Speaking of The Office...

Want a super simple idea that can help you avoid costly dental problems? Bring an extra toothbrush to keep and use at your office. I am asked quite often just how many times a day a person should brush their teeth...two, three? I am a firm believer that in addition to your morning and before bedtime brushing routine, if you can brush after each meal, you can help prevent a lot of cavities.

As you can probably already guess, meals and snacking throughout the workday can increase the likelihood of tooth decay and gum disease. The foods we eat throughout the day contain sugars and starches which, when left to sit on your teeth, cause an acid to form in our mouth. It is this acid which attacks the enamel on our teeth and should be brushed away after meals and snacks.

Keeping a toothbrush tucked away in your desk or in your locker at work is a great idea for a mid-day brush. Just be sure to dry it after every use and protect the bristles by keeping it in a travel case.

The Office

My wife, daughter and I are huge fans of "The Office" and we recently caught a re-run of the episode "The Delivery" where Pam and Jim have their baby.

One of the things I like best about the show's very clever writing is that when you re-watch episodes, you always seem to be able to pick up on quick little "throw-away" lines that you might have missed the first time. Case in point:

Season 6: The Delivery

Dwight: Hey, listen. I know that I'm an adult, but maybe I could come by sometime for a teeth cleaning. You know, just for fun.

Isabelle: Well, adults are supposed to go to the dentist, too.

Dwight: Are they now? Ha ha, how some people spend their money, right? Ha ha.

Isabelle: Yeah...

While this is obviously meant to be over the top and I don't think anyone is much at risk of taking their oral health advice from a character like Dwight, there does seem to be a least a thread of truth that some people share in this way of thinking and don't see the importance of routine dental visits and cleanings.

For those with general good oral health, receiving routine and preventative care every six months fits in with a health philosophy of "lifetime" maintenance and care. Following such a schedule allows me to provide you with periodic exams and x-rays as needed so that any decay from visit to visit can be spotted in earlier stages and, if necessary, can be fixed immediately, preventing further damage to the tooth.

When you receive regular, lifetime care, dental problems can be identified and fixed in small amounts, leading to a lower overall cost...despite what Dwight may think.