Oral Hygiene Habits of the Interesting: <i>Curb Your Enthusiasm's</i> Susie Essman

"I remember my dentist telling my mother that I'd better marry a rich man because I'm going to need lots of gold inlays. That really pissed me off. Why did he assume that I would have to marry a rich guy and that I wouldn't make the money myself?"
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Q: How would you describe your flossing routine?
A. Daily
B. Occasionally.
C. Every 6 months by my hygienist.
D. When food is stuck between my teeth after eating (corn on the cob, chicken, etc.).

Q: Do you brush in the morning...
A. Right after waking up, before eating.
B. After coffee and/or breakfast. (Unless my husband makes some moves on me in the morning; then I jump up and brush before getting back into bed.)
C. I don't

Q: Do you prefer...
A. Peppermint
B. Cinnamon
C. Fruity flavors

Q: As a perfromer, is there a special routine you have developed to care for your mouth, throat and vocal cords before and/or after a performance?
A: When I'm doing stand up I always brush before I put on my make up when I'm getting ready for a performance. That kind of begins my warm up for the night. When I'm acting in Curb Your Enthusiasm I frequently lose my voice at the end of many takes of yelling at Larry. It's probably something I should learn how to do better, like from a different place in my throat, but it's so visceral that I don't like to even think about it or analyze it.

Q: Do you avoid certain food or drink the day of a performance because of the way it may interact with your voice and singing?
A: I avoid carbonated beverages and anything that will make me belch on stage. I also don't eat very much before a performance. And the plainer the better. Always some protein and no carbs. I like to feel light on stage.

Q: Is there a specific oral health care product you love?
A: I use Toms toothpaste (different flavors, but I'm partial to the fennel) and I like Oral B toothbrushes. But I'm open to new products.

Q: Do you have any interesting stories about your dentist?
A: I had bad teeth in my teen years. I don't know why. I brushed regularly and wasn't a sugar freak. I guess it was just genetic. Lots and lots of cavities. I remember my dentist telling my mother that I'd better marry a rich man because I'm going to need lots of gold inlays. That really pissed me off. Why did he assume that I would have to marry a rich guy and that I wouldn't make the money myself? He was right about the crowns and inlays, but I paid for them all by myself!

Q: If I was not an actress/comedian, I would be:
A: An interior designer

For more by Thomas P. Connelly, D.D.S., click here.

For more on dental health, click here.

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