Have you heard about this concept before? It’s called “Self-Care”. It’s the newest trend these days. It’s everything we want to do but need to feel better about it so we label it “self-care.” For example, if you want that new Louis Vuitton purse - buy it and call it self-care. If you really want to get hammered - drink a bunch and call it self-care. If you want to know what everyone is talking about when they refer to a show on Netflix, binge watch it and label it self-care. I remember when self-care used to mean, wash your face and cut your nails. In my post called Smiles , I recommended smiling as a no-cost gift that is easy to give to others. Now, I am recommending that we take care of our smiles and I’m calling it self-care.

I had braces on my teeth from when I was 12 to 16 yrs old. Four years of hard work. Rubber bands, horrible head gear, wax - the works. When I got my braces off, my dad told me not to mess up my teeth because my smile would take me places in life. In other words, wear my retainers. I wore my retainers up until a couple of years ago. Yes, the very SAME retainers that I got when I was sixteen. I never lost my top or bottom retainer. And yes, I was that geek who at age 48, was still afraid of messing up my teeth.

Two years ago my bottom retainer broke so I asked my kids’ orthodontist to make me a new one. He informed me that my bottom teeth had shifted and I needed to consider braces on both my top and bottom teeth. Even though my top teeth were perfect, the situation with my bottom teeth would lead to a bite problem in the future. After the consultation was finished, the assistant asked if I had any questions. I point-blank asked her, “Wouldn’t that be weird for an almost 50 year old to have completely straight teeth? I mean, how natural is that?” The assistant, who was all of 25 years old agreed - yes, it wasn’t natural. But then she asked about the jaw/bite problem. I needed to consider that because no one ever wants to have jaw issues. Especially later in life. For an entire year, I contemplated getting braces. Meanwhile, my bottom teeth have been shifting like glaciers in the Arctic Ocean.

One option was wearing Invisalign trays. There is nothing wrong with Invisalign; it is a great product. I just know myself - I will not wear clear trays for 22 out of 24 hours every day. Since I am realistic, I inquired about option 2 - the good old fashion, wire braces. The orthodontist was adamant that wire braces wouldn’t be any faster than Invisalign. He missed the point. I didn’t care about speed, I cared about complicating my lifestyle.

The hub wasn’t much help when I asked him what I should do about my teeth. He claimed that my teeth were perfect and he said, “Besides, no one ever sees your bottom teeth anyway.” I said, “I see them and every time I do, I think of my ex-boyfriend who had the most crooked bottom teeth I had ever seen.” He had to agree - that would suck to think about him every time. Finally, one morning I was on Facebook (per usual) and there was an ad for Smile Direct Club, a subsidiary of Invisalign. The marketing is brilliant because they sucked me in. What was the hook? Only wear the trays when I sleep. I’m in! Decades of my habit of sleeping with my retainers would make this a cinch. I walked away, after my free consultation with Jasmine at Smile Direct Club, feeling like a winner with all my prizes and swag.

As I rationalize why investing in my smile is self-care, I believe that my teeth matter but my bite matters more. I also think that my mental health matters and I’m pretty sure that thinking about my ex is not good for my mental health. This holiday season, I signed up for the Smile Direct Club and it’s as if I’m giving myself a Thoughtful Pinch . Mathematically, think about how many more selfies I will be taking in the years ahead. My dad was ahead of his time - long before “self-care” was the latest trend, he promised that my smile would take me places. And reflecting back throughout my life, I think my smile has taken me pretty far in life. So even though my teeth will be fake white and too straight for a 50 year old, I think it’s ok to go thru with it. I want to look back at pictures (one day I may develop some) and see that I took care of myself. And so should you! I’m sharing a teeth whitener below in case you’re considering using one that is natural.

My friend Nicole Liwienski will hook you up. Her personal weblink to order is: www.nicoleliwienski.mynuskin.com. Nicole says the following about AP24:

* It does NOT contain bleach or peroxide so it should not cause irritation.

* Great to use if you already have sensitive teeth! 

* You simply brush like you normally would!

* Safe for your enamel and everyday use.

* AP 24 stands for Anti Plaque 24hrs… prevents plaque build up and fights cavities.

* Clinical studies show a dramatic 63% change in whiteness after just ONE use!

* Children 6+ can use.

* Tastes great! Mild mint taste even kiddos love!

* Contains the same amount of fluoride as a Toms Natural toothpaste.

* Great for veneers, bonding, braces and Invisalign

* Makes your teeth feel amazing, like you just had a dental cleaning! My hygienist is amazed at how easy my cleanings are now :)

* Helps maintain whiteness if you already whiten your teeth with a whitening system

* Great for teens …. less expensive and safer than strips that have peroxide in them.

* Best part- I can keep up my coffee/wine habit because this toothpaste not only whitens, but actually prevents future stains

* Gluten Free/Sugar Free/ Cruelty Free

* Carried in over 450 Dental offices world-wide

Taking care of your smile is self-care and it’s a pinch that is meant to be shared with many people so investing in it is actually priceless.

Pinches,

Barb