Dental Musings...

Today I went to the dentist. I had my cleaning (I put it off from last month because I had a tooth removed that day) and one filling.

Dr. B is the second dentist I've had in this area and the better one. I'm glad I found one (finally) that I like. Sometimes it's weird being an adult. I went to the same dentist from the age of...uh, before I can remember...up until I was about 26 or so. Dr. O was his name. He was very 'clinical' but (since I knew him a long time) he 'warmed up' eventually. Well, Dr. O retired and then I didn't know what to do.

In the intervening (10) years, I've been to 6 other dentists. All but one of them was younger than Dr. O. I've started to notice something. Is it just me or are ALL dentists extremely good looking? It's crazy. I mean...I expect them to have good teeth (it wouldn't be a very good 'advertisement' otherwise) but COME ON...I haven't been to a 'magazine cover UNworthy' dentist EVER. Dr. O was getting 'up there' (sort of) in years, but even he was pretty dang attractive. I'm speaking generally, here...so I can say that about an 'older' gentleman without it being weird. (right?) And, just in case you're wondering, I've picked *every one* of these dentists from 'the book'. Ya know, the book of dentists that I can see with whatever insurance I have at the time. Totally random...that's why I think they must ALL be that... uh... phenotypically blessed. KWIM?

The other thing is that they all have 'amusements' available now. Dr. O never had that. A lot of the ones in-between have had a TV in the ceiling and a list of movies to pick from. Some even have that AND a music device (used to be a 'Walkman', now it's from the computer, mp3, iPod...something) with a list of genres to choose from. It's weird. The Zombie and I have developed a sort of "kids today..." conspiracy. (Wow! That made us sound old.) One of the elements is that "kids today" can't stand to spend ONE MOMENT of time alone with their own thoughts. They don't seem to tolerate ANY TIME without an external engagement or entertainment of some kind. (Oooooh...I feel a "substitute rant" coming on) We've decided it's the government (tongue-in-cheek), we just don't know why.

Anyway, I actually appreciate a distraction when I'm in "the chair" as I don't mind the feeling (as there is none, usually) or the idea of the drill...but the *sound* gives me the creepin' willies! Anything to prevent (or mitigate) my hearing that is always a good thing.

Today I watched "The Bourne Ultimatum". Actually, I watched about 25 minutes of it, is all. I like that movie a lot. Good thing I've seen it before. :-)

I asked the hygienist if she'd even been bitten by a patient whose teeth she was cleaning. The *grimace* that came during the shudder that ran up her spine (and before she responded) told me the answer. Eeeeewwww! She went on to tell me that she had, indeed, been bitten by a child (a little boy) of about age 4. Her thumb was black-and-blue (when it happened...not today) in a perfect 'ring' and she narrowly escaped losing her thumbnail. I had tears running down into my ears because I was laughing so hard, trying not to bite her myself, and trying not to choke at the same time.

While I was getting the filling, I made a comment about my *secret* crush on Matt Damon and made the dental assistant laugh. I now have a nice, purple (albeit smallish) suction bruise on my tongue because she momentarily lost control of the suction thingie. I'm not sure what was in her other hand...but I'm glad whatever it was, was not in my mouth.

So...here's the lesson I learned today: It's dangerous to laugh...or to make the dental office employees laugh...when having work done in your mouth! If not dangerous (biting, choking, poking, stabbing, suction-ing, etc.), at least unconfortable (gurgling 'spittle' and tears in one's ears). Better to save the silly questions and comments until everyones' hands and mouths have gone to their respective corners! :-)

Have a good one!