Does Smiling Run in Your Family?

Does Smiling Run in Your Family?

Sometimes we come across people that can only be described as having a genuinely bubbly and positive personality. It seems to just ooze from their pores, while the rest of us aren’t always able keep a smile on our faces. Perhaps you are the person we’re describing that can’t seem to stop from smiling. There’s always the argument of nature vs. nurture. Some say people are just born this way, others say they are conditioned by their environment. Those who say it’s all environment may have to rethink their position according to a recent study. At Prescott Dentistry, your dentist in Prescott, AZ, we strive to keep your smile in tip top shape, but keep reading if you are interested in knowing why some of us are prone to sporting that smile a bit more often.

As it turns out this tendency to smile and find pleasure in the simpler things in life could be based in our genes. A recent study suggests that people with short alleles of the gene 5-HTTLPR tended to laugh and smile more often than those with the long allele variant of the gene. It is believed that this gene regulates the neurotransmitter that is involved with social behavior, mood, appetite, memory, fun, sleep and sexual desire – serotonin.

These findings correspond with a study done previously that demonstrated people with these same short alleles show more empathy towards their partner’s emotions, whether they were negative or positive. It has been made evident between these two studies that the short allele of 5-HTTLPR can intensify emotional reactions whether they are positive or negative. Whether you have the long or short allele variant of this gene, it is still vital to have healthy teeth. So take a moment to contact Prescott Dentistry and schedule your biannual visit today!

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (7/17/2015) Andrea Rose (Flickr)