just a cosmetic change. It really transforms their life. Many go from hiding their smile and avoiding certain foods to smiling with confidence and enjoying all their favorite meals again. When they get their final set of teeth, the transformation is incredible. It’s amazing to watch their confidence and self-esteem grow alongside their new smile,” Dr. McRee shares.
‘When someone is happy with their smile, it shows in their appearance, the way they interact with others, and even their overall demeanor,” says Dr. McRee.
Warning: Smiling Can Be Contagious
If you feel down, try smiling instead. You might lift your own spirits and those of everyone around you! When we see someone smile our brains are programmed to reciprocate, which creates a positive chain reaction, spreading happiness and strengthening our social connections. So go ahead, turn that frown upside down! If you’re not 100% happy with your smile, or if you’re tired of dealing with missing and broken teeth, consider booking a consultation at Jax Dental Implants. Their focus is on restoring smiles with dental implants, even if it’s a single tooth or a full mouth restoration.
You’re never too old to get the smile you deserve.
“You can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted at any age. When you’re ready to take that first step, we’re here to help,” says Dr. McRee.
When you need the best surgeons, compassionate care, and affordable pricing to replace missing teeth, the Jax Dental Implants team will work directly with you to design and customize a smile thatfits you perfectly.
Beginning with an initial consultation, you can browse smile galleries, photos, and 3D scans to help craft the exact smile you’ve always dreamed of. Their goal is to give you exceptional results at a reasonable price. So what are you waiting for? Put your best face forward and let your inner light shine!
