Jessica Simpson says she only brushes three times a week

Most dental professionals would assume that Simpson, who some would say has a million dollar smile, would take better care of her pearly whites.

Apparently Simpson — who once wondered aloud on a television show whether a can of Chicken of the Sea tuna was tuna or chicken — falsely assumes that flossing every day, using mouthwash and occasionally wiping her teeth with a shirt are acceptable alternatives to brushing.

But a representative from the not-for-profit Delta Dental Plans Association, based in Oak Brook, IL, USA, says Simpson is in danger of losing her smile, and any kids who may be looking to her as a role model could be in for some pain if they choose to follow her ill-conceived oral hygiene practices.

“While flossing and using mouthwash are certainly good oral health practices, doing these things while neglecting daily brushing is like running around in the shower and calling yourself clean. Sure, you feel pretty good afterward, but chances are you missed some crucial spots,” said Chris Pyle, director of public relations for the Delta Dental Plans Association, a provider of dental insurance.

And that ‘slippery’ feeling is actually a good thing, Pyle said.

There’s a name for that coating Jessica said she needs to give her lips traction, it’s called plaque — a naturally occurring coating of bacteria, he said. Cavity-causing organisms within plaque feed on sugar and turn it into acid, which attacks tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay. Flossing and mouthwash alone are not sufficient to remove all of the plaque that’s hiding on teeth, according to Pyle.

What’s worse, he said, Simpson’s hygienic transgression is no victimless crime. Prospective love interests should know that harmful bacteria are transmissible through kissing.

“Sure, at the end of the day, a person thinking about kissing Jessica will need to weigh the risks with the reward. In this case, it still might be worth the risk but, come on, Jessica, brush twice a day and the possibilities are endless,” Pyle said.

Delta Dental is a national network of independent dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs to more than 54 million Americans in more than 93,000 employee groups throughout the country.

Delta Dental recommends that people brush their teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss every day and make annual visits to the dentist.