I'm a silly boy. I haven't visited a
dentist since 1987. The blame for this lies in the physical and mental trauma
inflicted on me by my dentist at that
time. He was a monster who seemed to
revel in my fear and pain.
While not up to the gleaming standards
of Keith Richards' or David Bowie's dental upgrades, my most visible molars are
actually doing quite nicely, but out
of sight, at the back of the mouth,
problems are lurking. I'll spare you
the gory details, but suffice it to
say that if and when I do pluck up the
courage to sign up to a new dentist,
there'll be serious surgery involved. Surprisingly I've had no actual pain
from my teeth over the last 25 years,
perhaps if I had, it would have given
me the kick I needed to seek out and
join a new dental practice.
Last night, however, I woke at 1.30am with a
prodding discomfort at the back of my
mouth, but on the opposite side to
where I would have expected. I took
some painkillers and worried for a
couple of hours before drifting off to
sleep again. Come this morning, after
closer inspection, it appears a piece
of peel or pip had become wedged
between tooth and gum, causing the
pain. I breathed a sigh of relief,
even though the inevitable has merely
been delayed.
As I lay in the dark waiting for the
painkillers to kick in, working myself
into a state of panic, this tune
rolled gently, but insistently around
my brain. The band is Carissa's Wierd
(yes, that's how they spelt it) and
the tune, appropriately enough, is
'Farewell to All These Rotten Teeth'
from their glorious 2002 LP 'Songs
About Leaving.' The band split in
2003, leaving a small catalogue, of
which this album is the peak. Mat
Brooke went on to join Band of Horses
and then form his current outfit,
Grand Archives, while Jenn Ghetto
currently trades as 'S'.
As mental preparation for what will
one day surely come, if anyone has a
positive dentist experience to share,
I'd be delighted to hear it. Meantime,
enjoy the tune and don't forget to floss.
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5 comments:
Oh, such a sad melody...
As for dentists, I've had good and bad experiences in the past, so I won't share them with you, but I will say that I think dentistry has improved a little bit since 1987 and all my recent experiences have been ok! Dentists seem to have learned more about the importance of a good 'bedside manner' and seem more aware of the fears and phobias that some patients have too, and perhaps are better trained to deal with that side of things too, it seems to me. If I were you I'd get yourself booked in for a check-up, you never know they might just put your mind at rest - and if you've had no worse problems than a bit of peel/pip stuck in your gum, then I imagine you'll be fine!
Thanks for the encouraging words C. Mrs S recently signed up to a dentist near our new abode and she reports that the bedside manner has indeed improved and that the overall experience was relatively drama and pain free. Maybe it's time for me to lose the yellow streak i've had down my back for so long and sign up too. Easier said than done though.
It was 10 years or so before I visited a dentist this year. Only 1 filling was required but there was evidense of gum disease and that is the real killer if not caught and treated. It cost me about £450 to get teeth deeply cleaned and gums treated...it was 3 sessions and 5 or 6 injections each time...it was not that bad really...and he was from Liverpool....I have now gone to the extrame and have electric brush, floss and mouthwash.....don't delay get down there....get on top of it....can you imajine a glass by your bed side with a set of dentures....
Really lovely. Not heard of this group before but I'm really impressed by this tune. As for flossing, my dentist recently implored me to floss but I just can't get the hang of it. Blood everywhere.
OPC, I'm working on it! I've let this thing build up in my mind for way too long.
SB, I brush, gargle & floss regularly, which is probably why I've made it this far without serious issue. Sadly though, there's some crumblage going on at the back - hence the tune (which I'm glad you enjoyed!).
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