Smile, and you might just live longer!

Folks with big smiles may actually live longer than those who don’t, according to a March 2010 study at Michigan’s Wayne State University. Drs. Paul Ouellette, Jason Ouellette and Ryan Collins have known for quite some time that positive emotion has been linked to both physical and mental health, but researchers at the university did something quite interesting: they looked at photos of 230 ball-players who began their careers in baseball prior to 1950 and studied their smile intensity (ranging from 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 took into account other factors that impact life longevity, including body mass index, career length and even college attendance.

The results? Researchers found that players who weren't smiling in the photos 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.
The take-away from the new study? Smile now, smile often and you might just live longer! Have you been perfecting your smile by visiting Dental Specialists on a regular basis? If not, give us a call!

Ask Drs. Ouellette & Collins: What's the deal with Halloween treats?

For parents worried about kids going overboard on candies, sugar and other sweets, Halloween is a dreaded annual event.

All those sweet, sour and sticky candies may taste great, but these treats are known to damage teeth, as well as braces! Did you know sour candies can be acidic to your teeth, and actually wear down the enamel that protects them? This can cause tooth decay and cavities! Sour and fruity candy, such as Starburst and Skittles, are the worst for your child’s teeth since these candies have a low pH value, which can ruin enamel. In addition, we also want your child to steer clear of sticky, chewy, gummy and nutty treats.

So what's a parent to do?

As Halloween draws nearer, try to limit the amount of these candies that your child eats, and when your child does eat them, either have him or her rinse their mouth with water afterward or have them drink some milk or eat a slice of cheese. Lastly, we encourage you to check out these braces-friendly (and delicious) Halloween treats, provided by the AAO.

Hope this helps! Ask us on Facebook if you have any questions!

Ask Dr. Ouellette: Who benefits from getting braces?

Ask Dr. Paul Ouellette, and he'll tell you that braces aren’t just for pre-adolescents and teenagers anymore! Anyone, at any age, can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it’s correcting a problem not treated in your younger years, or catching a problem early.

To ensure the best overall treatment, our friends at the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that children receive an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense down the road.

If you never received orthodontic treatment when you were young, don’t worry! At the Dental Specialists, you’re never too old for a beautiful smile! Set up an appointment for a complimentary consultation by calling 321-453-7750 and find out how orthodontics will transform your smile, as well as your life!

Dr. Paul Ouellette, reminding you to wear your mouth guard this summer

With the summer winding down, Dr. Paul Ouellette and our staff at the Dental Specialists would like to take this moment to remind all our young athletes in orthodontic treatment to take care of both your mouth and appliances while participating in contact sports (and non-contact sports) this August. Whether you're playing toch-football in the backyard or participating in full-contact football practice, only by using a mouth guard can kids with and without braces avoid serious sports injuries. The next time you're in for a visit with Drs. Ouellette or Collins, be sure to ask them or our staff for a mouth guard, and we will provide one!

We hope you're enjoying your summer so far!