Ok, in our efforts to think through what we might need to have with us or have done before we leave for a 3rd world country for the next 3 years, we have pursued going to the dentist.

I. hate. the. dentist.

I know that hate is a strong word, and I don't mean it personally, I just do-not-like-it-to-the-point-of-hating everything that has to do with going to the dentist.

I don't like mint flavor anything, everything at the dentist is mint flavor. hmpf! I even use kids toothpaste because I can't stand how strong the flavor is in adult toothpaste ...

I don't like that towel thing around my neck that is a mess by the time I'm done. humiliating!

And, who ever in their right mind invented that pointy hook metal tool that scrapes your teeth?



Are you kidding me!!!!! ????

I was cringing so much that she 'gave me a break' (thanks for that) and I told her how it just is like nails on a chalkboard inside my mouth. How else does it sound?

Granted, she is a dental hygienist so she must have a passion for this kind of thing, so I'm sure it must just be music to her ears.



She apologized and then tried something else.

Don't remember the name of it, but it's an electronic metal hook thing, that actually was probably plastic on the end and it uses a high vibration and water to do what the other thing would do when it scraped my teeth with it's metal hook.

Now this is an invention.



Besides the water kinda going everywhere, I couldn't believe how much better it was. So, if your looking for a better way - this is it!

Then came the polish. Hate this too.

She asked me if I liked this. After I shook my head ferociously "NO" she seemed disappointed. I felt bad for disappointing her, but I really, really don't like it.

She went on to explain how much this is her favorite part b/c her teeth are so smooth, etc... etc... after it is done, while I am sitting there thinking, "just give me a big piece of hard candy and get me out of here!"



After not too much more I was done.

Now, don't take me for a completely ungrateful horrible person.

I am very thankful to have the option to go the dentist and have my teeth hopefully until I die.

I am very thankful to go to a great dentist, like Dr. Stacy Johnson (www.drstacyjohnson.com) that on his business card says "comfortable dentistry". Now I can appreciate that. He's already given me meds to get me as loopy as possible when I have to have fillings next week... Thank you Dr. J!!!!

There are so many that never get to go (which is a privilege, I do know and realize this) to a dentist and I venture to wonder how many people in our world don't even know what a dentist is. I am sure there are many more than what we would guess.

So, as my heart is so grateful for all the accommodations of this wonderful dentist, I still just can't seem to deal with it very well. Very disappointed in myself for this.

After I drank a big fountain coke and ate a bag of cheddar and sour cream chips I felt much better!