it's just good hygiene
Saturday, Jan. 24, 2004 - 9:28 a.m.
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I found myself a new dentist and had myself a check-up/cleaning last week. Unlike the last time this appointment totally did NOT suck and I would absolutely go back to �Dr. Steve� (Steven T. Hero, DDS if you wanna be specific). During the preliminary �have any problem areas?� portion of the appointment I explained to Kathy (the hygienist) that I had a couple of spots on two of my front teeth right near the gum line � like part of my tooth had worn away. I explained that I�ve had this problem before and that I had it filled in with a tooth-colored epoxy. She took a look and asked me if I brushed too hard. I assured her that I felt my brushing was fine but that maybe it was a bit too frequent. I let her know that it�s normal for me to brush in excess of 7 times in one day. I brush after every thing I eat, after every non-water beverage, and before I leave the house. Hell, if I wake up in the middle of the night I can�t fall asleep again unless I get up and brush because all I can think about is that slimy feeling you get in your mouth after a few hours of sleep. She said she was glad I was so aware of my hygiene but that maybe I should try not to brush SO much. Who goes to the dentist and gets told they need to brush LESS? Only me. She recommended that I get an electric toothbrush as it would prevent me from brushing too hard due to an automatic shut-off feature and it would also prevent me from putting my brush at too sharp of an angle and really digging into my gum line. I�ve never had or even tried an electric toothbrush until last night so I, of course, got the $5 brush and NOT the $80+ one because a) what if I was gonna hate using an electric brush? and b) for $80+ the toothbrush had better do ALL the work including application of toothpaste and mouth rinsing. I could certainly make due without the noise of an electric toothbrush but oh how clean my teeth were! I�ll get used to the noise � it�s a small price to pay for that fresh-from-the-dentist feel at home. If you don�t already have an electric toothbrush I highly recommend them! She then asked me how my flossing was going so a discussion began. I explained my long history of flossing difficulties. My gums often bleed and swell up so badly that I can hardly close my mouth � this is why I�ve taken to flossing at night so only my poor husband will have to see me. My whole life dentists have been telling me, �oh just keep flossing, your gums will toughen up and you�ll be just fine.� Ha, right. I floss every night (ok, ok, so more like an average of 5 times per week but that�s a hell of a lot more flossing than anyone I�ve ever known so I still win) and not much has changed. So Kathy, like the others, encouraged me to continue flossing. However, she also suggested that I try using Listerine because it�s an antiseptic. She said that if it doesn�t help cut back on the bleeding and swelling that at least things will be clean afterwards. I�m supposed to think of it like putting hydrogen peroxide on a cut. She also warned me to avoid the brown kind because it, in not so many words, tastes like ass. She suggested one of their minty offerings. I�ve never used Listerine before but I was familiar with its reputation for being a powerfully strong liquid. Most recently I remembered a commercial for their new citrus flavor which advertises itself as a less intense experience. I had the bottle of this citrus flavor in my hand but when I thought about putting an orange flavored liquid in my mouth after brushing with a minty flavored toothpaste I thought that might be a bad idea. So I went with the Fresh Burst and bought the smallest bottle they had just in case I didn�t like it. The first time I tried it I actually got out a measuring spoon to make sure I had exactly 4 teaspoons and when I swished it in my mouth I timed myself for exactly 30 seconds. You know what swishing with Listerine�s Fresh Mint is like? It�s like swishing with toilet bowl cleaner!! My tongue was burning, my eyes were watering, my nose was dripping � it�s some wicked stuff lemme tell ya! The second time I used it (yes, I went back for more) I used like � of the amount it said but I crapped out after about 20 seconds and had to spit. I think I WILL go back for that citrus flavored stuff and give that a go. I�ll leave the Fresh Mint to the husband who tried it and said it WAS strong but definitely useable � he even GARGLED with it! Had I done that I certainly wouldn�t be here typing this slice as I�d still be in the ICU, if not deceased, after a visit to the ER! But alas, I�m sure you�ve grown quite tired of learning all about my dental hygiene routine (if you�re even still reading this) so I�ll stop now, besides, this slice got pretty long over a whole lotta nothin�... |