This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Aspen Dental. All opinions are 100% mine.
I heard a saying once that really hit home for me; "Ignore your teeth and they'll disappear." Think about that for a moment and let it sink in: if you don't take care of your teeth, they'll fall out. Can you imagine what it must be like to try to eat without your teeth? I have a little firsthand experience with dental issues; after a few years without dental insurance, I finally went to see a dentist this year...and found out that I needed a lot of dental work! I didn't have any cavities, but I had five (yes, five!!!) fillings due to receding gums and fractured teeth. It turns out that I'm a grinder...while I went back and forth to the dentist to correct year's worth of neglect, I developed an abscess that led to an infection and spent a very painful week before it was determined that I had to have an emergency root canal. It was some of the worst pain of my life, and to add insult to injury, I spent almost $2,000 in emergency dental services. All of that pain and stress on my wallet could have been avoided if I had seen the dentist on a regular basis for check ups!
I'm not the only one who waited a little too long to visit the dentist - a recent study revealed that more than 150 million Americans didn't see a dentist last year, either due to struggles finding a dentist or because they just didn't see the importance of regular dental check ups.
To really drive this point home, Aspen Dental is launching "A Taste of the Future" campaign with NASCAR driver Danica Patrick to really show us the correlation between taking care of our oral health and our future overall health. Aspen Dental put Danica Patrick behind the wheel of a food truck and had her serve "easy eats" to customers...only, they were served as unconventional smoothies! These liquid meals were to be a reminder of the startling consequences of avoiding the dentist.
Imagine eating Chinese take out in smoothie form...
Beef and broccoli, white rice and fried noodles are my favorite thing to eat when we order Chinese take out...
But not so much in smoothie form. GAG.
Can you imagine not being able to eat your favorite foods? While I was dealing with my dental issues, I couldn't eat any really solid food...it was pure torture! While it was only a few weeks of sensitivity, I wasn't able to eat anything crunchy or really chewy because it was too painful. Then it was a full week of not being able to eat any solid food - and I do mean ANY. I lived off of pudding, yogurt, soup and smoothies. So while it was only a short period of time, I am fully aware of what it is like not to be able to use your teeth to eat. The funny thing is that I love smoothies and make them almost daily, but after that experience...I never want to see a smoothie again!
Don't let this happen to you. Smoothies are fantastic but they're not nearly as appetizing when it's the ONLY thing you can eat - I mean, drink.
If it's been a while since you've gone to see a dentist, what are you waiting for? Whether you're having a hard time just locating a dentist, are worried about the cost, or are just nervous about sitting in the dentist's chair, Aspen Dental can help! Aspen Dental is one of the largest and fastest-growing networks of dental care providers in the United States and they provide millions of Americans with access to quality, affordable dental care. Key words being QUALITY and AFFORDABLE.
For more information about maintaining good oral health and to view the “A Taste of the Future” video featuring Danica Patrick, visit www.ATasteOfTheFuture.com!
Remember, if you ignore your teeth, they'll disappear...
Amy Desrosiers
This campaign is really eye opening! I am grossed out but it make sense!
Our Family World
Every time I see one of these smoothies it just makes me gaga. And to do that to Chinese food, that is a crime.
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita
And THAT is why I take such good care of my chompers. P.S. I threw up a little bit in my mouth. Blech!
diane
Okay, the idea of pureed meals does gross me out completely! Very eye opening!
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
That's a wise saying, and so true. I tell my kids that all the time, if they don't care for their teeth, they'll fall out. Seriously. Wise words ...
Danielle
Oh my! Smoothie form of most foods other than fruits and a few vegetables is pretty nasty. I'm usually pretty good about going to the dentist and have been lucky enough not to need major work, considering my very first trip to the dentist was in 10th grade. However, I have definitely been slacking this last year. I would hate to lose my teeth.
Chelley @ AisForAdelaide
Informative... and gross! These smoothies make me feel ill! Oral care is so important- thank you for shining an important light on it!
Meagan
That's pretty gross! Nice way to bring the point across!
Shauna
How gross... Ha! We just took the kids last month and they all did great. Only one cavity.
Amy Desrosiers
This is really gross, but I see what you are saying. I cannot imagine my life without my teeth!
Marcie W.
Be right back, I need to schedule a checkup and cleaning with my dentist. I will admit I do not visit as often as I should but seeing a blended meal definitely makes me want to change that.
Liz Mays
Yikes I definitely would not want that. I'm definitely keeping up with the dentist.
Elizabeth @ Being MVP
Wow those meal smoothies look gross. Definitely a must to take care of your teeth!
Maureen
Oh yuck! That certainly makes me actually want to go to the dentist!!
Sarah @ Must Have Mom
Eww, point taken! I will be scheduling an appointment asap!
Nancy @ Whispered Inspirations
What a great reminder! WE really need to take care of our teeth before they are gone.
Stacey- Travel Blogger
I can't imagine only being able to eat liquid foods! It must have been tough.
Allie D.
I am so glad that I have gotten our family in the habit of going to the dentist twice a year. My husband had fillings that had been neglected for a couple of years. If it weren't for making him see a dentist last year, he would have had that emergency root canal too. I will be showing him this post, so he has a reminder that he won't be able to eat his food if he avoids the dentist.
Ann Bacciaglia
We go to the dentist twice a year for cleanings and check ups. I would not want to have only liquid meals. I have taught the kids that they have to take care of the only teeth they have.
Lisa Bristol
Dental care is so important to teach your kids. We always go twice a year to have our teeth checked for cavities.
Aimee Smith
Yuck, I will leave the baby food to my baby! My husband is a dentist so he keeps pretty good abs on me!
Emily
I know the ignore your teeth statement very well. I was too poor to afford the care I needed and ended up losing two teeth as a result. Dental health is so expensive when you don't have insurance.
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
I have SO many issues with the dentist, but mainly it;s that I am TERRIFIED. I need to take better care of my teeth.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle
Oh that is nasty! Good thing I keep my chompers in order. Blech.
Megan Elford
That video is hilarious! It really makes the point very well - taking care of our teeth is SO important! Thanks for the reminder!
Digna
We are always looking for new recipes for smoothies since we got my hubby a smoothie maker. Thank you for sharing.