Friday 10 August 2012

Carissa's Wierd

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.

5 comments:

C said...

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!

The Swede said...

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.

Old Pa's Corner said...

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....

Anonymous said...

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.

The Swede said...

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!).

Greatest Hits