Celebrate National Dentist Day

National Dentist Day

You may never have heard about National Dentist Day which falls on March 6^th. At first, it might seem odd to celebrate this medical profession, especially as so many people unfortunately fear going into the dentist office. However, a little reflection on just how much your dentist does for you will show you how much they deserve to be acknowledged and recognized for all they do.

What Is National Dentist Day?

Becoming a dentist is a very respected career choice, and requires a lot of hard work and studying. While it might seem like being a dentist is a fairly new profession, in fact, the first dentist in recorded history was an Egyptian named Hesy Ra, who is thought to have lived and practiced his dentistry in Egypt around 2600 BCE. However, the French surgeon Pierre Fuachard, known as the “Father of Modern Dentistry” didn’t appear until 1723.

While the profession is extremely old, it has evolved greatly as time has gone on and medical technology progresses. Dentists devote their time and brainpower to developing new and improved ways to take care of our teeth.

Why Celebrate Your Dentist?

A dentist does an extremely important job. Have you ever had any tooth pain or discomfort, or oral health issues? If you have, you probably know just how painful they can be and how all you want is for the pain to go away. Who do you turn to but your friendly neighborhood dentist? Your dentist is there to help you in these emergency situations should they arise, with helpful and pain relieving medical treatments.

Dentists are also there for you when things aren’t quite so bad. Your dentist helps to make sure your teeth are healthy and when you’re young they ensure they are growing properly. If it looks like you might need braces to keep your teeth straight and prevent issues, they can refer you to an orthodontist. From the time you get your first tooth and on to the rest of your life, you rely on your dentist for guidance and assistance with all of your dental health needs. Doesn’t that deserve a bit of a celebration?

How Can You Celebrate?

For one thing, you should keep your teeth clean and healthy! Don’t give your dentist unnecessary hard work, instead, make sure they can take a bit of a well-earned break by giving them a simple job at your next checkup. Not to mention, taking especially good care of your teeth is a gift to yourself as well. Having healthy, strong teeth starts with keeping them clean.

You can also celebrate by getting yourself a special treat to help make your smile even better. A lot of people enjoy getting whitening kits or treatments to boost the dazzling white color of their teeth. That can be a great way to celebrate the excellent health of your teeth, all while praising your dentist for giving you such a healthy canvas to whiten!

If you really want to celebrate National Dentist Day, then schedule yourself an appointment this March 6^th. Call your dentist’s office today to see if they can fit you in on the special day. It would be a nice gesture to get your dentist a little thank you card. After all, everyone deserves a little token of gratitude for their hard work!

Famous Dentists

Some famous (or infamous) people you might not expect were also trained dentists. Here is a list of some surprising celebrities who were also experts in the dental field.

• Paul Revere – He did a lot more than just warn the troops about the British; Paul Revere was also a dentist! Apparently he trained under John Baker who is reported to be America’s first dentist.
• John Henry “Doc” Holliday – Yes, he fought at the O.K. Corral, but he was also a trained dentist who practiced in Atlanta for a time.
• Edgar Buchanan – Have you ever watched Green Acres or Petticoat Junction? Then you might be familiar with popular actor Edgar Buchanan. It seems he was a lot more than just a successful television actor, and he actually started out as a dentist.
• Jim Lonborg – Jim was a famous baseball pitcher who played Major League Baseball for several teams in the 1960s and 1970s. After he retired from playing baseball, he went to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and has been a practicing dentist ever since.

So as you see, it’s always worth taking a trip to the dentist. As well as ensuring your teeth are in tip top condition, you never know who you might meet!