I’m not sure if this is exclusively a New York anxiety thing, but I had to get a gum graft done and a bunch of my friends have had to have the same procedure. This isn’t something people usually need until they’re 50-60 I’m told and occurs when your gums start to wear down. In my case – and that of my friends – it’s because we’re so anxious we brush our teeth too aggressively. Let’s file that under things you never thought you had to worry about…
When my dentist told me about this he also told me that I should start using mouthwash at least once a day as it would not only help prevent plaque and gingivitis by killing germs, it will help with the sensitivity I was feeling because of my thin gums (it’s key, he says, to look for a mouthwash with fluoride, which incidentally also helps prevent tooth decay). The tough part for me is that I don’t like mint and most mouthwashes are not only minty, but they are very strong and for them to be optimally effective you have to gargle for about thirty seconds…eeck! It helps to look for a mouthwash that is formulated without alcohol (especially since alcohol also dries out your mouth). Not worried about your gums? You’ll still want to consider adding mouthwash into your routine as it will work with floss to help clean the crevices in between your teeth. It really, really sucks when you have problems with your teeth – there’s no better way to say it – so why not take all the precautionary measures you can, especially when it’s something as simple as rinsing your mouth? Check-out this wash from Rembrandt, which will also help whiten your teeth.