I had a dentist appointment today. It’s been a year since my last exam, and last November there was An Incident. I was eating popcorn and a hull got jammed between two molars. It took a while for me to get it all the way out, and it got a little sore. After that, it seemed like I was always getting good stuck in there. I actually would floss just to help it, and it felt funny.
I thought for certain that when I went in today they were going to say that some serious work had to be done, but as it turns out, I’ll be ok. He said that when inflammation happens around the very back molar, the teeth actually separate a little because there isn’t a ‘buddy’ tooth to hold it up. If I can just try to chew on the other side and keep it clean, it might actually re-align. Here’s to hoping.
In other news, he asked me if I grind my teeth at night. I said ‘no’, but that sometimes I snort so loud I frighten myself awake.
It was quiet in the room for a while.
Then he took a magical camera and showed me two spots on my front teeth that proved I grind my teeth. I felt like I was in the final five minutes of a crime drama – caught in a lie! He said they were worn down to the soft dentin, and while it’s not a concern now, in twenty years it might be a problem. “Keep an eye on it and maybe we’ll fit you for a tooth guard sometime.”
Forget that, Dr. Handsome. I got this. When Lloyd needed a mouth guard years ago, he discovered that if you buy them from the sports section instead of the toothpaste aisle, they are substantially cheaper.
Boil, melt, bite, done.
You’re welcome, Future Lauren.
*sigh* Why does he have to be so handsome?
Brad says
Interesting. I have suspected that I may be a night grinder. I’ll have to remember this solution. Was there much drooling during the night?
Peggy says
It looks like it would be kind of fun making the guard. Was it?
And hehe….”Why does he have to be so handsome?” Do you remember this:
http://splicd.com/3bPyexJ64Ec/48/81
My dentist is funny & sounds just like Jimmy Stewart. I love it!
http://splicd.com/r1fucFnmBm8/18/24
Yup, that’s his voice!
Lauren says
Ha! That is who I want to be!! “Mrs. Lauren Dentist!” That cracked me right up, Peggy!
Yes, it was fun to make the guard, but a little scary. You boil water, take it off the heat for 30 seconds, put the guard in for 30 seconds, then put it in and bite down/suction it for 30 seconds. It’s fairly warm, but not hot enough to burn. I also made it crooked and it makes me drool a lot when I sleep. Boooooo.
Jane Sommerer says
Lauren I found it was a little large so I cut mine down to fit my mouth. Makes it much more comfortable just have to remember to use it.