Teeth

[ilovelucy]

How would you react if you had to lose all your teeth.

I am having to get one pulled next week, so I started thinking about this.....

[Persephone]

The better to gum with, my dear.

I suppose there'd be some feelings of embarrassment, but that's what dentures are for. There are worse things you could lose.

The better to gum with, my dear.

I suppose there'd be some feelings of embarrassment, but that's what dentures are for. There are worse things you could lose.



Yes indeed. ;D Oh, I bet you weren't thinking what I was thinking ... ah forget it. :P

The better to gum with, my dear.

I suppose there'd be some feelings of embarrassment, but that's what dentures are for. There are worse things you could lose.



One Eyed Jack immediatly popped into my mind along with my parting comment to him...

"Knock out your teeth and I'll marry you, pussy face." 8)

[Persephone]

One Eyed Jack immediatly popped into my mind along with my parting comment to him...

"Knock out your teeth and I'll marry you, pussy face." 8)


Oh, that One Eyed Jack.

Yeah, that's almost as romantic as you are with me. :)

[ilovelucy]

The better to gum with, my dear.

I suppose there'd be some feelings of embarrassment, but that's what dentures are for. There are worse things you could lose.


this is true.

[julianna]

Im kinda anal retentive about my teeth. I go for cleanings 4 or 5 times a year and have them whitened yearly and do monthly maintenances cuz I love diet coke and love having white teeth. I think I would be freaked out too Lucy.

[ilovelucy]

Im kinda anal retentive about my teeth. I go for cleanings 4 or 5 times a year and have them whitened yearly and do monthly maintenances cuz I love diet coke and love having white teeth. I think I would be freaked out too Lucy.


I am sure your teeth are lovely, Julianna..... :)

[jeny]

I have perfect, straight teeth. ;D Never had a single cavity or braces. I did have my wisdoms out last year, I was terrified because I never had anything done to my teeth except cleaning every 6 months. I would be scared too Luce, just from lack of experience, I'm sure it'll be fine though.

[ponygurl]

85% of the people I work with have had their teeth pulled and opt not to wear the false ones that sit in the cup on the bedside stand. ;D

[wellkeptsecrets]

Lucy, why does the tooth need to be extracted? No way to save it? Just curious as I have just had $2500 worth of dental work done on my teeth. :'(

[PackerFan]

Lucy, why does the tooth need to be extracted? No way to save it? Just curious as I have just had $2500 worth of dental work done on my teeth. :'(


OUCH! :o

[wellkeptsecrets]

OUCH! :o


That's not quite the word I used. ;D

[ilovelucy]

WKS,

tooth cannot be saved, but that is okay....

2500 for dental work is rather common these days, no?

[JohnS]

WKS,

tooth cannot be saved, but that is okay....

2500 for dental work is rather common these days, no?


Hey Lucy, come on down to Augusta; I'll get you a great deal on teeth pullin. I just got a new craftsman drill for Christmas and I have some great pliers. You can have some Wild Turkey so you won't feel nothin and have those teeth out in no time. ;D

[ilovelucy]

;D ;D :-*

[Tiger]

Oh dearie - I have had teeth pulled - and cut out. My teeth absolutely suck. I have had 4 root canals - and have numerous caps. One time - I knew a tooth was getting bad and I refused to go - I get a little pissed off at it. By the time I went my dentist told me he had to take the tooth. So fucking what, I thought. But it had a twisted root and he had to saw into my jawbone to get it.

And you know what I was thinking the whole time? That just a week before - I had pulled up beside him at a stoplight - looked over - and what should I see? My dentist picking his nose - and eating it!

And now his hands were in MY mouth.

Dont worry lucy.

Which tooth is it?

Oh dearie - I have had teeth pulled - and cut out. My teeth absolutely suck.

Let's see here, now...

You're blind, your toothless, you have no tits...

What do you do? Fuck?

[Tiger]

Let's see here, now...

