Teeth

Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones Deck Prompts -Let's talk about teeth. Mention those incisors and everyone has a story. Tell it.

When I was a child, my mother took us to the dentist twice a year. There were four of us for my first ten years, and then we had a fifth brother. Most of the time, no trauma, until the day the dentist said that I needed to have a procedure.

I don't remember much about what was supposed to happen, but it meant the doctor would give me "laughing gas" to assist with the procedure. To make me more comfortable.

Well, that day came along and I bit that dentist. The story told is that he would no longer take me as a patient in his office. My mother then took us to see a children's dentist. A program that only worked with children.

After that experience, I was afraid of the dentist and would do my best to get out of going for many years. And because of that, I had cavities that needed to be fixed over the years.

Then, in my mid-twenties, things changed as I started to be concerned about taking care of my teeth again. And my new dentist, I confessed to that I was having anxiety over seeing him. He was great as step by step, he would walk me through the visit. Letting me know every next move.

No longer did I have anxiety over going to the dentist, and that is the way it is for me with my two checkups per year in my seventies now. I have not needed a procedure in a very long time. Despite having diabetes, and have to take a pre-med for heart issues.

My teeth look good, and I have no worries about my mouth. They always tell me that I am doing a good job, and I go on my way until the next time. My children have been fortunate as well, with my son needing braces as a young boy, but now nothing.

Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones Deck Prompts - I used to long to be a dentist. It just seemed like a good idea. Regular hours, white coat, helpful occupation. Only later did I find out the dread people have of going to the dentist's office. Tooth doctors have some of the highest suicide rates. That means there is energy here that you can mine. Go for it.

I never wanted to be a dentist.

Maybe a hygienist

It never sounded like a good idea.

So glad that this for me is an over-it era.

I brush, I floss, and at appointments, I breath

I gave up popcorn to avoid chipping teeth.

I love to laugh and smile and nice teeth are a win

At the dentist, I am thankful for no stress when checking in!