What I Learned Today: The Dentist

Don't judge me. I haven't been to the dentist for more than five years. There have been a series of events that have contributed to this drought of dental hygiene. 1. My hometown dentist moved away when I was in high school. Heartbreaking.

2. The next dentist I went to filled a cavity without numbing my mouth. "I'm going to drill into your tooth and you let me know when it starts to hurt." Uh, right.

3. When I went off to college I just stopped going all together. The taste of freedom.

No. 2 really turned me off the most. Plus when it comes to doctors, I try to stay away unless absolutely necessary. Kels has been to the dentist over the years, but I just didn't see a need to go. This last time she went a few weeks ago, she had three cavities. I thought if she had three then I must have a lot more than that. I bit the bullet and made an appointment.

I really didn't want to, but I am at the point in my life where I should start thinking about the long-term effects that this kind of thing can have on me. After all, I already have a lingering back issue that put me on the injured reserve for fall softball (my only source of physical activity).

Anyway, I went to the dentist and besides the dental hygeintist gouging my gums and causing them to bleed (standard), it wasn't too bad. They suggest that I have my wisdom teeth out in the next year or so, but other than that, I have a full mouth of healthy teeth.

So, what I learned today is that if you brush your teeth twice a day, there should be no fear of the dentist. I also recently started flossing every night (inspired by Kels' trio of cavities). And perhaps the most important thing I learned today: The reward for healthy set of teeth and no cavities is...you guessed it, a purple toothbrush.