The Dentist

I'm sad to say that it took me a good 9 months or so to make it to the dentist after I moved to California. That meant it was almost a year between dentist visits and while my oral hygiene in general until recently wasn't that fantastic, I did always make it to the dentist every 6 months.

So last April, I decided that it was about time to go to the dentist. I found a highly recommended dentist and then showed up. I had 4 cavities and my gums weren't in great shape. Okay. Fine. Let's fill the cavities. But because my gums weren't doing so well and because it had been a while since my last visit, they wanted me to come back in 4 months (instead of the standard 6). Okay. Fine. I'll come back in 4 months. By the way, it took 2 visits to the dentist to fill the 4 cavities. The dentist just thought it would be better that way. Oh, and they also used one of those visits to inject antibacterial something or other into my gums. (For those of you keeping score, that is 3 visits.)

Four months later. I show up ready to get my teeth cleaned again. Admittedly, I had been a bad girl and still wasn't flossing. I know. You're supposed to floss. I get it. Not only did I have 2 more "weak spots" that needed filling, but the dentist starting throwing out scary words like "gum disease" and "decontamination." Shudder. They threatened to make me come in every 3 months if my gums didn't improve (i.e. if I didn't start flossing). So I had to come back 2 more times, once to get my new cavities filled and another time to get my gums "decontaminated" (which after the experience, I think really means "we're going to burn the outside edge of your gums off because there's just no hope for them"). I'm now up to 6 dentist visits in 4 months, with threats of more.

Four months after my 2nd cleaning, I went back again for my 7th visit in less than a year. This time, I came prepared. I dutifully flossed every single day (sometimes twice a day). I stopped drinking soda (including diet) and stuck to water. I used some overpriced antibacterial mouthwash. Darn it if the dentist isn't right. Flossing really does help. I am proudly cavity free and my gums are almost to normal.

The only downside to this tale is that I have to continue my regimen of flossing/extra strength mouthwash and return again in 4 months. If my gums are still doing well, then I can go back on the 6 month routine.

What this all boils down to is that I didn't really change my habits until they threatened me with a bijillion visits (which my insurance doesn't cover) and extra procedures (which my insurance doesn't cover). I.e. I'm a cheapskate and that's why I now have a healthy mouth.