Friday, February 25, 2011

A Mouthful of Money



When I saw what Linda's subject was for today, I felt I had to participate.  I could write a book about teeth and dental procedures and I have literally, thousands of dollars of dental work in this mouth of mind.  Here we go, and I know all of you are most interested..........~chuckle~
What are your dental memories of childhood? My very first memory of going to the dentist was probably when I was about 8 years old.  The dentist ran his office out of his house and for those younger folks, the dental chairs you sat in while being worked on were NOT the recliner type that we have today.  They were "  sit up straight"   type chairs with these little "  thingys"   that cradled your neck. I doubt seriously that I went to the dentist much before this time, but I can assure you that I have managed to make up for it. I well remember the huge syringes that the Dr. used to give the deadening agent and I was absolutely scared too death but managed to survive it.

Who pulled your baby teeth and how was it done - with a tissue, string, or other method? Was it a traumatic experience or no big deal? Did you have to have any teeth pulled by the dentist? I well remember it being a very traumatic experience but only because I acted so silly about it.  My tooth would be barely hanging on and my Dad would start to go ahead and pull it and I would start screaming.  Of course, he didn't have much patience for that and things usually escalated from there.  After he got through with me I usually opened my mouth, stood still and he calmly reached in and pulled it out.  I have had two wisdom teeth and one other tooth pulled by a dentist and it wasn't that big of a deal.

Did the tooth fairy visit your house? If so, how much did you get for each tooth and how long did that last? Yes, the tooth fairy did visit our house and I just thought it was totally amazing how she could come into my room, get the tooth out from under my pillow and leave me a quarter in return.  I always said I was going to stay awake all night and see her, but, I never did. ~grin~  I guess she continued to come until we were around 9 or 10.

How old were you at your first dental visit? Did you go regularly? Did you have any/many cavities as a child?  I was about 8-9 years old and I do not remember going regularly, but I do remember that every time I did go, I always had a cavity and it's still pretty much that way. ~laugh~

Was dental hygiene taught in school? Was flossing a big deal when you were growing up? Did you have braces and, if so, for how long? Did you have to wear rubber bands, head/neck gear or other additional "accessories"? Did you need braces but your parents couldn't afford them? Have you had braces as an adult?
I do not remember dental hygiene being taught in school and I do not remember knowing anything about flossing until I was in my 20's and to this day, I hate doing it!  I have never had braces or any other apparatus' for my mouth.

Do you have any fond/funny//traumatic memories of old relatives or friends and their false teeth? Oh, my paternal Grandmother would entertain us with her false teeth all the time.  It is one of my many fond memories of her.  There was never a dull moment with her.  


As I stated, just about every time I have gone to the dentist in my life, I have either had a cavity or something else wrong.  I think I pretty much have a filling in every tooth in my head, and I've had 11 root canals, yes you read that right, 11 of those little fellas!!!  And, I've had surgery on the root of one of my teeth.  Needless to say, I have spent hours upon hours in a dental chair and dollars upon dollars on dental bills.  Its's a shame your family cannot cash in your teeth when you die. ~chuckle~ But, I have managed to keep my teeth in my head and I guess that makes it all worth it. ~smile~


No doubt this was way more than you ever wanted to know or cared to know about my "  dental history"   but hopefully you had a laugh or two while reading.


I'm linking up with my Company Girls too and invite you to click on either button for more Friday entertainment.


Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

20 comments:

  1. Oh my - I'm cringing just reading about it! My dad was a Teamster; our first dental visits were in their clinics, with the same type of chairs.

    While I can remember my dad's partial plate laying on the sink, I myself seem to have been blessed; no cavities, no dental work ever. It rather puts the pressure on those semi-annual visits - after 52 years, is this the time I finally have a cavity?!

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  2. Oh boy. I have lots to say about teeth. Sometimes it just doesn't matter how much/well you brush, cavities still come. I had braces, so that was interesting. My grandma has false teeth too. That was interesting as well. =p Now to go make an appointment. We haven't found a good dentist since we moved.

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  3. I have AWFUL teeth, I totally understand your pain. Chris never flosses and has never had a cavity in his life. I am the queen of dental hygiene and....Ugh! Unfortunately, I think the kids got my teeth!

    Have a great weekend!

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  4. ELEVEN root canals?! Oh my! I've never minded going to the dentist, but I am scared to death of needing a root canal.

