WARWICKSHIRE, United Kingdom – The UK’s leading oral health charity says that England need to start playing with a smile, despite their injury problems, if they are to win the World Cup. According to the British Dental Health Foundation, smiling benefits football players as it releases natural endorphins into the blood, making them feel happier – and boosting energy levels.

Top world players like Pele and George Best were famous for playing with a smile on their face while Brazil’s Ronaldinho, the current World Player of the Year, is almost as famous for his smile as for his football skills.

Pointing to England’s last great World Cup team Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, commented: “England’s 1990 World Cup team was full of smiles and got all the way to the semi-finals of the tournament!

“Manager, Bobby Robson was well known for his smiley character while the team also boasted the star of the tournament in Paul Gascoigne – a player who never stopped smiling (apart from when he cried of course)!

“If England can start playing with a smile on their face, despite their injury problems, they will enjoy their football and the mood will spread.

“Studies have found that people who smile are more likely to be successful in the workplace – and football is no different.”

The suggestion has so far been backed by England’s improved performances when ‘best smiler’ Rooney is in the side.

However, with Michael Owens’ World Cup coming to a premature end and England looking worryingly short of striker options there aren’t too many fans smiling at the moment – but that’s nothing a good performance won’t sort out.

However, while a good performance on the pitch will be enough to get the England fans smiling, the Foundation believes that the players will have to keep their smiles looking their best if they are to keep their wives and girlfriends happy too.

Dr Carter continued: “Like the rest of us, the players need to brush twice-a-day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily and cut down on how often they have sugary foods and drinks. You can get all the things you need from our charity’s online shop if you’re not sure.

“A healthy smile is very attractive and I have no doubt that Wayne Rooney’s fiancé, Colleen McLoughlin, and the rest of the girls will be ensuring that the players are as particular with their mouths as they are with their feet…”

For all oral health products visit the Foundation charity’s independent shop: www.dentalhealthshop.org.uk

SOURCE: British Dental Health Foundation

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