Smile more, and you might just live longer!

Great news to report! It turns out that people with big smiles (and who smile more frequently) may live longer than those who don’t, according to a 2010 study from Michigan’s Wayne State University. Our doctors at Dental Excellence have known for a long time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers there used information from the Baseball Register to look at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball before 1950.

The players' photos were enlarged, and a rating of their smile intensity was made (big smile, no smile or partial smile). The players' smile ratings were compared with data from deaths that occurred from 2006 through 2009. The researchers then corrected their analysis to account for other factors associated with longevity, such as body mass index, or BMI, career length and college attendance.

The researchers found that players who weren't smiling died at the average age of 72.9 years. Players with partial smiles lived to be 75. Those with big smiles, however, lived on average to be 79.9 years old.

Our big take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you perfected your smile by visiting our convenient Independence office lately? If not, give us a call at 816-795-9500 and set up an appointment! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!