    Thanks for playing along!

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  5. Yowsa! ~ I've only had one root canal. I can't imagine doing that 11 times. I've had that same tooth crowned...twice. My hubby and I wanted them to melt down the first to make the second, or at least allow a trade-in. ha ha

    I have gone to the dentist as long as I can remember, including needing his help to remove baby teeth that just didn't want to come out.. or had cracked in the process, etc. :-\

    It's too long of a story, but I've stopped going in recent years. I take the kids instead and spend plenty of money that way. (over $1500 a year ago) And let's not talk about the orthodontist.

    Even so, come Lord Jesus... quickly! =)

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  6. Well, Cici, there isn't much more to know about your teeth, is there? Unless you are like me and forgot about something to tell.
    I am very glad for you that you are keeping your teeth for a long time.

    I think I have had at least eleven root canals also. One of my last ones pulled was my first root canal.
    ..
    BTW, Mrs. Jim is from Alexandria, LA.
    ..

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  7. Oh my, don't even get me started on teeth! I have 2 teeth missing from birth and need to have (very expensive) implants put in. In time, in time, in time. Right now, I've got my kids teeth to care for. Including braces for my Chloe girl.

    Thank you for praying for Samuel, my dear friend. And thank you for the card. It was beautiful.

    You are a blessing to me.

    Rachel

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  8. I don't like flossing either. I've found that the little sticks with a piece of floss on the end work well for me and I prefer that over flossing.

    Have a great weekend!
    Bethany

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  9. Oh my, 11 rootcanals? You are a brave, brave women, and my hero! I really dislike the dentist, and avoid it if at all possible! :)
    Blessings

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog :) I hope to add more 'in progress' pics of the house reno's as we go along.

    I have such a strong memory of having to chew those red thingies at school, on the teeth check days. The ones that stain your teeth red where you have plaque. And they tasted like chalk!

    I always had good teeth (thank goodness), and have only a few cavities as an adult. Johnette, my hygenist for years, would yank so hard during a cleaning that my neck would hurt after! I haven't seen her in years, and am VERY happy with my current dentist.

    Neat post :)

    Have a great weekend!

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  11. Ugh! I too have spent WAY more than I care on fillings, caps, crowns and root canals... not to mention dentures. I am no stranger to the dental chair... but I wish I were. I do not care for the dentist/denturist although I've not had a bad exerience~ I just know each time I go I'm getting antoher shot! :-)

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  12. Thank you for visiting me. Yes I loved all the small changes that I continued today making a few more around the house.
    My husband has very poor teeth, while I used to have very good teeth. Then after I had my youngest the dentist found 8 cavities. Now I have 2 more. I went without a cavity for 20 years and all of the sudden, bam there they were.
    Hopefully I will be able to stop it in its tracks.
    It was a fun read. Thank you.

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  13. Oh my 11 root canals! That makes my teeth hurt just thinking about it. Those syringes, yikkes!
    Have a great weekend!

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  14. Oh...we need to go to the dentist...all six of us...ahhhh

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  15. I have nightmares about teeth - I'm pretty sure there is something wrong with that. Literally, one of my recurring dreams is of my teeth being very loose in their sockets and/or falling out. I also imagine falling down and breaking my teeth off. YUCK!

    I need to get a dental check up - thanks for reminding me!

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  16. Oh, I had nightmares abt going to the dentist....I used to hide behind the door i the office and hope that if they didn't see me then they wouldn't call me...never worked! I, too, have spent many, many hours in the dentist chair and unfortunately still do....my teeth seem to be very fragile and break easily....I'm hoping to hold onto them though since the alternative makes me shudder...vanity, thy name is Marie!

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  17. This is great because my oldest is just losing her baby teeth left and right. She is now 2 front teeth toothless and just lost another one on the bottom. I'm afraid she'll have barely any teeth left to chew! :)

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  18. Oh my word, Lea...I'm married to a dentist! How funny - so tempted to do this just for fun and to make him giggle! LOVE IT!

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  19. I work as a dietitian in long-term-care--and I have developed a new appreciation for preventative dental work! It's so much easier to eat and talk and enjoy life if your teeth are kept in good condition (even if that means getting the cavities filled, the root canals done, etc. rather than not getting them in the first place.)

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  20. When you've considered whether a NHS dental specialist or private one would suit you better,Dentist for Children in Sector 120 Noi

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!