Rodney

King: I wouldn't worry. She's not obsessed. She's just seen too many people with really screwed-up teeth who'd have been okay if they'd just taken a few simple precautions. Kind of like dating a fireman (or -woman) and having them freak out over the fact that you've got 17 different appliances plugged into one plug plate through multiple adapters, a long-haired cat who likes to walk on the stovetop, and burnmarks in the sofa from where you stub out your cigarettes. She can't in good consciences _not_ say these things.

About teeth-cleaning: among other things, it keeps your gums from getting infected and receding, which they'll start to do in your 20s if you don't watch it. Receding/infected gums means gum surgery -- at the very least -- down the line. Aside from the fact that you really don't want that -- believe me -- you may not have good insurance when the time comes. Teeth cleaning can prevent that; it's cheap even if you don't have insurance, and if you're lucky you can find a dental hygienist school (most cities have them, in community colleges) where you can get it done free.