New Celebrity Trend: Using a Cashmere Toothbrush. Should You?

Jessica Simpson, the dimwitted sometime pop, sometime country singer who gained fame as America’s favorite simpleton on her reality show, The Newlywed’s is at it again. I forgave Jessica for not knowing that Chicken of the Sea was really tuna fish, but I don’t think I can forgive her horrible oral hygiene.

In March, Simpson admitted her oral indiscretions, “I don’t brush my teeth,” she told a radio station “No, really! I just use Listerine — and sometimes I’ll use my sweater,” she claimed, bursting into laughter. Motioning that she uses her sweater stretched over her finger as a make shift toothbrush.

Ewww!!!! disgusting. Why would a lovely, famous, single young women admit to such a thing? That is a question this dental hygienist can not answer. Outside of running the risk of losing friends to halitosis, what is the problem with Simpson’s hygiene habits? The very short and simple answer, bacterial plaque (food debris) left on your teeth can lead to cavities and gingivitis. A wipe of your sweater may be able to remove some of the “fur” that you feel on your teeth but adequate removal of plaque is achieved when two minutes are spent brushing and with daily flossing. Listerine is helpful in removing plaque when rinsed vigorously and does have properties that decrease the bacteria that cause gingivitis but it does not take the place of regular brushing and flossing. Simpson is lucky enough to have good genetic dental genes on her side. Her dentist admitted being surprised by her lack of care. How can that be? She likely responds differently to cavity causing and periodontal causing bacteria. I doubt that luck with last forever. So make it part of your daily routine to be smarter than Jessica Simpson. See your dentist twice a year, floss daily and brush with a toothbrush, not cashmere.

Article by Cori Skiby, RDH. Cori is a dental hygienist at Legacy Dental in Salt Lake City. She is well known for her vast knowledge of pop culture and more importantly for being an excellent dental hygienist.