Dental Health Tips From a Princess

The timing of this post is kismet. ?For the past two years, ON THE SAME DAY (February 17th), I’ve been in my dentist’s chair getting emergency root canals right before the Princess Half Marathon. ?I wish I was kidding, but sadly, I’m not.

This Princess has big time dental issues and she’s not proud of it.

With the race just around the corner, and no dental appointments scheduled for me this week (huzzah!) I thought this was a great time to share my dental health story and tips. Learn from my very big mistakes, people! ?Especially?you new mommas & mommas-to-be out there.

Ever since I was a kid, people have remarked on my smile.

For a very long time, it sounded like something from “Little Red Riding Hood”:? My, what big teeth you have! ?

But soon I grew into those teeth (thank goodness) and with a little orthodontic magic, my smile has become one of my favorite features.

Thanks,?Mom and Dad!

What hasn’t been easy for me is keeping up with that smile. ?I’ve severely neglected the pearly whites at times. ?I know that sounds super lame, but it’s true.

The hardest time was going through five pregnancies practically back to back. ?I never seemed to have the time or the energy to make it to the dentist.

Especially with my first: he was born in August and by the time the temps started rising in May, I was on the couch or in the pool as soon as I hit the door after work.

Here’s a?little-known fact: pregnancy can lead to more cases of gingivitis, a gum disease that causes additional issues with your smile. So we really need to remember to get those cleanings.

Adding a bunch of kids at home didn’t help that energy or time problem either; heading to the dentist got pushed to the back burner a bit.

And I paid for it. ?Boy, did I pay for it!

To the tune of 2 root canals in two years, periodontal?deep cleanings, and a host of other smaller issues. ?I even had a tooth pulled because it was beyond saving. ?How embarrassing and totally unnecessary.

Teeth, people, they are important! ?And really NOT that hard to care for if you just do as your momma taught you so long ago. ?Yes, even when you are a momma, your momma is still right!

So heads up: ?listen to your mother, or in this case, listen to THIS mother and don’t forget some important steps for perfect teeth.

1. Brush. ?Not only will it help with clean breath and a fresh mouth, it will really help keep your teeth strong and healthy for the long run. ?Twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
2. Floss. ?And then floss some more. ?Everyone says they floss, but come on, no one really does. ?This has been a huge eye opener in recent years. ?I’ve taken to stashing a bag of flossers on my desk, in my car, in my purse, and of course in the bathroom. ?There’s never an excuse for me not to grab one and take a few minutes to floss after a meal. Discreetly, of course.
3. Visit the dentist. ?This should be a NO BRAINER. ?But do not put this off. ?I rank it up there with the annual mammogram in importance to your overall health. ?I know when I was hurting and needed those root canals, I couldn’t eat, sleep, concentrate, or work. ?That pain I allowed into my life was totally avoidable. ?How? ?By going to the dentist on a regular schedule! ?Doh!

If you don’t have a dentist and are looking, check out the?Guardian Dental site. ?They have over 108,000 providers at more than 277,000 locations nationwide*.

The website is easy to use and offers information about dentists in your area, as well as options for dental insurance should you need it.

And why would you need it? Remember how I mentioned that I paid for my lack of attention to my teeth in the past? ?Not only in pain and suffering (ha) but… in massive amounts of money.

Gulp. ?Those bills were not easy to swallow. ?I was so thankful for my dental insurance helping pick up a portion of the costs.

Guardian’s plans can help save 30% off?standard rates in most offices. Some plans will cover general cleanings and services completely. ?Be sure to check it out and see what might work best for your family.

So that’s my story. ?Years of neglect lead to a couple of years of playing catch up. ?The price was much higher in many ways than it needed to be! ?But that’s in the past; I’ve learned my lesson.

This Princess is ready to head to the ball, err, race. ?And her teeth are in tip top shape this year, thanks to insurance, flossing, and regular visits!

Do you go to the dentist regularly? ?Have you checked into dental insurance?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

*Guardian, 2015 Netminder Report.