Regardless of where you come from, chances are high you’ve seen a bright yellow smiley face at some point. In fact, if you lived through the 1960s and 70s in Western countries, you probably saw it everywhere long before they become emojis! Well, it may surprise you to learn that this symbol means a whole lot more than you might think. It specifically represents World Smile Day, which will occur on October 4 this year. In this post, you’ll learn the background of this special day and icon and what you can do to celebrate it!
Happy History of the Smiley Face
The artist who created the smiley face named Harvey Ball came from Worcester, MA, and he first produced the yellow icon in 1963 with the intent to encourage people to be kind, help others, and put a smile on their faces. Unfortunately, over the years, the symbol of a smiley face has been used and commercialized, which is why World Smile Day was created in 1999. On this one day a year, the smiley face’s original meaning is celebrated and honored, and people should focus on sharing smiles and performing acts of kindness, regardless of politics, religion, ethnicity, or other differences.
Keeping Your Smile Strong and Happy
One of the fastest and simplest ways to put a smile on someone’s face is to smile at them first, but if you don’t take good care of your teeth and gums, this small act may not be easy. As a result, at minimum, you need to brush and floss every day and visit the dentist every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Other habits that can help keep your smile healthy include limiting how much sugar you have, drinking plenty of water, and wearing a mouthguard while you play sports.
If your teeth aren’t properly aligned, you can experience jaw pain, uneven enamel wear, and an increased risk of cavities and gum disease. In this situation, consider taking advantage of Invisalign to correct your smile’s alignment for optimal oral health.
World Smile Day and Doing Good in the Community
In addition to sharing your smile with others, you can take the opportunity to make the world a happier place. Although doing something kind on one day is good, helping throughout the year is even better! Find ways in your local area to help the community. Whether you donate school supplies, food, or toys for a good cause or you simply do something nice for someone, spreading kindness can put a smile on others’ faces as well as your own.
This World Smile Day, make sure you have your smile ready and try to do something good for another person. A simple smile could be enough to make the world a happier place!
About the Practice
At Worcester Dental Arts, Dr. Jacob Donohue works to improve patients’ smiles every day. In fact, he has extensive experience treating patients with emergency oral care needs at King’s County Hospital. Worcester Dental Arts is part of the Simply Doing Good Network, a group of dental practices in the northeast that helps the surrounding community through school supply drives, Toys for Tots drives every year, and sponsoring more than 100 events and local sports teams. To learn more, contact our practice online or call 508-793-2114 to make an appointment.
