World Smile Day first became a recognized holiday in 1999 by commercial artist Harvey Ball. While many are familiar with the iconic yellow smiley face that is a symbol of the holiday, they aren’t necessarily familiar with the history of the day and how they can celebrate. Read on to learn more about World Smile Day and how you can participate with your friends and family by getting out in the community.
What’s the History of World Smile Day?
The history of World Smile Day goes back even further than 1999. The iconic yellow smiley face associated with the holiday was first created by Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts in 1963.
Over the next several years, the smiley face was used by corporations to promote sales, detracting from its original purpose of spreading genuine cheer and joy in the world, and encouraging others to do the same. As a result, Harvey Ball decided to dub the first Friday of October World Smile Day. His goal was to encourage people to spend at least one day a year sharing and spreading smiles with others in their community.
Feel More Confident Sharing Your Smile
There are a number of reasons why you may not feel confident sharing your own smile, but some of the most common include having crooked, gapped, or misaligned teeth. Orthodontic issues can cause many people to hide their grins behind their hands instead of letting their smile show and brighten the world around them. Fortunately, there are a number of orthodontic treatments that can be utilized to enhance the appearance and functionality of your smile, ranging from discreet clear aligners to traditional braces.
After your results are achieved, you may find that you’re ready to share your smile with the world just in time for World Smile Day in 2025!
Get Involved by Spreading Smiles in Your Community
Another great way to celebrate World Smile Day is by supporting local shops and practices that are dedicated to giving back to your local community. This can look different for every business depending on what causes mean the most to them, ranging from supporting local teachers by collecting school supplies, participating in Toys for Tots charity drives, or even sponsoring local sports teams. By helping uplift others who want to make your community a better place, your impact can become two-fold!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics Webster, our team is always looking for new ways to get involved in the community. We also participate in regular causes and events throughout New England, including our annual Classroom Supplies Drive and Toys for Tots charity drive, and we’re always welcoming new recommendations for organizations to support. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Simply Orthodontics Webster’s website or call 508-943-2100.