In case I have not made it clear I am a serious hypochondriac, but can’t seem to find the time to worry. That may be a good thing. Unfortunately, I also don’t often find the time to shower, eat, or have an intellectual conversation with my husband (that might not be a time thing). And now this comes up and kicks me right in the teeth. If we as a nation don’t start to floss, the outlook is pretty grim.
In the past two weeks alone I think I have read like 15 articles about flossing, and an entire chapter in my required Dr. Oz reading. It seems that flossing can not only cause the ever dreaded gingivitis which I am already up countless nights worrying about but, it can harm your teeth, your heart, your arteries, your lungs and one article may have claimed it could harm your cat. (Unless I misunderstood it, which I doubt.)
We’re really being inundated with the flossing thing? It shows up in every one of those keep healthy/young/skinny/sane/better than everyone else, kind of lists. Its like:
1. Don’t smoke 2. Don’t drink excessively 3. Floss Daily 4. Don’t commit murder 5. Don’t covet thy neighbor’s wife. Not always in that order, but you get my drift.
The whole to-do has made me increasingly fearful of not flossing. Each night as I drag my tired ass into the bathroom to wash up, I look down and there it is right next to my sonicare, ominously staring up at me. The box practically opening and shutting puppet-like begging me “Don’t forget me…I’ll be the end of you…I’m mint flavored/waxed…think about your heart, your gums, your cat!” It’s the same every night. “Tomorrow,” I say “I promise tomorrow.” Why something so simple seems so hard, so time consuming, so dorky… I do not know. All I’m saying is that I am going to floss everyday from now on, starting tomorrow.
This was very funny, I could just picture the floss jumping up and begging you to use it. You could get a water pic, this works to, but you still have to remember to use it. It’s a good thing your not a Dentist. I really enjoyed this article. Can’t wait for more…and I took time out of my busy day to read this because I can’t miss any article you write because they make my day.
This is the type of thing you’ll have to just grin and bare. Because if you think about it, it’s like beating a dead horse with a bush while one hand is still in it holding two birds.
Are you the singing bush?
Very cute. Love the reference to Dr. Oz…Your Blog looks great. I’m very proud of you.
Flossing always makes me think of that scene from “Peggy Sue Got Married” when the grandfather says the one thing he would’ve done over is to take better care of his teeth. Maybe you should consider some screen writing?!!! Gotta run now to Duane Reade to buy floss….Anna
he will kill me for writing this…but, twice a year, my husband visits the dentist.
in anticipation of the appt. he starts flossing…as if he’s playing catch up or something.
there is floss all over the bathroom (always misses the trash can), on his nightstand, and the other day in my daughters hand as she played with her dolls.
I really very liked this post. Can I copy it to my blog?
Thank you in advance.
Sincerely, Your Reader.
I believe 2-3 cleanings a year were adequate and my flossing was random. Dr. Oz said it most effectively for me by saying he believed you could add 6 years to your life by flossing daily. The dentists recommended it with the cleanings but did not, for me, scare me like Dr. Oz and motivate the now daily flossings. I also find I have a hidden cavity that I have denied and can no longer procrastinate the inevitable. I have to wonder if I would have eliminated the 5-09 heart attack if I had. Regretful but still here. John
[...] wink.) I don’t often write about serious issues. (Though my Earth shattering post on the perils of not flossing definitely deserved some sort of award.) Well, I was wondering the same thing, but it seems that [...]