Monday, December 21, 2009

Smile




Days like today make me miss my job and my benefits.  My daughter and I had dental appointments.  Cleanings, exams, and x-rays were free when I had insurance.  Today I paid 250 dollars just for the cleanings and exams.  I opted out of x-rays.  Thank goodness neither of us get cavities very often.  I was 30 before I had my first tooth filled and she has yet to experience the drill.

I like my smile and would like to keep it.   I never had braces and I still have 2 of my wisdom teeth, so I have some crowding issues. I can't miss appointments. I've invested a lot of money in my daughter's smile so she's not missing her appointments, either.  I didn't spend all that money on Invisalign braces so her teeth could fall out.

Many years ago I had an appointment to have my wisdom teeth removed but they are sitting right on top of the nerve and I was told I was at very high risk of nerve damage.  I would have the same numb sensation that you have after a novocain shot, but it wouldn't wear off.  I was in tears just thinking about it.  I like to eat.  I can't imagine not being able to taste my food for the rest of my life.  I like to kiss.  How can I enjoy kissing if my lips are numb?  A new romance would not be the same without all the kissing and snuggling.

I couldn't do it.  I cancelled the surgery. 

17 comments:

Vince said...

Ah but Jen you 'mericans go nuts about your chompers. And while I do not like to -as with the horses- count your years with the amount of plaque. It is nice to see 'some' use on the teeth, all the same.

UberGrumpy said...

Nice picture! I had all my wisdom teeth removed and I think you made the right decision. Brrr

Kate said...

Wpw I could never do that - good decision.

Kate xx
http://secretofficeconfessions.blogspot.com

gayle said...

Dental work is so expensive!!I had all of my widsom teeth removed at the same time....thank goodness I had the insurance.

LL Cool Joe said...

what a nice smile. :)

Jen said...

@Vince: Some use on the teeth is okay. Missing or black teeth is not okay.

@UberGrumpy: Oddly the pain didn't frighten me. I didn't even need pain meds for the two that could be removed.

@Kate: I'm glad I didn't do it. I'm glad you guys don't think I'm crazy, too. I took a lot of flack when I first made that decision.

@gayle: I had insurance at that time, but I was too old. From what I understand, they like to do it when we're younger because the risk is much less.

@LL Cool Joe: Thank you. *blush*

Anonymous said...

I had my wisdom teeth removed. While I didn't have any nerve damage it still sucked. I look at it this way, if they weren't hurting you then why remove them?

buffalodick said...

Was that you or your daughter? Beautiful teeth!
I'd pay money to see a person smile like that!

buffalodick said...

Imagine a man who had no wisdom teeth that would ever come in.. I got to keep all my wisdom!

Jeanne Estridge said...

I think you made a good decision. Having your mouth half-numb would have other side effects too (like constant infections from biting your tongue and cheek).

And, you look great!

Mike said...

You cannot imagine how much I hate the dentist!!! It is like a phobia!

kenju said...

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out on the same day and then went home and fell asleep in the sun and got a massive sunburn. Luckily, my parents insurance paid for it! You made the right decision; who wants to be numb?!

Jen said...

@Christiejolu: They had gotten infected so they scheduled surgery. I was all for having them removed when I was in pain, but they won't do the surgery until the infection clears up. By then I wasn't in pain and didn't want surgery any more. I haven't had any more problems since.

@buffalodick: That is me. Thank you.

@Jeanne: Good point. I didn't even think of that.

@otin: I finally found one that doesn't scare me. I drive 45 minutes to see him because I refused to change dentists after I moved.

@kenju: Sunburn on top of the pain from having your teeth removed? Ouch! Hope you had good pain pills.

Vince said...

How did you get the feel of being about to extend Excalibur. At the moment I having trouble with the camera when I want to show subtle contrasts.

Jen said...

@Vince: I didn't take this one. I don't know how he got that effect.

Alexis AKA MOM said...

I had that when I got braces they had to pull all 4 plus 2 extras. One of the wisdom was sideways and on a nerve. When they pulled it half of my bottom lip was numb it stayed like that for about 6 months. You should have seen me putting lip liner on!

I can't get over how much it cost to go, good reason to take care of those teeth, huh? :)

Jen said...

@Alexis AKA MOM: I'm glad it didn't stay that way. 6 months is more than long enough to suffer. I should be able to straighten mine without having the wisdom teeth pulled. I have to wait until I have insurance or a job, then it will be my turn for the Invisalign.

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