thoughtful pinch

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Self-Care Smile

Photo credit: Tiny Acorn Portraits

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.

I still have my original case and top retainer since 1985.

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.

Smile Direct Club gave me this free whitening kit but I haven’t used it yet because I want to use AP24 first! See below.

I spent $$ for these two tools - a water pick that is supposed to help with flossing and an electric toothbrush to help keep my brushing gentle. If I continue to brush hard, my gums will recede. I’ve used each tool once. I don’t make the time to do these important changes in my self-care routine. But I will!

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.

AP24 Whitening Toothpaste: Made by NuSkin and sold exclusively through affiliates.

* Please only purchase through NuSkin Affiliates. EXPIRED + FAKE tubes are being sold on Amazon for a few dollars less. Be sure that you are getting an authentic product by going thru an affiliate.

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

Make a Smile Self-Care Combo by adding Smile Pop Lip Gloss. Also sold thru Nicole. Here’s the link. Here’s what she says about AP24 Smile Pop Gloss: Clear lovely gloss that creates an illusion of smoother, fuller lips and a whiter smile!

www.nicoleliwienski.mynuskin.com

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