National Smile Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about National Smile Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. National Smile Day is celebrated on May 31st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of National Smile Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as intriguing facts you should know about National Smile Day.

📅 What day is National Smile Day 2024?

In 2024, National Smile Day is on Wednesday, May 31st. It is the 5th Wednesday in May; in 2024, it is Friday. There are until the next observance. You also can learn all intriguing details and facts about May 31, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

National Smile Day is a special occasion that takes place annually on May 31. It was established by dentists Dr. Tim Stirneman and Jim Wojdyla from Compassionate Dental Care in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. The purpose of this day is to emphasize the importance of a healthy smile and its positive impact on our lives. It is a time to come together and celebrate the power of a genuine smile. Additionally, May 31 also marks the beginning of National Smile Month, making it even more significant.

📜 National Smile Day History

In ancient times, people rarely smiled in pictures due to the high prevalence of tooth decay caused by a poor diet. Additionally, aristocrats believed that smiling and laughing were inappropriate and indicated a lack of manners. However, as dental care improved and the value of authenticity increased, people began to smile more in photographs, proudly showing off their teeth.

Studies of old yearbooks have shown that the range of smiles has expanded over time. Initially, people’s smiles faded in early photographs because they had to maintain the pose for longer periods. The increase in smiling in recent times is influenced by cultural norms and varies from country to country. Regions with high individuality and low population density tend to have more people smiling. However, research suggests that a nation’s history of diverse immigration plays a significant role in why people smile. This is why countries like Brazil and the United States, with different languages and customs, have higher rates of smiling. It is seen as a universal language.

There are two types of smiles: a Duchenne smile and a non-Duchenne smile, as classified by a French neurologist named Guillaume Duchenne. The Duchenne smile is genuine and involves the eyes, while the non-Duchenne smile is often insincere or polite, lacking the same authenticity.

✅ National Smile Day Facts

🔖 Babies are better at smiling than you are
On a daily basis, babies flash their smiles about 400 times, while adults typically smile an average of only 20 times.

🔖 Babies can fake it too!
Infants as young as nine or ten months old have already mastered the art of giving fake smiles to strangers, reserving genuine smiles and laughter for people they know well.

🔖 Smiling is less taxing than frowning
Smiling requires fewer muscles than frowning.

👍 Why Is National Smile Day Important

They not only make you feel good (yes, even fake smiles! ), but they also form a temporary bond between the people who share a smile. Data suggests that smiling can enhance worker productivity and creativity over time, as well as making employees appear more competent and trustworthy.

Our brains get healthier as we grin more. This is due to the fact that smiling make us joyful, which reduces stress. Smiles have also been shown to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and discomfort. Smiling can boost our endurance, boost our immune system, and even help keep our cells healthy.

Smiling changes our mood and switches it to the ‘happy’ side. A person who is pleased is more confident. Walking into a place with a grin is preferable to wearing expensive brand-name clothing or shoes. There is no disadvantage to smiling, neither in the way it seems nor in the outcomes it produces.

🙂 How To Observe National Smile Day

⚡ Visit your dentist
Dentists were the ones who started this day, so show your appreciation by visiting yours. Schedule a dental check-up to make sure your smile is healthy and functioning properly.

⚡ Smile!
To truly honor this special day dedicated to smiling, the best thing we can do is simply smile. Let’s bring happiness and positivity to others by sharing our smiles. It’s easy to forget that we often spend our days with frowns on our faces. Take a moment to share a smile with someone and see the impact it has on your everyday interactions.

⚡ Make someone else smile
Take a step towards making someone’s day better by doing something kind. Start with simple acts like sharing a joke, and then gradually increase your efforts by volunteering at a children’s home or engaging in bigger acts of kindness. Regardless of what you choose to do, cherish the feeling of being able to bring happiness to someone’s life, and strive to spread smiles to everyone you come across.

📅 When is National Smile Day?

Explore all 🔗 May holidays, including 🔗 Fun and other 🔗 Awareness holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and fun facts about National Smile Day. So be sure to check back soon.