Soooo…
Unless you have a health plan, there is no dental coverage in Canada. Luckily my kids are on my ex’s plan. But me… Well, I hadn’t been to the dentist in almost 11 years.
Misty was having no more of that. “Consider it my Christmas present to you. And selfishly me, because I love your smile.” S/he said to me kissing my forehead.
“Thank you…?” I laughed, with no shortage if nervousness.
Now a couple of things, nothing was bothering me in my mouth at all, so I wasn’t in any pain. And 2, I have never, not even on my baby teeth, had a cavity. It’s like this weird thing about me.
So off to our family dentist I go. The first appointment they just wanted to take x-rays and assess my mouth. They took tons of them.
“You haven’t been here, or to any dentist, in a long time. We want to make sure we find all the problem areas.” the hygienists says to me, and I could almost see the dollar signs in her eyes.
“Okay…” I respond… now I’m worried.
After all the x-rays, a confused hygienist says she’ll grab the dentist to review everything and “be right back.”
In walks the dentist “Almost 11 years, eh? Well *insert dramatic pause here* you have no cavities. None. And your teeth are strong and healthy. Your gums look good too. But you should be in here at least once a year!” He looks sternly at me. He’s ramping up for a big lecture on gum disease. Which he does give me.
“Now your bottom two teeth are a little over lapping… Have you considered braces?”
“No. Not once. I’m not interested at all.” I reply, thinking ‘what the actual fuck, you rich asshole’.
“It will make it easier to keep those teeth cleaned.” He presses on with the sales pitch.
“I think I’m managing. No cavities. 11 years. I’m good.” I say firmly.
He relents. And away I go to pay my bill. Misty also gave me enough for a cleaning, so I book that.
“Since you haven’t been here in a while, you may need more than one appointment…” The receptionist goes on, I raise an eyebrow. “But we’ll start with one.”
I only needed one.
And the woman who cleaned them said, “You have very pretty teeth.”
It was an awesome Christmas present. ❤ Both the part where Misty thought about my health, and having my teeth be more than okay. Becca 1, Dentist 0.