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Make Your Teeth a BIG Deal

April 4, 2016 By Lena

Confession: I’m only *mildly* obsessed with my teeth.

I brush and floss twice a day and use an interdental pick to get in between my bonded retainer. I rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once daily and visit my dentist like clockwork every four months. I used to whiten my teeth aggressively with at-home whitening strips, a practice I abandoned in recent years, preferring to simply stay on top of my oral hygiene for a more natural look.

odaAnd what can I say? I have a great smile.

April is Oral Health Month! If it’s been a while since you’ve seen your dentist, now would be a perfect time to make an appointment. Regular dentist visits are the very best way to detect oral (and overall) health problems you might not know you have, and prevent them before they start.

Need a little more convincing? Here are 10 Reasons to Make Your Teeth a Big Deal!

1. Your Appearance. *Of course, * I’m going to get a little vain here. Your smile lights up your face; it’s high on the list of “attractive qualities” for both men and women alike. Your smile is also part of your first impression, which is essential for both social and professional interactions.

2. Your Self-Esteem. Oral health affects physical, mental and social well-being. If you have tooth pain, are missing teeth or experience frequent tooth infections, it can have an impact on how you speak, eat and socialize. Keeping your teeth in optimal condition goes a long way to boost your self-esteem. 

3. Your Health. Your mouth is a window into what’s going on in the rest of your body, often serving as a vantage point for detecting the early signs and symptoms of systemic disease. Your dentist is trained to look for mouth lesions, gum inflammation, salivary changes or other tell-tale signs of systemic problems.

4. Your Health (Part 2). Long-term gum infection can eventually result in the loss of your teeth, but there may also be an association between gum infections and poorly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular disease and if you’re pregnant, preterm birth.

5. Your Love Life. We all want to get a little closer to the ones we love! Good oral hygiene ensures fresh breath and a kissable pout. Chewing gum only masks odours caused by plaque bacteria – there is no substitute for regular brushing and flossing!

6. Your Comfort. Digestion begins with physical and chemical processes in the mouth. The action of chewing mechanically breaks down food, and saliva contains enzymes to help further digestion. Problems with your teeth or bite can lead to irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders.

7. Your Time. Seeing a dentist proactively every 4-6 months is about 2-3 hours of your time per year. You can make that happen, agreed? Of course, you can. Seeing a dentist or periodontist after years of neglect will undoubtedly take up hours more in time, hassle and recovery.

8. Your Wallet. Most dental diseases, including tooth decay, are easier to treat and cost less if detected early. Regular visits to the dentist are essential for addressing small problems before they become big (financial) ones!

9. Your Responsibility. If you’re a parent, set a good example for your children by practicing exemplary oral hygiene. Together, make wise food choices, create a diligent brushing and flossing routine, and take them to see a dentist early and regularly.

10. Your 2036 Avatar. What will your profile photo look like in 20 years? Will you be smiling for the camera? I hope so! Making your teeth a big deal now helps ensure good oral health and vitality for years to come!

Are you inspired to give your teeth a little extra TLC? Call your dentist to book your next appointment today! Don’t have a dentist? Click here.

Although this post has been generously sponsored by The Ontario Dental Association, the opinions and language are my own.

Filed Under: Beauty Tagged With: Beauty, Ontario Dental Association, Ontario Dentist, oral health

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Judy Cowan

    April 4, 2016 at 10:21 am

    My teeth get lots of TLC, I am all for oral health care!

  2. Lynda Cook

    April 4, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    Looking after your teeth is very important and should be passed on to the young ones at a very early age!!

  3. kathy downey

    April 4, 2016 at 3:02 pm

    Oral health is very important for overall health,thanks for all the infomation

  4. Marissa

    April 4, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Thanks for all the helpful information on oral health. I see my dentist every four months and take oral health very seriously.

  5. Athena

    April 4, 2016 at 7:17 pm

    Your teeth are so important! I feel like I’m constantly after the kids to take care of their teeth!!

  6. Debbie Bashford

    April 5, 2016 at 6:24 am

    It is important, wish it weren’t so expensive

  7. Chandra O'Connor

    April 15, 2016 at 4:50 am

    I’m obsessed with my teeth too. I’ve been told by a dentist to slow down on my flossing because I do it so often that I am wearing down the gums. I could floss through a whole tv show,

  8. Melinda Jana

    May 31, 2016 at 1:38 pm

    I actually enjoy going to the dentist, minus the expense of course.

  9. amy s

    June 10, 2016 at 6:14 pm

    I really need to find a safe and affordable way to REALLY whiten my teeth :D

  10. Nate H

    June 25, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    It is very important to have a regular check up at the dentist

  11. Terri Baker

    June 30, 2016 at 9:07 am

    Oral health is really important; it affects your overall health and who doesn’t want a great smile.

  12. Treen Goodwin

    June 30, 2016 at 10:33 am

    Oral health is very important , i think i over brush my kids teeth sometimes lol , you have a beautiful smile Lena :)

  13. Susan T.

    July 17, 2016 at 7:14 pm

    If my dentist gave out awards to adults I would get a gold star! Lol! Having a healthy smile is super important to me!

  14. Anne Taylor

    July 22, 2016 at 3:09 pm

    I am so not obsessed with my teeth. I can’t stand the dentist, (understatement really). I remember when I was 12 I was running around the outside of the dentist’s office with my mom trying to wrangle me inside lol

  15. Donna Wilson

    July 31, 2016 at 6:20 am

    Great advice for oral health!

  16. DARLENE WISSENZ

    August 18, 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Every 3 months hubby and I go to the dentist for a cleaning between that we brush floss and use mouthwash

  17. Debbie White Beattie

    October 19, 2016 at 11:04 pm

    I’ve been lucky to have straight teeth and when I was younger my teeth were always bright white but I’ve found that as I get older there not as bright.

  18. Calvin

    July 29, 2018 at 12:44 pm

    Yes oral hygiene is utmost important.

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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