You're blind, your toothless, you have no tits...

What do you do? Fuck?



And tap dance.

That's gotta be worth something.

And tap dance.

That's gotta be worth something.


Indeed. Tap dancing is important.

[Tiger]

Indeed. Tap dancing is important.



Especially around a topic. ;)



BTW - for your information - Mr Smartypants - I have ONE tooth. It's growing out of my ear!

[wendy]

2500 for dental work is rather common these days, no?


That depends...on whether you want to keep your teeth. ;)

I get cleanings every 4 months. That keeps me from having to get a periodontist and I'm the only member of my family who has never had a root canal. If it takes going to the dentist 6 times a year to avoid that, I'll gladly go.

[Satan]

I have a full set of perfectly straight, pearly white teeth. They're damn near unbreakable and not the least bit sensitive to heat or cold. I eat what I like, and I can crush ice with no problem. I never go to the dentist, and if I lose these, I can buy another set exactly like them. ;)

The medication that I've been taking for 25 years to prevent seizures (and years of smoking) caused my teeth to decay at an accelerated rate. After years of expensive dental work, countless fillings, caps, and root canals, I finally just said "Fuck this. Yank 'em." After the initial shock of taking that giant leap toward 'old man-hood', it hasn't negatively affected my life in the slightest. Oh, I can't chew gum anymore. Whatever shall I do? ::)


badnews, how much money you got, big boy? :-* ;)

[ilovelucy]

Let's see here, now...

You're blind, your toothless, you have no tits...

What do you do? Fuck?


No, I will be deaf, toothless and have no tits, but boy can I read! ;D

I dread the dentist.

[Julia]

It is very important to take good care of your teeth and see a dentist regularly, but the dental industry is a racket.

When I was 19, a student, and on my dad's insurance, I went to the dentist. She said I had over 20 cavities!!! She filled the bottom ones, but when my fiance died, I left the state and didn't go back to get the rest of the cavities filled. It was several years before I went back to a dentist.

When I finally went to a dentist I KNEW I had lots of cavities that needed to be filled. Amazingly, I had NO cavities. :o What happened?

My brother-in-law is a dentist who has his own practice. When he was just out of dental school, he went to work for an established dentist. He hated it because he had QUOTAS. He was required to do so many cavity fills, caps, extractions, etc. per month. He was unable to meet those requirements without exaggerating patients' needs.

(btw, according to Dr. Fo, the absolute WORST thing for your teeth is soda. Dr. Pepper and Coke are the worst, but even he won't give up the Pepper.)

I brush my teeth twice a day, floss several times a week, and go in for a cleaning once or twice a year. I had two extractions when I was 11 for braces. I had braces for almost 2 years. I had my bottom wisdom teeth removed when I was about 21, and I got dry socket in both partly because my oral surgeon neglected to tell me not to use a straw. (He told me not to smoke, but I didn't listen... It's the sucking motion that pulls out the clots that need to form.)

Sometimes I dream about my teeth. When I had braces, I would be in so much pain that I would dream I was a vampire, biting trees. :D Now, there is a dream I have where my teeth just fall out, like from radiation, or something... Yikes!

It is also very important to take good care of your gums. Gum disease may harm the heart, too (http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/home/research-detail.cfm?reutersid=3018)

Good luck, luc. Having one tooth removed shouldn't be too bad. Are they doing a bridge?

Just remember...no sucking! :D

When I was 19, a student, and on my dad's insurance, I went to the dentist. She said I had over 20 cavities!!! She filled the bottom ones, but when my fiance died, I left the state and didn't go back to get the rest of the cavities filled. It was several years before I went back to a dentist.

When I finally went to a dentist I KNEW I had lots of cavities that needed to be filled. Amazingly, I had NO cavities. :o What happened?

