Overreacting: Dentist Edition

I am one of those weird people who LOVES going to the dentist. After having been to horrible dentists as a kid, my dad finally found us the PEFECT dentist when I was about 10. And ever since then, the dentist has been a glorious place. I never miss a 6 month checkup and began to look forward to them. I didn't have straight teeth and my parents kept putting off braces, so I ended up taking matters into my own hands. After spending a lot of money on invisalign through an orthodontist to get straight teeth, I am finally content with my smile. (Read all about my invisalign journey here: http://stephsinvisalignjourney.blogspot.com/ I blogged the entire thing!)

I recently had a 6 month checkup and was sure my teeth were going to be great because my invisalign made me more conscious of taking care of them. And I was sort of right. My teeth were great. No build up and in great shape. My gums, however, were a different story. I am pretty good about flossing. Better than I've ever been in my life, so I didn't expect that. I had my pockets measured, which wasn't particularly comfortable. Apparently they want them to be 1-3 millimeters. I had quite a few fours and fives. Which is NOT good. So basically I have to shrink them. My options are being super diligent about flossing or having them do a deep cleaning, which is expensive and sounds painful. Now this is not the part I want to focus on, even though I am totally paranoid my gums will get weak and my teeth will fall out just when I got them nice looking. (I'm probably totally overreacting, but it doesn't matter because I'm freaked..pretty sure I've decided on a waterpik flosser. Check them out here if you don't know what they are: http://www.waterpik.com/oral-health/ They seem to be the easiest way to deep clean your gums)

Totally how I felt

 

The part I want to dwell on is PAIN, ok mostly tooth education. My gums are throbbing and I'm not exactly great at dealing with pain. Don't even get me started about my dry socket after my wisdom teeth were removed. But I kind of feel like my life is a lie. Ok, exaggerating again, but still. I think taking care of your teeth is not something that we're taught enough of. Or we don't pay attention. I use a sonicare electric toothbrush, but apparently I have been brushing my teeth wrong this whole time. How does that happen? I'm 23. Did I never learn this or just ignore it? And who actually flosses every night? I'm pretty sure the majority of people don't. But it's so important. I'm sure genetics play a big role, but it just really has me thinking. So if you're one of those people, I say just get yourself in a good routine before something bad happens to your teeth. And since I'm an educator (hah), I thought I would share some tips I was amazed to learn over the years:

1) Brush your teeth at a 90 degree angle against your gums and move your brush in circles. Do not brush back and forth or only focus on the teeth. Get those gums!

2) Brush your teeth for 2 minutes, paying equal attention to each quadrant (imagine your mouth split in four equal sections...my sonicare toothbrush is awesome because it beeps after each 30 seconds so you know when to switch. The same way my clarisonic face brush works)

3) FLOSS correctly!!

4) Brush 2 times a day and mouthwash at least once a day. Bacteria is crafty and will find a way to get in your mouth! I was told antiseptic mouthwash is best for this.

5) Chewing gum after meals helps get all those things out of your mouth since you shouldn't brush after everything you eat. You don't want to wear down your enamel. But make sure it's sugar free gum. You don't want to add extra sugar to your teeth!

Anyway, just had to get that off my chest. Hope it helps somebody! I will definitely be spending extra time on my oral care, even though I already spend probably more time than the average person. Oh well, I guess my gums just require extra care. As my little sisters say, "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit"