visiting the dentist...
One day this week, after work, I had to go to the dentist. I had put it off long enough. Even though I didn't really want to go, we get to a point in our lives where -our don't want to's - are outweighed by our responsibilities. Going to the dentist is something I know I must do, at least, semi-regularly in order to have healthy teeth. I am not fond of this practice. There are three main reasons why I lay in that chair holding my owns hands in a tight grip and stare at the ceiling with an intense look on my face.
1. I feel a bit uncomfortable at the fact that there is no designated place to look during the procedure. As I sit in that chair, my head and gaze are directed toward the ceiling. Yet there is nothing for me to stare at. I have often wondered why dentists don't post posters, or better yet a TV screen coming right out of the ceiling. Instead I lay there trying to find something to fixate my gaze upon. There are only so many times you can count the tiles, or stare at the lights before your eyes go a little fuzzy. I sit there and try to strategically NOT stare at the person working on my teeth. There is nothing more uncomfortable than when you just kind of glance over at them, and they choose that moment to look you in the eye. You dart your eyes quickly away like you were caught cheating on a test. I feel as though it is rude if I stare at them while they work. (Plus, I am just not that fond of direct eye contact)
2. I use a toothbrush with semi-soft bristles to clean my teeth daily. When I go to the dentist, they feel the need to drill, or sand away the dirtiness build-up. I realize these are standard and perfectly safe tools. But the vibrations these tools cause leave an image in my head of smoke pouring out of my mouth in the attempts to clean the teeth. Its not the most comforting feeling in the world.
3. I NEVER know what to do with my tongue! This is the chore that keeps me half annoyed, and half embarrassed during the entire visit. I know that I must keep my mouth open for them to clean my teeth, but what do I do with my tongue? Do I hold it up to keep it away from my bottom teeth? But then don't I look retarded with my tongue all tense and stretched out.....Do I flatten it on the bottom of my mouth? But when I try to do that and hold my mouth open, my mouth sllloooowwwwlllyyy closes to where they have a centimeter of open mouth to work in.......Do I have it touch the roof of my mouth? But when I do that all the water reside from their work falls down my throat and chokes me before that tiny vacuum sucks it out. It's like my tongue goes stupid. Not only does it not know where to go, but it falls in love with that tiny water vacuum. Every time they have me close my mouth so it can suck the water out, my tongue blocks the vacuum and scares the living crap out of me.
The good news is, that this visit usually only lasts around 20-30 minutes, and both my dental hygienist and dentist are some of the nicest people. I walk out with teeth that feel squeaky clean to the tongues touch. It's good to know that those few moments of uncomfortable silence and twitching have a nice result. I'm sure I will go back....sometime soon :)
1. I feel a bit uncomfortable at the fact that there is no designated place to look during the procedure. As I sit in that chair, my head and gaze are directed toward the ceiling. Yet there is nothing for me to stare at. I have often wondered why dentists don't post posters, or better yet a TV screen coming right out of the ceiling. Instead I lay there trying to find something to fixate my gaze upon. There are only so many times you can count the tiles, or stare at the lights before your eyes go a little fuzzy. I sit there and try to strategically NOT stare at the person working on my teeth. There is nothing more uncomfortable than when you just kind of glance over at them, and they choose that moment to look you in the eye. You dart your eyes quickly away like you were caught cheating on a test. I feel as though it is rude if I stare at them while they work. (Plus, I am just not that fond of direct eye contact)
2. I use a toothbrush with semi-soft bristles to clean my teeth daily. When I go to the dentist, they feel the need to drill, or sand away the dirtiness build-up. I realize these are standard and perfectly safe tools. But the vibrations these tools cause leave an image in my head of smoke pouring out of my mouth in the attempts to clean the teeth. Its not the most comforting feeling in the world.
3. I NEVER know what to do with my tongue! This is the chore that keeps me half annoyed, and half embarrassed during the entire visit. I know that I must keep my mouth open for them to clean my teeth, but what do I do with my tongue? Do I hold it up to keep it away from my bottom teeth? But then don't I look retarded with my tongue all tense and stretched out.....Do I flatten it on the bottom of my mouth? But when I try to do that and hold my mouth open, my mouth sllloooowwwwlllyyy closes to where they have a centimeter of open mouth to work in.......Do I have it touch the roof of my mouth? But when I do that all the water reside from their work falls down my throat and chokes me before that tiny vacuum sucks it out. It's like my tongue goes stupid. Not only does it not know where to go, but it falls in love with that tiny water vacuum. Every time they have me close my mouth so it can suck the water out, my tongue blocks the vacuum and scares the living crap out of me.
The good news is, that this visit usually only lasts around 20-30 minutes, and both my dental hygienist and dentist are some of the nicest people. I walk out with teeth that feel squeaky clean to the tongues touch. It's good to know that those few moments of uncomfortable silence and twitching have a nice result. I'm sure I will go back....sometime soon :)
hahaha-you find humor and life lessons in the most unusual circumstances....i like your two new quotes....
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