The exact same thing happened to me, except it was only 17 cavities. I hadn't gone to a dentist for four years when I was in the military because I had seen what military dentists can do. I go to my family dentist and it turns out I have a mouthful of them. We schedule the appointments and in the meantime I go to another dentist, don't say a word to him, get all the X-rays and same deal. I have NO cavities.

I went back to the other dentist and asked him to show me where all these cavities were and it turned out they weren't cavities but OLD fillings that he wanted to replace.

He never saw me again.

[ponygurl]

I have a problem with a couple aspects of dentistry.
One is the way they hound the hell out of you to go in for your 6 month check ups.
Another is the way some dentists identify, and fill cavities on teeth that children are going to lose within less than a year.
My mother, who is quite elderly and has a hard time travelling in the bad weather, Got a notice in the mail from her dentist stating.." If you cancel three appointments in a row, we will no longer offer our services to you".
A racket? Yep.. that's one way of saying it.

[ilovelucy]

Actually, this is a result of an accident I had when I was seven. I lost two front teeth because of the damage by the time I was 17....I am rather lucky that the other teeth have held up considering my dentist in high school told me all the front teeth would eventually decline regardless of what I did....

Thanks for the encouraging words.

I think dentistry is a major racket, btw. A friend of mine just paid oodles for a couple of root canals....I would have said, pull them--

Another friend who was an aspiring model had all her teeth pulled at age 19 so she could have perfect-looking teeth for her professional aspirations....I wonder how she feels about the decision now. She would be my age....advanced middle age, that is....:D

Another is the way some dentists identify, and fill cavities on teeth that children are going to lose within less than a year.

My ex got suckered into getting a "baby root canal" on a tooth that fell out six months later...stupid bitch. ::)

[ponygurl]

My ex got suckered into getting a "baby root canal" on a tooth that fell out six months later...stupid bitch. ::)

Had a dentist who caters to kids try to convince me to have a root canal done on my oldest daughter. To "save" the space.. she said. Zoe lost the tooth in less than a year. ::)

[ilovelucy]

There is an inherent problem in the medical profession, including dentistry, and that is that there has to be a need for surgeries, use of those fancy machines, etc. in order for them to stay in business.....

There is an inherent problem in the medical profession, including dentistry, and that is that there has to be a need for surgeries, use of those fancy machines, etc. in order for them to stay in business.....




Walt's gonna come by here and set you straight, you know?

I have an internist that I go to every 3 or 4 months. The office visit costs $70.00. He spends a full hour with me each time, a thorough check up, ENT, the works...gives me about $300.00 worth of samples. I'm sure that sumbitch ain't getting rich on me if you do the math on his hourly fees.

[ilovelucy]

bad,

you have a good doctor, much along the lines of what the Chinese do--a doctor is supposed to help you stay healthy.....

[ponygurl]

There is an inherent problem in the medical profession, including dentistry, and that is that there has to be a need for surgeries, use of those fancy machines, etc. in order for them to stay in business.....



There is another inherent problem in the medical industry called "unions". At least in Canada there is.
We have a nurses Union in Ontario. This Union allows mediocre staff to remain employed without improving their attitudes or even examining them.
On the note of machines.
My father is currently in the hospital.
His morale is low and he is not allowed many drugs that offer very painful joints comfort. therefore, his ability to move is poor.
He was sitting in a Geri chair the other day, in which he had been resting the majority of the morning. He has a humungous bedsore on his backside, which was hurting in the chair.
I asked a passing nurse to help me get him into bed.
"not until rounds" she curtly answered me.
After another 30 minutes he was moaning in pain, and I stepped into the hall and loudly said to the same nurse.."my dad is VERY uncomfortable", to which she answered cheerily in the face of scrutiny of her peers and visitors of other patients.."ok..I'll be happy to help".
Along they came with a lift. I had asked Daddy if I could help him into bed alone, and he said he didn't think the two of us could manoever it without the help of a third person for the transfer. I saw the lift, and sai to the nurse.."he doesn't think he can do it with just me , but with your help...."

