Smiles Are The 'Most Attractive' Physical Feature

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Today is officially Valentine's Day and what do we find most attractive about our sweetheart(s)? Their smile! A national survey conducted for the American Dental Association, Crest(R) and Oral B(R) finds that Americans say that the smile outranks eyes, hair and the body as the most attractive physical feature.

Yet men and women differ when it comes to caring for their smile (i.e. taking care of their teeth and gums). The nationally representative survey of 1,000 Americans ages 18 and older found 86 percent of women brush their teeth twice or more a day, yet only 66 percent of men do so.

Sadly, all Americans need to do a better job of flossing their teeth. Only half of those surveyed (49 percent) say they floss their teeth once a day or more often. And 1 out of 3 people surveyed think a little blood in the sink after brushing their teeth is normal, yet it's not -- it could signal gum disease or another health problem.

Growing research indicates there may be an association between oral health and serious health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, underscoring the importance of good oral hygiene habits.

"We need to constantly get the word out how important it is to stay on top of your oral health," says Dr. Ada Cooper, an ADA consumer advisor and practicing dentist in New York City. "Brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, eating a balanced diet, and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep your smile healthy."

Healthcare Savings Tip-Of-The-Week
GET YOUR DOCTOR TO LISTEN TO YOU
Doctors may only listen to the first few symptoms you describe, losing interest after that. A famous 1984 study showed that, on average, patients were interrupted 18 seconds into explaining their problems, and less than 2 percent got to finish their explanations. When a doctor has incomplete patient information, this can set the stage for misdiagnosis. To protect yourself, prepare a detailed list of your symptoms in advance, as well as a list of questions to you want to askthe doctor.