August 6 - Fresh Breath Day

I used to not be too worried about how my breath smelled. After researching fresh breath tips for today's holiday, I am now very paranoid that I have halitosis and am offending those around me. I will now take to carrying various herbs, toothpastes, mouthwash and tongue scrapers with me wherever I go.

Remedies for bad breath fall into three categories:
-Avoiding certain foods/substances
-Basic routine dental care
-Dealing with bad breath when it happens

If you wish to avoid bad breath, avoid consuming:
Garlic (and garlic powder)
Onions (and onion powder)
Fish
Milk
Cheese
Liquor
Coffee
Sugary foods
Processed foods
Stimulants
Cigarettes

To avoid bad breath, follow these regular dental care tips:
Brush and floss regularly.
Scrape or brush your tongue also.
See a dentist regularly.
Use mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide.
Check for signs of gingivitis and other dental problems.
Store toothbrush head down in a lidded plastic tumbler of hydrogen peroxide. Rinse very well before use.
Gargle with 1 tsp honey and cinnamon mixed in hot water in the morning.
Drink water throughout the day.
Eat "active culture" yogurt every day. This will help eliminate any traces of internally generated bad breath.
Drink tea.
The acids and fiber in fruits and vegetables can help kill much of the bacteria in your mouth. Another reason to eat more fruits and veggies every day!
Some medications may cause halitosis as a side effect - see if you can switch if it is a major issue.

Bad breath is bound to happen, even with careful dental hygiene. When it happens, try these tips:
Chew parsley, mint, fennel, ginger, basil, or cloves.
Drink water with lemon.
Eat an apple.
Gargle with salt water.
Gargle with mouthwash or have sugar-free mint or gum. Sugary gums or mints feed oral bacteria (bad for teeth and breath).
Whiskey will help kill the germs causing bad breath, but don't overdo it, it can worsen the problem.
Rinse mouth with water, then use a dry paper towel to rub your teeth. Rinse again. If towel is rough enough, use it to rub tongue clean.
Eat various mixed vegetables mixed into a mashed potato-like mush; vegetables like mushrooms, carrots and others work well.
Drink vodka after consuming onion/garlic.

Happy Fresh Breath Day!
Tips from the following pages:
Wikihow.com
Wikihow.com
Wikihow.com
Save Your Smile
GetRidofThings.com
Bad Breath Research

December 12 - Gingerbread House Day

December 12 - Gingerbread House Day

This year I wanted to build a gingerbread house with my boyfriend. He agreed, but with one stipulation: that he be allowed to eat it as soon as we finished making it. Really.

So instead of going to all the trouble of constructing this thing only to have it immediately demolished, I made gingerbread cookies in the shape of a house, and we decorated those. Not only was he allowed to eat them right away, I made them softer, since usual "construction" gingerbread is, by necessity, very hard and not exactly toothsome. (Yes, I just said toothsome. It's a real word, look it up if you don't believe me.)

November 23 - You're Welcomegiving Day

The best thing about Thanksgiving is the food. And the best thing about the day after Thanksgiving is therefore the leftovers. Not the shopping.

The day after Thanksgiving is known to some as You're Welcomegiving Day (obviously), Buy Nothing Day (amen sista!), and Sinkie Day (meaning you eat your leftovers standing up over the kitchen sink). It's also known as Flossing Day, which is good, cuz I'm sure you forgot to floss last night. I know I did.

I personally celebrate Buy Nothing Day and Sinkie Day (although I will probably be eating while sitting on the couch, not leaning over the sink). I love turkey and stuffing sandwiches. Yes, I put a bread product on my bread with my turkey. I don't care. I love it. It is the best thing about the holidays. I can do without Christmas presents and pretty decorations, but I must have my turkey-stuffing leftover sandwiches.

Since moving to LA, I have had holidays without snow, but I will not go without my special sandwiches. It just wouldn't be right. I don't expect you to understand, just don't make fun of me. Now go floss your teeth and leave me to my gluttony.

Brush Your Teeth!

It's National Dental Hygiene Month, people, so start brushing! And flossing too. I have an appointment for a dental cleaning at the end of the month; when I realized this, I began to furiously brush and floss like I should have been doing for years.

I always do this right before a dental visit. I try to make up for all the times I should have been brushing but just went to bed instead. I get nervous about facing the dental hygienist. My SO's mother is a dental hygienist and I feel like she is judging me vicariously through the dental hygienist who is working on my teeth. Even though she is 2000 miles away.

After a trip to the dentist, I continue to brush and floss religiously, for about a week. I always imagine that I will keep up with it, but I never do.

So keep those teeth clean. But if you don't it's ok. You don't have to worry. Tomorrow is the International Moment of Frustration Scream Day, so you can let it all out then. But you may want to wait until after work. Your boss may not understand.