Dental Care 101: Basic Oral Hygiene

     My name is Harpedy, the Tooth Faerie’s newest (and most fashionable!) apprentice, and I’m here to give all you amazing Neopians some amazing advice on how to keeping your chompers happy, healthy, and shining! So why not take a few moments to see what I have to say?

     Dental Care 101

     The most important thing about dental care is knowing what you’re taking care of! Everyone knows where their teeth are, but do you know why your teeth are? Teeth come in different shapes and sizes, perfectly adapted to the foods you’re trying to eat. Whether you’re a Grarrl who’ll eat anything, a Kyrii with a preference for fine dining, or a Lupe wanting to sink your teeth into a Chia … er, a Chia Biscuit, that is! Not all Neopians have the same dental care needs, but the advice I’m offering is generic enough that everyone should get some benefits from it.

     One important thing is to never put sharp objects in your mouth! Not only can you hurt yourself (sharp things are pointy!), but you could accidentally chip a tooth. Chipped teeth aren’t very fun, and your dentist may not be able to help you. Chipped teeth require lengthy dental procedures to fix and you may experience sensitivity that lasts your entire life. Even worse, you could accidentally knock the entire tooth out of your mouth … then you’re really in trouble!

     No matter what you think about dental care … do NOT put pointy things in your mouth!!

     It’s important to remember that even something as common as a fork or knife can cause injury. Listen, I don’t care how hungry you are—always use caution and be deliberate in your movements! No waffle is worth knocking a tooth loose!

     Brushing

     Most Neopians brush their teeth. In fact, recent surveys say that over 70 percent of Neopians brush twice a day! That’s amazing news, but can we get that last 30 percent to put in a little more effort?

     To effectively brush your teeth, you need a Super Attack Pea-sized dollop of toothpaste. Brush your teeth in a circular motion, ensuring that your front and bottom row of teeth are effectively brushed. It’s important to also brush the backside of your teeth, or the side that is facing inside your mouth. It’s a little harder, but if you brush at an upward angle, you’ll get them!

     Brushing your tongue is also vital to dental health! No one likes stinky morning breath or knowing that you snack on Rotten Cheese. Scrub your tongue carefully with the bristles, starting at the back and moving forward.

     There are lots of good toothbrushes to pick from, so the ones you use don’t really matter as long as you change them out every six months! That may seem dramatic, but you have to remember that your toothbrush cleans up all the yucky germs and foodstuffs in your mouth, so it’s best to keep them fresh.

     The Deluxe Blue Toothbrush is a great selection for all Neopians, regardless of species, size, or age! I highly recommend it as an effective, yet inexpensive option.

     Flossing

     Alright, the part that everyone hates … flossing! Unless it’s to M*YNCI’s newest hit single, it’s likely that flossing is the last thing you want to do every day. But flossing isn’t as bad as it seems, even if your dentist has passed some judgement on you!

     Flossing is beneficial because it removes plaque, which is yucky built-on junk that can cause cavities. Trust me when I say that taking a few minutes to floss between your pearly whites is a lot nicer than having to get a cavity filled.

     While it can seem tedious and slightly painful, flossing can actually help your gums. Your gums may seem sensitive because you aren’t used to having the floss near your gums; the more you do it, the less sensitive it gets. Flossing is also most effective when done BEFORE brushing, because it removes plaque that settles between teeth! Basically, brushing your teeth isn’t very effective unless you floss!

     So, how can we make flossing easier? That’s where my favourite product comes in!

     Blue Floss Pick … your new best friend!

     Floss picks are incredible because they take out the worst part of flossing. No one likes to get the floss all tangled up in their paws, try to fit their fingers into their mouths, and have the yucky wet floss stuck to them. Floss picks are easy to hold and, as a bonus, have a little toothpick at the end for those pesky pieces. It’s truly a gift from Fyora!

     Rinsing

     Oh, fluoride rinses! Did anyone else think that these were the worst parts of dentist visits? I did! But I soon realized just how important it is to rinse your teeth with mouthwash. Mouthwash gets rid of all those nasty germs that somehow managed to evade both your toothbrush and your floss pick! Not only that, but mouthwash works as a protective layer that actually strengthens your teeth. While you may not be able to use your teeth to defeat Chiazilla, he may certainly be impressed by how seriously you take dental care!

     Now, what are the best mouthwashes to use? Fluoride is a preferred pick because it helps make teeth stronger, healthier, and cleaner. But using too much fluoride (rinsing multiple times a day, for example) can actually make your teeth discoloured! While I certainly don’t recommend rinsing more than once or twice a day, you can switch to a product that contains a natural sweetener. Tooth Faerie Mouth Wash was specifically designed for that very purpose!

     Sweetens even the foulest breath … how does yours compare?

     Other Tips and Tricks

     The above advice covers the basics. But what are some other things you can do to keep your teeth at their very best?

     Eat a well-balanced diet. If the food you eat has an effect on your physical health, why wouldn’t it have an effect on your dental health? If you’re going to eat large quantities of sugary food, make sure that you floss and brush regularly. Try not to eat super-cold or super-hot foods, as that may increase tooth sensitivity.

     Avoid teeth-staining drinks. No one loves a cup of joe more than I do, but coffee and tea can take a toll on your teeth! Sip water between each swig of your favourite caffeinated concoction to ensure that minimal staining occurs.

     Wear lip balm. This may seem odd, but lip balm has been linked to keeping your mouth happy and healthy! Coconut Lip Balm is a great option. If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, you can even apply a little smidge of sunscreen on your lips! Not too much though … it doesn’t taste very good!

     And most importantly …

     VISIT YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY! Your dentist is there to help you, not hurt you! If you notice any changes in your dental health, make sure you visit your dentist immediately so that they can give you the best treatment possible. It’s good to have your teeth cleaned every six months or so and to have regular check-ups. Sitting in that chair and having someone’s paws in your mouth isn’t very fun, but neither are cavities, sensitive teeth, and bad breath! So do yourself—and everyone around you!—a favour and visit your dentist from time to time.

     Well, that’s about all the advice I have to give! What do you think? Do you practice good oral hygiene? Are there areas you could improve or things you want to try out? Trust me, I swear by the floss pick! Let me know! This has been Harpedy, your neighbourhood Tooth Faerie apprentice, signing off! Happy brushing!

     (Psst, by the way … sorry if it takes a while for your baby teeth to get picked up—I’m still training and don’t have my wings yet!)