Don’t Forget About Your Teeth!

by | Jun 19, 2014 | Tips & Tricks | 7 comments

I went to the dentist for a checkup the other day for the first time in years. (They’re expensive you know!) Well, I was pretty scared that I was going to have cavities. You see, because I’m traveling around a lot, I am not always in the position to brush my teeth every single day, let alone after most meals. What do you do after a snack on board an airplane? It’s sort of impossible to keep my teeth clean on long road trips. Do I tote toothpaste and a toothbrush on every single hike I take? What about during an intense Event Photography Workshop? if I have time to actually eat a sit-down meal during the day I think of myself as doing pretty well.

You get the point. When I’m on the go, it’s the last thing on my mind to keep my teeth clean. But I don’t think this sort of lifestyle can be used as an excuse to let your teeth go bad. I’m no dentist, but I do know that cavities and teeth problems can be avoided if you eat right. You see, at my appointment they said I was doing just fine; no sign of cavities. Healthy. Even surprisingly healthy, they seemed to imply.

So what do I do? Well, I don’t let refined sugar be the last thing I eat! I never snack on candy or M&Ms all day, or even part of a day. Eat your desert and then clean out your mouth with something God made, like an apple, a stick of celery, or some dried apricots. Make a point of it. God made things “natural” for a reason. It’s amazing how many things have refined sugar in them, so I check the label before I buy. Most canned fruit doesn’t make the cut. I love juice, so I buy the 100% stuff. I don’t like drinking carbonated beverages any more, and I make sure to drink lots of water. Sure, natural food is more expensive, but I’m sure glad I don’t have to go back to the dentist for a while.

I also suggest having a little thing of floss handy everywhere you go. They say if you can’t do both, flossing is better than brushing. And thankfully, flossing is quite a bit more manageable on the go.

No, this doesn’t have much to do with photography, but it’s one of those things that every busy photographer should consider. It’s easy to forget about everything else in life when you’re behind the camera. Just don’t forget about your teeth for too long.

2078_Blue Ridge Parkway (near MP83)-Virginia-USA_Canon EOS 5D Mark II, 40 mm, 0.6 sec at f - 22, ISO 50

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7 Comments

  1. tendo steven

    wow i like your observations man! i have cavity which has even become a problem now due to eating of too much sweet stuff…..
    But i have borrowed a leaf from you…coz am also on the go all the time….
    the photo is good on your page….

    Reply
  2. Mom

    I agree wholeheartedly!

    Reply
    • James Staddon

      It was probably from you that I even got the idea, Mom. 🙂 Now that I am starting to see “the long run”, I will never be able to thank you enough for encouraging me to eat more healthily!

      Reply
  3. Donald S.

    Yes, great advice for many active professions. I still remember reading advice from someone who had lived an exceptionally long life saying much the same thing. It’s clear you’ll be more likely to stay in photography long range with this kind of outlook.

    Reply
  4. Sandra

    Lol! Awesome points, James!

    Reply

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