Thursday, June 15, 2006

Flossing up for the chair

I made my annual dental appointment yesterday. The race is on! I flossed the moment I got off the phone. Well, actually it took me a few minutes to FIND the floss, but then I really did floss. Last year I got lazy and regretted it, so this year I'm going to be ready. Ugh, last year:

All chirps and smiles as I am led to the torture hydraulic chair.

All affable-like the dentist beams, "How are you Torn, any troubles? No? That's good, we're just going to take a couple pictures and then my assistant Ms. Ratchet will have a go at that tartar."

Then he leaves the room.

"Oh my but you are a bleeder", nurse Ratchet tells me as she is sawing away bits of my gums. "You need to keep up on your flossing. Here, pay attention now," and she holds up a mirror to my bloody toothed visage and demonstrates. Harshly. I'm doing my best not to wince, but little tears spring from my eyes nonetheless. Fucker!

I tell you what, my gums are going to be so fucking firm this time, you could cut them out and use them for sneaker soles.

27 comments:

  1. God I hate it when they go at the tartar! AT 38 I have no cavities BUT they have a hell of the time with me in the chair going after tartar....

    Now that you reminded me it's that time of year....damn

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  2. I just got all that taken care of last month. I detest a good flossing. YUCK!

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  3. Good luck with it. I should make an appointment myself. Damn.

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  4. Anonymous8:11 AM

    Sounds like me. Having not grown up with flossing, it's tough to establish that habit as an adult.

    Jane

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  5. I've actually "kinda" started flossing for the first time really ever...it's not a 100% daily commitment yet, but it's progress!

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  6. I could make a comment about the Canadian health care system, but, frankly, my dentist isn't much better..... :P

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  7. I have to have IV sedation when I go to the dentist, thanks to a panic attack I had in a chair once. My dentist is a really nice guy, but I hate the fucker.

    I floss as much as I can.

    I feel pukey now. Blah.

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  8. Ugh. I've been putting off my annual dentist appointment for almost 2 years now. I'm scared!
    lol

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  9. Annual? I am getting ripped off. They schedule me every 4 months for a cleaning and I floss! Rip off artists.

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  10. Last time I went to the dentist for a cleaning, she flossed so hard she told me, "You're bleeding like a slaughtered pig."

    Did I mention my dentist is also my sister?

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  11. No HNT butt pics today? :(

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  12. I know this will further brand me a nutjob, but I actually enjoy going to the dentist. And I sometimes fall asleep while they are cleaning my teeth.

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  13. Many years ago I embraced a saying I saw at my dentist's office:

    Floss only the teeth you want to keep.

    Every day for the last ten years.

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  14. I love the clean teeth, hate the flossing and that mean little pick they use to get the tartar off.

    I bought one of those vibrating flosser thingies... totally unnecessary, but it gets me to floss.

    Hey, that could be a birthday present!

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  15. My old dentist gave me this advice: after you floss, rinse with a mixture of water and 3% hydrogen peroxide (about 50/50 each).

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  16. I am shocked – SHOCKED! – by all the non-flossers around. Did we learn nothing from Timmy Tooth? Flossing is the key to maintaining your teeth. Remember, brushing only removes crap from 1/2 of your tooth surface. Plus, flossing makes your mouth feel better.

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  17. That just sounds brutal. Somehow it makes me think of the movie Brazil with all the torturers having happy faces.

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  18. they have a pick like thing that works almost as well as flossing for those lazy people (like me) who find it difficult to floss daily.

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  19. I floss every day :-) A hint, take ibuprofen before you go to the dentist, it'll lessen the pain somewhat.

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  20. I can't resist this. I know I'm a comment whore, but I just love a guy with good firm gums.

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  21. I go to the dentist every 4 months, since my benefits cover it. They can always tell if I've been a good flosser or not. Sometimes I am, sometimes not so much.

    They are also kind enough to provide a CD player and headphones, along with a list of albums to choose from. The last time I had a cavity filled, I chose to listen to Bjork's Homogenic album. The sounds of the drills, power saws, sanders and other powertools they had in my mouth disappeared and became part of whatever song I was listening to. It was all strangely fitting.

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  22. Pick up some Eez-Thru by G.U.M.
    It makes flossing so easy. And check ups at the dentist so much easier!

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  23. My dentist gave me one of those flossers with a handle like a toothbrush. I've used it every day since I got it. It's quick, it's painless, and kinda fun. I also use Colgate Total. I credit that for my last visit going so smoothly.

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  24. Unlike most people, I'm a floss addict. In fact, my last dentist said I was brushing "too much" as my teeth were wearing down. I have not seen the dentist in 2 years due to a job change. I need to make an appt. with a new one. I wonder what they will say....it's been awhile. Good luck!

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  25. Anonymous12:35 AM

    Who knew that a post about flossing could generate so many comments? And here I am, joining in, like the lemming that I am....Happy bleeding gums!! I am a pre-dentist flosser just like you! And I often regret it, just like you!
    Devo

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  26. Anonymous1:41 AM

    the common pain for us all: dentists!! Hate them too, but I have to go... at least once in 8 years!! LOL

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  27. i don't know why i hate flossing as much as i do. but i do. hate it. with a passion.

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