Yesterday was my first "cleaning" in 14 months. Is that too long? My dentist says I should be coming every 4 months. Who wants to go to the dentist that often? Plus the follow-up appointments for fillings and crowns. It's no wonder our benefits cost so much! Every four months, yeeeesh!So, I'm in the chair and she's poking me with sharp objects to make my gums bleed. "Scott, your gums are bleeding!" No kidding. "Maybe if you didn't jab your spear into my gums they wouldn't!"
Next is the seminar about flossing. I have dozens and dozens of these cute little sample floss packs stuffed in the bathroom drawer next to the mosquito repellent. Maybe one day I'll put them on e-bay and make some money. She asks, "How's your flossing, Scott?" I tell her - "it's consistent". Well - that's the truth.
Then, she lectures me about my negligent cleaning appointments. "If you don't come every four months you will have many health problems."
"Oh really" I said and rolled my eyes. Here we go.
"Without good periodontal health you could have a stroke..." A stroke? Are you kidding me? I'll have a stroke if I don't get a cleaning every four months?! She continues, "You can get respiratory infections, heart disease and uncontrolled diabetes."
I couldn't keep my yap shut, partly because I was chocking on her elbow which was halfway down my throat. Somehow I managed to mumble - "all you doctors use scare tactics to get us back in the office. I'll pass".
"Well, you need to make a decision today. Every four months or every nine months. It's a big decision and I'm telling you for the good of your health. You can't take this lightly."
Whatever.
"Consider your options and make the best decision."
I said, "Huh, listen lady, I'm not buying a car! It's just teeth cleaning!" Yeeeesh!
After all the chemicals and pokers and xrays I left to pay my enormous bill. The secretary took my visa card and pleasantly asked me - "so, have you made a decision?"
A decision? Like accepting the Lord to be my Saviour? Come on - it's just teeth for crying out loud! "Yes I have made the big decision - it's gonna be every 36 months - goodbye!"
It's time for a new dentist.
Sadly, I think they all do it. And I've decided why they poke our gums until they bleed. It gets the bad bacteria entrenched inside the tissues and into our blood stream so everything can become infected and they can make lots more money lecturing us and torturing us. I need a new dentist but don't have a cow to sell.
ReplyDeleteMy dentist said I should go every 6 months - I think it's reasonable. No way would I go every 4months - I hate getting my teeth cleaned!
ReplyDeleteWell, you made the right decision. People with special dental conditions are required to visit their dentist twice a year for check-ups. I pray you get a new one so you can continue taking good care of your teeth.
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