My latest syringe encounter

So, like most people I have a skeleton in my closet. That skeleton is that I don't like to floss. Lately I have been doing it, but I don't like it. I find it tideous and unwelcome by my gums (and fingers). Growing up, we didn't have dental insurance, so I rarely went to the dentist. I didn't have insurance at NU and the no-dentist-seeing trend continued into my career at Ford. Finally last year I caved in and went to see one after roughly 8 or 9 years. It turned out that I only had three cavities after that time, and they were between the molars (due to non flossing). Everything else was really well. The dentist warned me that I should not take that to mean that I could wait another 9 years to see her again.

So, I was a little surprised to find out last week that I have another cavity - between the molars again. I had the filling put in today. The right side of my face is still numb. The novicane went all the way up to my eye socket; it feels weird when I close my eyes hard. The thing is, I really like my dentist in Dearborn. She was really nice and the office was full of hot nurses, which will always dull the pain in my mouth and wallet.

This new dentist has all male nurses. They are nice guys, but can't begin to make up for the lack of women under 55 in that office. And one of them called me "Andrika". I usually don't care if you mess up my name, but don't change my gender in the process. Anyway, I'm satisfied with the end result, and am sure that I will tongue my Permanent Maxillary Right First Molar (#3) until the filler smooths out.

Here is what I had to stare at while the novicane took set:













The dentist recommended that I slide the floss between my teeth and, instead of pulling it out from the top the way I inserted it in, to pull the whole length of floss through the side of the teeth. That seems really strange to me. I'll give it a try, but I'm sure it'll give me another reason to dislike the whole process.