mousme | Random thoughts on dentistry

I went for my bi-annual visit to the dentist on Thursday morning. I have a confession to make which undoubtedly make many of you question my sanity (well, what little there is of it): I actually like going to the dentist. Now, don't get me wrong: I don't enjoy the bits with drills and pain, but otherwise going to the dentist is a pretty pleasant experience for me.

I'm obsessive about my teeth. I brush and floss and generally take extremely good care of my teeth. I have a small brush that I use specifically to keep my gums healthy. I take much better care than the average person, I should think. This means that going to the dentist is pain-free 90% of the time, and is in fact a heck of a morale booster. Every time I go, my dentist compliments me on what great teeth I have. Then we go through a fun little routine, because he seems to forget about the work I've had done in the past every single time (work by other dentists, I hasten to add, I've only been seeing this guy for about two years).

The conversation goes something like this.

Dentist: "Great teeth! Have you had orthodontic work done?"

Me: "Uh-huh. Two years' worth."

Dentist: "Yeah, I can see where this tooth here was moved. Who did your work?"

Me: "Dr. [name]."

Dentist: "Oh, yes, Seymour. He's very good. Did he grind down your tooth here?"

Me: "Uh-huh. He said it would help with the crowding."

Dentist: "That's great work. Is that plastic sealant on your teeth?"

Me: "Uh-huh."

Dentist: "And who did that?"

Me: "Dr. [name of my childhood dentist]."

Dentist: "Oh, Charles, yes. He's excellent as well." *over his shoulder to the hygienist. "Come look at this, it's not something you see every day: see here how there's plastic sealant on each tooth? Excellent work. Goes a long way to preventing decay."

Etc.

I have my mother to thank for this. She's just as obsessive about her teeth as I am, and instilled in me early on the firm belief that, where teeth are concerned, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. My parents have both had terrible trouble with their teeth (you name the procedure, they've had it done, between them), and my mother was very anxious that I should never have to undergo all that.

So not only was I instructed early on about how to take care of my teeth, my mother also went out of her way to get me the best dental care possible as soon as possible.

I think tomorrow I'll give her a big smile when I see her for dinner, so she can see the results of her handiwork.