Hey Cherie!

We just had an earthquake in Los Angeles; I feel pretty weird. My family moved to southern California from Ohio a couple of years ago, and I know that this is southern California, which means there are earthquakes. We even studied the fault lines in 10th grade physics. But it is one thing to learn about it in school and another to feel the room shake back and forth like a ride at Six Flags.

I don't live very far from the epicenter; I was home when it hit. Nothing was really damaged, but I bet I am going to have nightmares for a long time.

Why would anyone choose to live in a place where there are earthquakes?

I heard that the big quake in 1992 was about a hundred times worse than this one, and I can't imagine that. Doesn't it freak you out, too?

— Quaking

Hey, Quaking!

I'm a Michigan girl raised in a place where we had lots of cold and snow, even tornado warnings. But I never felt an earthquake until I moved to southern California. I felt the recent one, and it is indescribable if you've never been through the experience.

I do think that there's probably nowhere that you could live — except at the bottom of an old missile silo in Kansas, and think of the steps you'd have to climb if you wanted to go to the mall - with no threatening elements. Many of our coastlines have hurricanes, the plains have twisters and the far north has intense snowstorms. The Midwest even has fault lines — and that's just America.

I do think it makes sense to take some simple precautions, which you can find easily online under e.g., "Earthquake emergency kit." If you didn't have the family what-to-do-in-an-emergency conversation the night of the quake, have it now. A little preparation goes a long way in making yourself less nervous.

Hey, Cherie!

I'm a 12-year-old who doesn't brush my teeth enough. Anyway, that is what my dentist said when I came in and had three cavities. He told me I had to floss, but ugh.

You know, I have a friend who lives on Dr. Pepper and Mars bars, but she has no cavities. I don't know if you have any ideas; I thought you would want to know.

— Brushless

Hey, Brushless!

Clever signature. Genetics is a funny thing — just ask anyone over the age of 30 who has ever battled with their waistline. But I digress.

I actually do have a brushing tip. Buy an electric toothbrush, and use it while you are online.

You won't be able to instant message, but it's easy to surf the Internet while you're electric brushing — before you know it five or 10 minutes will pass. I've been using this method for a few years; my dentist wants to patent it.

Cherie Bennett is a best-selling author of books for teens and young adults. Visit her website at www.cheriebennett.com. To find out more about Cherie Bennett and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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