IT doesn't cost a penny and can make someone's day. Today is the start of National Smile Week and dentists across the country are urging people to take better care of their pearly whites.
The week has been organised in a bid to increase awareness of the benefits of better oral health care.
And it's not just dentists who think smiling is good.
Donna Wickramasinghe, a psychotherapist from Covingham, believes people should give each other a grin more often.
"Smiling helps to release endorphins and makes people feel better," she said.
"It's all to do with being happy at a basic level.
"If you smile at another person there's a good chance they might smile too.
"I don't think people smile enough."
Patrick Holmes is a Swindon dentist and also spokesman for the North Wiltshire branch of the British Dental Health Foundation, which has organised National Smile Week.
He said: "This event is a good idea. And it's nice when people smile at each other.
"A smile is friendly and it costs nothing.
"Also it's a chance to show off your beautiful teeth."
He said that there are three factors which are key to looking after teeth and protecting your smile.
He said: "We need to watch the amount of sugar we eat and be very careful about fizzy drinks. Even fizzy diet drinks are bad for the teeth. People having diet drinks think they are doing the right thing.
"I don't know whether to laugh or cry laugh because it keeps me busy, and cry because of the harm those drinks cause."
The second factor is to make sure you don't skimp on home care.
Mr Holmes said: "People should make sure they brush their teeth twice a day, and not be too lazy or in too much of a rush in the morning." The third thing to remember is regular trips to the dentist to make sure your mouth stays healthy and clean.
Children at Jigsaw day nursery in Abbey Meads will be playing their part in National Smile Week.
Tomorrow a dentist will be visiting the nursery to explain what the children have to do to keep their teeth tip-top.
Nicola Hall, nursery manager, said: "It is important that children learn about how to keep their teeth clean and healthy."
"The day will be full of fun and educational activities promoting good dental care."
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