The other day I had a dentist appointment. I have a couple theories I want to share with you. First, what is about dentists that make them feel they have to talk to you? I was laying there on the table, the dentist has a tool in each hand and both of them are in my mouth that is stretched as far open as I could possibly stretch, the dental assistant is also close by, with a high pressure squirt tube and a suction thing, both of which are also about to go in my mouth, and the dentist says, "So what are your plans for the summer, Chad?" Is this guy serious? Don't get me wrong, I love my dentist. I continue to drive all the way out to Magna for this dentist, because he is good. (Side note: in all the cliche's of the world, of course a dentist in Magna will be good right...he has lots of business!) Anyway, I tried to answer the guy's question, to not be rude, but I have yet to master the technique of talking when there are two hands, 10 fingers, a scraper, a drill, a high pressure water hose, and a suction device in my mouth. 
My other theory on dental hygiene. First some background. My parents always took me to regular dental check-ups every six months my whole life. I also was a very good teeth-brusher. ( I have always wondered why it is called a toothbrush when we use it on multiple teeth) At least morning and night. So consequently, I never had a cavity. Then came time for me to go on a mission. In the mission field, you do not have regular six month dental visits. Due to this, I decided to be even better and start flossing regularly. So for two years on my mission I brushed multiple times a day, and flossed at least 4-5 times a week. Then I come home from my mission and start the regular check ups again. First check-up says I have 15 cavities. Holy crap right?!?! I never expected to have worse teeth than Flavor Flav. 
So I get the cavities done and decide to stop flossing. I floss twice a year when the dental assistants do it for me. They always lecture me about flossing and that I need to do it or I will get cavities. I have not flossed more than a handful of times since I came home from the mission (Aug 96), other than the times when the dental assistants do it as part of my check up. I also have not had a cavity since coming home either. So all that background info gets me to the point: Flossing is a tool of dentists to keep them in business. It cleans your teeth to the point that it keeps new, fresh bacteria constantly invading the space between teeth. I am convinced on this. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise.
So I get the cavities done and decide to stop flossing. I floss twice a year when the dental assistants do it for me. They always lecture me about flossing and that I need to do it or I will get cavities. I have not flossed more than a handful of times since I came home from the mission (Aug 96), other than the times when the dental assistants do it as part of my check up. I also have not had a cavity since coming home either. So all that background info gets me to the point: Flossing is a tool of dentists to keep them in business. It cleans your teeth to the point that it keeps new, fresh bacteria constantly invading the space between teeth. I am convinced on this. Nothing you say will convince me otherwise. I had another story to write about from work, but now it is wake up time and I have daily chores and equipment checks to get done, so I must leave you in suspense.
7 comments:
I can hardly wait.....
I have never noticed your double chins before, very fascinating.
I think pediatric dentists are a scam. I took Tom and Pete for their first time to a pediatric dentist. They were almost 3 and five, I am a horrible mother. This dentist told me they each had over a dozen cavities and that I needed to get them scheduled right then and their for an appt. Of course because they are children they wanted me to have them fully sedated and that wasn't covered by insurance. I had to work hard to get out of that office without making an appt. I felt bullied. I didn't feel right about. So six months later I take them to a regular family dentist. Pete was clean and Tom only had a couple of cavities. Fishy dentists.
My brother-in-law, James, shares your philosophy on flossing.
By the way, his own dad is a dentist...
I cant believe all that I have been missing out on. This is great!! Keep it coming...
I'm thinking we have the same dentist. I too, drive to Magna to sit with a mouth full of tools and hands and suction thingy's . . . and try to answer questions. I love my dentist, but I am often a little frustrated with the idea of carrying on a conversation. If I want to do that, I will schedule a hair appointment.
I conquer with the flossing. We floride in our house
Dear Chad,
I am a (now former) Dental Assistant (the extra pair of hands with the high-speed suction that always gets caught on the cheek), and my bro is a (conversation-carrying)dentist. Flossing is for the gums as much as it is for the teeth. I think the reason for the conversations are three-fold. I think the dentist is 1) trying to make you feel more comfortable by "catching up" 2)trying to distract your attention from the pain you are about to be feeling and 3)the dentist is bored. face it, he does the same procedures all day. Conversation is amusing--especially if the other person's mouth is numb and they are crazy looking.
P.S. Flavor Flav totally rocks. I used to watch his tv show on VH1. Ok, I'm lying. (about the first half, anyway)
i used to love my dentist in utah (he was out in south jordan) and haven't seen a dentist since being married. eek. FOUR YEARS. tragic. i am so scared to go. (and i don't floss)
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