I know, you really weren’t expecting to see Tom Brady and
dental hygiene in the same sentence but I can’t help it – I love watching Brady
and the Patriots play. Seeing them blow out Tim Teabow and the Broncos got me
thinking about the lessons Brady embodies and how you could use them to win at
taking care of your teeth.
Brady is a superstar now, but remember that he was drafted
in the 6th round! That’s almost insulting. The scouts weren’t
confident about his abilities; his college athletic performance wasn’t amazing.
And then he stepped in during his second year and the Patriots won the
Superbowl.
That’s lesson #1: you can step up to opportunities even if
you’re a late bloomer and others don’t have a lot of confidence in you. Some of
my patients come in apologizing that they haven’t taken better care of their
teeth and gums. Okay, maybe you missed the first six draft rounds of dental
hygiene – you’re not out of the game. I’ve seen patients turn around the health
of their mouth in a matter of months just by adding a few minutes a day to
their routine. There are few arenas in life where a couple minutes can make
such a big difference.
When Brady had a chance to step into the pro quarterback
role, he took full advantage of the opportunity he got. He was average in terms
of athleticism in the NFL, but he made good plays and the more good plays he
made, the more confidence he gained. Maybe you don’t have superior dental
ability, maybe you have an average mouth or even a challenging mouth, but
starting with a few good plays can help you build confidence.
And there’s one more piece about Brady’s success that I have
to include here: he was on the right team. He had a team that rallied with him,
listened to him and helped him grow into the leader he could become. Your mouth
needs that kind of team. Lesson #2 is: pick a dental office who helps build
your confidence and works out winning plays with you. Work with your dentist to
lay your milestones and attack your dental hygiene cerebrally, like Brady does
a football game. You can even keep score by asking your dentist to share the
metrics he or she tracks, such as gum pocket depth and cavities.
It’s never too late to step up and become the superstar
quarterback of your mouth. Those teeth are counting on you!
Go Pats!
