Open Up
I‘m thorough. I always wear a moisturizer with sunscreen. I always put sunscreen on my tattoo. I brush my teeth after every meal. I get my teeth cleaned every six months. I can’t imagine not doing these things. That’s why I was shocked and appalled when my husband told me that the last time he went to the dentist’s office was the same year that Bon Jovi released the Slippery When Wet album.
He went today for the first time in twenty years. I pushed him out of the door with a scared look on his face. He had muttered something about canceling the appointment earlier in the day. As he left he said he’d be back after they pulled out all of his teeth.
We go to the same dentist. Maybe they give nervous patients free hits of laughing gas. They sure didn’t give me any. I don’t know what they did to him, but he came back with all of his teeth and a big smile. He was gleeful. He was delighted to show me a copy of his x-rays and his paperwork stating all of the work he needs done.
Most people don’t want to go to the dentist. Even if you have good teeth, it’s uncomfortable to have someone poking around in your mouth. They say they know what they’re doing with those metal hooks, but what if they slip or sneeze? All of the drilling and scraping is unpleasant. Who knows where that suction tube has been?
My husband can’t wait to go back. His next appointment is on his birthday. He can’t ask for a better birthday present. He can have his teeth cleaned in the morning and we can eat birthday cake in the afternoon.
