First dentist trip in 15 years

[geebensis]

Got an exam and a cleaning. Turns out my mouth is pretty healthy, other than the impacted wisdom teeth which were supposed to come out 15 years ago.

So now I get to contemplate oral surgery. It will probably be ANOTHER 15 years before I get up the nerve to have it done.

[specimenfred1984]

1. Don't Try That Line at a Bar

Other don't-try bar lines:

"These zits on my back feel like tumors!"
"Can you still smell the puke on my breath?"
"I haven't been to the dentist in 15 years"

Seriously, when you get the wisdom teeth pulled, take the pre-getting put to sleep drug, don't eat or drink ANYTHING for 12 hours prior and, get the incision stitched up. Otherwise, you may end up sick to your stomach and left with a big blood-wad in your mouth for a week.

And floss!

Thank you - Hints from HELLoisse.

[geebensis]

2. Hadn't thought about it that way...

But I take pretty good care of my teeth. The dentist didn't believe me when I told him how long it had been.

My surefire pickup line: What is it with you chicks and restraining orders, anyway?

[rogerashton]

3. And they were able to find your teeth?

Good job!

I did that once -- 15 years or so between dentist trips -- and I still have teeth, but it was pretty dumb anyway, wasn't it?

Also had two of those wisdom teeth out. I had to -- the lower left blew up on a flight US to Venice. Pressure changes travelling by air can do that to a dveloping cavity. Imagine being in Venice for a week -- working, theoretically -- with a GODDAMN TOOTHACHE!!

And have them out.

[SaveElmer]

4. You are lucky

I hadn't been in 12 years. When I was a kid I had kind of a sadistic dentist who didn't believe in novacaine so I developed a phobia. So even though I had some broken teeth I still avoided the dentist. Finally this past weekend I developed this huge swollen lump next to the tooth and it hurt like a bitch. I finally went in. Turned out to be a big infected abcess, and the tooth was too far gone even for a root canal. Had to have the abcess lanced and the tooth yanked. Now on antibiotics for two weeks. A very unpleasant experience. Really taught me a lesson. No more skipping the dentist appointment.

[JVS]

5. When I went to the Dentist for wisdom teeth back in 2000

She realized that I had not been there during the entire nineties. No cavities or gum disease, just some tartar on the teeth. Since I didn't feel like lying, I also told her that I don't even own a toothbrush. Occasionally I might steal some toothpaste from a tube and brush with my finger, but even that is rare. My tooth maintenence is usually just rubbing my teeth with a clean finger every couple of days. I also drink tap water, thank the Communist conspiracy for flouridated water! ;-)

[geebensis]

6. Whoa

How can you live without a toothbrush? If I go even a day without brushing I can't even stand to be around myself.

My excuse for not going for 15 years is simple. I'm a complete wimp about anything medical. Growing old is really going to suck for me.

[Ratty]

7. Vicious circle

I don't go because my dentist shames me for not coming in enough. After a couple of years goes by I feel like going in again but the thought of The Lecture just scares me right off. Also, yes, I was supposed to have my wisdom teeth out years ago but have simply put it off. I'll get The Lecture about that one too.