I'm gonna have dentures by the time I'm 30. No really. Every time I go to the dentist, I get bad news, not to mention expensive news. I'm convinced that I'm called to a life of the ridiculous when it comes to my teeth. I went to the dentist faithfully every 6 months growing up all the way through college (right, Mom?). I've always had a sweet tooth, so I had some cavities here and there, but nothing major. Granted, once I got married, it took me a while to figure out how to find my own dentist and then remember to make appointments, but I faithfully brushed
and not quite as faithfully flossed.


(Yes that person is flossing that cat's teeth. Why? I have NO idea)

Once we finally found our own dentist and arrived for our first appointment (yes, we had our first appointments together, ahhhh) the saga of "Lisa's Rotting Mouth" began. I knew that my wisdom teeth were going to need to be removed, what I didn't know was that my chin stuck out funny and every tooth in my mouth needed work that was going to cost me a million dollars and my right arm. What I also didn't know was that my husband, who had not been to the dentist since the late 90s had teeth in such nice condition that the same doctor that insulted my protruding chin threw a little party for him and his pearly whites.... I'm pretty sure the hygienist brought out Martinelli's and confetti.



After that experience I was hesitant both emotionally and financially to begin any of the work I needed done. Besides, I'm a world-class procrastinator. If I were a super hero, that would be my power. I can see it now.... I'd be sporting a bed sheet around my neck because I would have put off buying a cape. Anyway, some time elapsed.....and by some I mean a lot....before I got up the courage (a.k.a. got new insurance and found myself in dental pain) to find a new dentist. The first order of business was removing the wisdom tooth that was causing me pain. The plan was simple and over several appointments -

1. Remove painful #17 (lower left wisdom tooth)
2. Remove #1 and #32 (right side wisdom teeth)
3. Remove #16 (upper left wisdom tooth)
4. Fix a filling/add a filling
5. Get onto regular cleaning track.

Sounds ok, rIght? Not exactly a trip to Disneyland, but do-able. Believe it or not, it was de-railed shortly after step 1. The removal of the infected and painful #17 gave me only temporary relief (basically just until the novacaine wore off) because the infection had spread to and was having a party in #16. Of course, this being my first wisdom tooth experience, I assumed this was normal "post-procedure" pain. By 2 days later the pain was so intense I actually thought I would be the only person in history to die of a tooth-ache. (I could feel and hear cracking as if my jaw was falling apart. Shudder.) After a phone call with my brother-in-law, who happens to be a dentist in Texas, it became apparent that this was not normal pain and that I needed to call my dentist right away. Dr. Jennie was so gracious to be woken up at 6:30 am on a Sunday and agree to meet me at the
office soon after. I have never been so relieved to have a tooth yanked out of my mouth and I sent Dr. Jennie flowers for saving
me from death by tooth-ache.

...to be continued...