This Valentine�s Day show some love to one of the most underappreciated things in your life:� your smile.� Among other reasons they are important, your teeth are reason you can chew delicious food, speak properly, and make a good first impression when you interview for a job.� Unfortunately, teeth often go neglected for years.� Although they can withstand a great deal of neglect and abuse, they will eventually have problems if you don�t show them a little kindness.� To strengthen or rebuild your relationship with your chompers, I suggest the following ideas:
1.�� �Spend time with them.� Perhaps the most important things you for your teeth are the easy things.� You hear this advice over and over, but regular brushing and flossing will keep your teeth clean and prevent bad things from happening.� I can�t tell you how many people I�ve met who regret not starting these habits early.� You might think your teeth are okay without these habits for a while, but neglecting your home care will always lead to cavities or gum disease.
2.�� � Be gentle with them.� You might think hard, vigorous brushing equates to doing a thorough job.� You�re wrong.� Too many people scrub their teeth very hard and some people even use brushes with stiff bristles to do so.� Brushing should feel more like a gum massage than anything.� Take it easy on your teeth.� They�ll be just as clean and feel much better.
3.�� �Get them a fancy gift.� I used to believe that with a little time and effort, manual toothbrushes can be just as good as electric toothbrushes.� I�ve been amazed how good the technology is getting in recent years though.� We�re at the point where I fully confess that electric toothbrushes are much better than manual toothbrushes for any given person.� My personal favorite line of electric brushes comes from Sonicare.� They make amazing brushes for both children and adults that are well worth the money.� I�ll never go back to normal brushes.
4.�� �Think of them throughout the day.� Although you might not be able to do a full tooth cleaning after lunch or while at work, at least do something.� Carry a brush and some paste in your car or in your desk at work.� If nothing else, at least drink water frequently to wash away as many of those food particles as possible.� A little thoughtfulness for your teeth goes a long way.
5.�� �Take them on a date to the dental office.� Going to the dentist is important even if you rarely have cavities.� As a dental professional, I feel like I have a very good handle on oral health, but when my hygienists clean my teeth, they always find little nooks and crannies where plaque builds in my mouth.� If even a dentist can admit needing a hygienist, I�m pretty sure the rest of the population would benefit from seeing them frequently.� Additionally, becoming a frequent flyer at the dental office assures you that problems can be caught early when they might be easier and cheaper to fix.
-Nicolas K. Young, DMD
