iRene kim beauty: Teeth and my love of Dental Floss

"The World Always Looks Brighter From Behind a Smile"

So after over 1.5 years of not going to the dentist, I finally found time in my busy schedule to go to my old dentist in NYC. I hadn't been to him in 9 years, but he's still as awesome as I remember. He's kind, patient (even when I flinch at every move he makes), and he makes things as comfortable for me as possible (Even handing me an ELLE magazine to calm down when he went to check out my X-Rays).

So I was EXTREMELY nervous that I had at least 5 cavities and a few root canals (Yes, This has happened to me before... Probably the only teeth that haven't been worked on are my front teeth) After months of passing out on my couch and having to brush my teeth at 6 in the morning when I woke up (Gross... I know... but I was exhausted!), eating tons of candy all the time, and feeling spasms of pain over the course of the year... I was soooo nervous of what the outcome would be.

I was ECSTATIC to find out that not only were my teeth in pretty good condition, but I had NO cavities! Now that may be a normal thing for you, but this has happened maybe 2 or 3 times before in my life. I ALWAYS have something wrong with my teeth.... And it drives me nuts because I normally (sans the past few months) brush my teeth with extreme care and floss everywhere.

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Now how did I have this horrible dental lifestyle and come out with no cavities you ask? DENTAL FLOSS! I floss religiously. It drives my friends nuts. They always yell at me because I'll floss anywhere. It seems to annoy them the most when I do it in the car ~ "OH MY GOD, IRENE! That's so disgusting!!!! Do you HAVE to do that now?!?!" My response to them. "YES" =D

I never used to be a religious flosser, but I picked it up at some point in college. I think it was because I have extremely tiny teeth and when things get stuck in there, toothpicks don't get them out. I floss after every meal, when my teeth feel grimy, or when I eat some sticky candy (although I usually try to brush since floss doesn't always get all the candy out).

Once you floss, you never go back. It seriously becomes an addiction... but a good one! You're teeth are cleaner, you feel refreshed, and you're (apparently) preventing cavities from forming! And if you get the minty kind, you'll get fresher breath (Say No to Bad Breath!)

I like to use ORAL B Essential Floss because it's thin so it doesn't get caught between your teeth, its packaging is small and convenient (so you can carry it wherever you go), and it's cheaper than most dental flosses. If you look in my beauty closet, you'll probably find 3-4 new flosses lying around... and I DO go through all of them.

My advice to you... Floss. It takes less than a minute, and it'll be so much better for you! And you only get two sets of teeth (Your first set are already gone...)

Oh yeah... I'd been using the Crest Spin Brush and apparently it may have led to my receding gums (oh well.. better than a receding hairline, no?) Because it goes in a circular motion, it can be too tough on the gums. My dentist said a mechanical toothbrush isn't necessary, but if you do use one, to use the SONICARE because it vibrates.

If you use a manual, use a soft brush. Medium and Hard Bristles can be too tough on the gums. I told him I'm going back to my favorite toothbrushes from Korea~ the CLIO. If you can find these babies in an Asian supermarket, I highly suggest you buy them. They're AWESOME!

So... go to your dentist every 6 months, brush and floss daily, and stay away from hard brushes! And most importantly.... SMILE!!!!! =D