What makes you smile?

laughingAs part of National Smile Month, the Oral Health Foundation has gone on a mission to find out what is most likely to put a smile on the faces of the great British public.

The results have revealed that what brings us most happiness does not have to cost us anything at all – from reaching the end of a good book, finding money on the street and even experiencing a traffic-free morning commute, it’s the little things in life which can make us smile.

Here’s a countdown of the top 10 things that bring a smile to our faces:

10. Eating food

9. Finding money in the street

8. The thought of a lie-in

7. A night out with friends

6. A stroll of the beach

5. Being welcomed home by a pet

4. Hearing our favourite song

3. Looking at family photos

2. Giving or receiving a hug

And the number one things which brings a smile to our face is…

1. Hearing our children or grandchildren laugh.

National Smile Month platinum sponsor, Wrigley’s Extra, has also been taking a look at what makes the nation’s children smile as part of its Smile Back Project. The company has discovered that children really are happier playing outside than being stuck in front of a screen.

It surveyed 1,000 parents of children aged 11 and under to find 36% said playing outside made their kids smile compared to 34% who preferred to sit in front of the TV.

Speaking on behalf of Wrigley’s Extra, Julio Guijarro, Wrigley UK marketing director, said: ‘A smile is hugely contagious, it often makes others around us smile and instantly improves our mood, we should all remember it is something absolutely everyone possesses. What we smile about reflects so much about us and looking after our smiles is vital; we have to make our oral health a priority.

The Smile Back Project aims to put a smile on the nations kids’ faces by donating a minimum of £250,000 to Action for Children in order to create a series of oral health workshops in partnership with the Oral Health Foundation. We want to ensure that children have the confidence to smile throughout their whole life.’

During National Smile Month, the Oral Health Foundation wants to remind everyone of the importance looking after their oral health has on their happiness. Remember to brush teeth last thing at night and at least one other time during the day with a fluoride toothpaste, try to cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and visit the dentist regularly, as often as they recommend.

National Smile Month runs until 16 June. The campaign is UK’s largest and longest running charity campaign initiative aimed at increasing awareness of importance of oral health, and this year celebrates its 40th birthday.

National Smile Month 2016 is being supported by some of the nation’s best-known brands and retailers – Wrigley’s Extra, Oral-B as platinum sponsors of the campaign, with further support from Polo sugar-free and Philips Sonicare.

Visit www.smilemonth.org for more information about National Smile Month.

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