March 2, 2010

Perfection Undone . . .

Something major has happened.  This is BIG.  You might want to sit down.  My sweet Hubby has fallen.  He’s fallen fast and hard from the pedestal of perfection on which I’d placed him {with his help, of course} upon meeting him sixteen years ago.

To help you understand, a little periodontal family history is in order. 

My dad, bless his amazing heart, has the teeth of an ogre. I know that sounds mean, but he would heartily agree. Several of his teeth had to be permanently removed while he was going through treatment for cancer.  Those that remain are iffy.  Some cooperate, while others chip or fall out completely while he is attempting such benign tasks as slurping soup or chewing soft bread. It just is not normal.

My mom has early signs of gum disease.  She spends a lot of time in a reclined chair with dental assistants doing painful things to her gums with names like ‘scaling’ and ‘planing’.  She has to have her teeth cleaned four times a year, instead of the requisite two.  She is a slave to the sonic toothbrush and spool of floss.

My older brother has a mortal fear of all things dentistry.  He had thirteen teeth extracted by the time he was fourteen because he had too many teeth for his small mouth.  He wore braces and retainers.  Now, as a responsible adult, he avoids the dentist at all costs, much to the dismay of the mom with gum disease. And really, his mouth isn’t that small.

My younger brother apparently inherited the teeth of my father.  So sorry about that.  He has endured root canals and pains of all sorts that I cannot even fathom or understand.  He has one front tooth that is a bit discolored.  He also has Vampire fangs, although right about now that probably makes him cool with the teen set.

Then there’s me.  I have beautiful teeth – or so my dentist tells me.  They were wrapped in braces during my adulthood as a gift from the Hubby since I came with a diamond ring.  And though they are white and straight, they are riddled with cavities.  Each cavity is a special gift given to me from the babies I’ve borne, to go along with my stretch marks.

Most recently, I got a new older sister.  She is a dental anomaly.  Her teeth are otherworldly.  Straight, white, not a cavity to be found. I’m sure a study could be done about the water where she was raised versus where I was raised.  Or maybe her mom didn’t let her suck on sugar cubes as a child. {KIDDING.  We did NOT do that!}  She really does have a disarming set of pearly whites in that gorgeous smile of hers.  Lucky girl.

ANYWAY . . . back to the Hubby.  Last night at the dinner table he broke the news to all of us that after thirty-nine years, one month and seven days, he could no longer claim a cavity free mouth.  Yesterday, while sitting in the dental chair, his world came crashing down as the doc found the beginnings of a small cavity in a back molar.

So he fell.  And into really good company. He'll fit in well with our family of dental misfits.  Now I’ve just got to work on that sister of mine.  Maybe I should send her a box of the Samoas that came to my door yesterday.  I’d better go taste one right now to see if they’re any good. 

How about you, sweet readers, do you have a sweet tooth that lands you in the chair?

13 comments:

MelancholySmile said...

I recently had my very first cavity, and suddenly had an appreciation for what J goes through! He can't stand going to the dentist because he always comes home with bad news and a big bill. :) We both wore braces-- I paid for mine and had to wear them through my first pregnancy. I was hot, let me tell you! {good thing J was already married to me and couldn't back out at that point!} So I'm hoping our children inherit my lack of cavities. They're doomed as far as braces go.

Jessie said...

How in the heck did he make it that long w/o a single cavity? He does sound almost perfect. Those redheads are pretty amazing....

My dad was a dentist, so I am all too familiar with dentist offices. Way too familiar. My sister's and I were forced to clean his every week...hated it! I do have more cavities than I probably should, considering this upbringing. I actually suffered many health problems for years from the toxic mercury I was exposed to in my dad's office that they put in our fillings...went through the grueling process of removing all my amalgam fillings and replacing them w/white.

Kasey said...

I have pretty good teeth. My top are straight but the bottoms are crooked. I didn't my 1st cavity until I was prego with Stella. I was 26! Haven't had one since then either.

chelsea said...

I have teeth like your Dad. Probably more to do with being 5th child with CRAZY older siblings though. Haha

christy said...

Wow! I don't think your post could have been more timely. I just left the oral surgeon's office this morning and was told I will have to pay an alarming $4000 for a sinus graft and implant for a tooth I had pulled. I about DIED!!! That cost does not include the crown that will have to be placed by my dentist afterward. Ryan and I were talking about a cruise this fall sans children and my tooth issue will cost a lot more than that one week vacation. I think I'm going to go for my other option which I am contacting my dentist about any minute. Yikes! Needless to say, in my old age I have not been blessed in the dental department. Travis is lucky (and Ryan shares those "good teeth" genes).
Sadly, things aren't looking fantastic for our kiddos, either. Halle and Addy have both had cavities and Halle had her first crown last fall! Lots of moolah to the dentist from these Wilsons. :(

squeezeme said...

35 and cavity free as are my four children.... could be my dad is a dentist and so we brush, floss and get regular cleanings...but from the wisdom I have gained from my father it really is because we Texans have flourinated water. Utahns feel flouride in the water is a government conspiracy and so Utahn children generally run around with mouths full of fillings. When we moved to UT almost 5 years ago I called up the Doc and got that perscription for flouride right away. I do not think my kids have missed more than one day or two taking it because I am paranoid! I am determined that my Utahn sons will NOT have the typical UT mouth. As for my Oregonian hubby...he has a mouth full and our children telll him he can not be in the cavity free club! Matt welcomes you to the club, Trav!

Apis Melliflora said...

You're sweet-talking my teeth. They've got issues too, believe me. But no cavities and no braces.

To the fallen one: it's all those yummy Dragonfly baked goods. She did you in.:-)

Lori Gerten said...

Those crazy babies of mine made me have cavities! Otherwise I've been really lucky. I wonder what was in the water on the Army bases we lived? Heidelberg H2O was probably safe, right????

Alison Wilde said...

Wow pearly white friend---you and me together! I have teeth to be proud of "outwardly", but John says he is worth MILLIONS if I cash in the work that has been done to pave the way for these trophies. I'm sure my Northern VA dentist friend is living quite comfortable off my dental tragedies right now----Oh well, it's all about the smile, right??? Tell Travis, John just barely joined the "one cavity club" recently himself. I was actually so happy and wanted to celebrate his new membership.... we partied on some sweedish fish!!! Hugs to you beautiful dragonfly!

Burton's blog said...

We have dental issues also. Happens to the best of us. I am taking one of my "big" girls to get braces tomorrow. When she proundly ran home from preschool at the tender age a four with her tooth in hand I new this day was soon to follow. Darn those big teeth in sweet little mouths!
Good luck to Travis. Tell him to ask for the "happy juice" and he will love cavities from now on!

Tobi said...

You got braces instead of a ring? What a fascinating story!

Oh and I hate the dentist.

Marisa said...

my husband has such a sweet tooth - our dentist bills are outrageous. :D

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing my Dental history, Fear of the Dentist, and your opinion of my mouth size with the world. Appreciate that. ;-)