That insufferable bitch answered.. "well.. i asked him to stand for me this morning.. and he said he couldn't..so if he doesn't have the mindset to try.. why should I break my back".
Is this what our Nursing colleges turn out? How pathetic.
What happened to the nurturing, encouraging, loving nurses of our past?
I have seen far too many half assed, negative moralled nurses in Ontario's hospitals, and if this is the trend of Canada's nursing, it is no bloody wonder we are losing the best to the States. >:(
>:(

[ilovelucy]

I just said a wee prayer for your Dad, pony....

This is a sad thing. We have many caring nurses here, from my experience.....I have been fortunate, though.

[jeny]

Pony,

Since I am entering the field (slowly) I have noticed how incredibly easy it is to become a nurse. I think it should be a four year degree, at least, but it's not, unfortuneately. I think a lot of people enter the field for the wrong reasons, and then do not consider carefully their choice of speciality. I'll work with babies or new mother, since I am passioante about both, but I also know my ultimate "reward" will not be the money. ;)

Also, I'm not sure how your socialized medicine plays a part in all of your nursing issues up there, but I'm sure it doesn't help. In any case, nursing is a field in demand around here, I'm sure I won't have trouble finding a suitable position, especially since I intend to get the B.S. (maybe beyond) instead of just the A.A.

[Persephone]

I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't go to the dentist with any sort of regularity. My parents never once took me to a dentist as a child. It was considered a luxury that we couldn't afford. I still have that attitude. It just costs too much.

I have been lucky, though, that I don't have problems with my teeth. I've had my wisdom teeth out and one filling...the sum total of dental work in my entire life.

[ponygurl]

I just said a wee prayer for your Dad, pony....

This is a sad thing. We have many caring nurses here, from my experience.....I have been fortunate, though.

Thanks Luce. We have caring nurses too. It must be hard for them to remain positive when the majority of their co workers are so damned negative though. >:(

I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't go to the dentist with any sort of regularity. My parents never once took me to a dentist as a child. It was considered a luxury that we couldn't afford. I still have that attitude. It just costs too much.

I have been lucky, though, that I don't have problems with my teeth. I've had my wisdom teeth out and one filling...the sum total of dental work in my entire life.


If you ever come into a windfall, maybe you could go in for a consult on that snaggle tooth? ;D

[ponygurl]

Pony,

Since I am entering the field (slowly) I have noticed how incredibly easy it is to become a nurse. I think it should be a four year degree, at least, but it's not, unfortuneately. I think a lot of people enter the field for the wrong reasons, and then do not consider carefully their choice of speciality. I'll work with babies or new mother, since I am passioante about both, but I also know my ultimate "reward" will not be the money. ;)

Also, I'm not sure how your socialized medicine plays a part in all of your nursing issues up there, but I'm sure it doesn't help. In any case, nursing is a field in demand around here, I'm sure I won't have trouble finding a suitable position, especially since I intend to get the B.S. (maybe beyond) instead of just the A.A.

I have NO use for Unions. Medical, teachers.. any of them.
Everyone should have to work their asses off to survive and climb the ladder.

[Persephone]

If you ever come into a windfall, maybe you could go in for a consult on that snaggle tooth? ;D


Shithead. :P

[ponygurl]

If you ever come into a windfall, maybe you could go in for a consult on that snaggle tooth? ;D

Kill him Suth.
BTW.. what's a snaggle tooth?

[jeny]

I have NO use for Unions. Medical, teachers.. any of them.
Everyone should have to work their asses off to survive and climb the ladder.


I am watching with enormous pleasure how much people just do not care about the union strikers in southern CA, you know, the grocery cashiers that make $15/hr. ::)

I am watching with enormous pleasure how much people just do not care about the union strikers in southern CA, you know, the grocery cashiers that make $15/hr. ::)


Can you believe that is still going on? :o

I think they've made their point. I also think corporate has made their point.

The point is "Eat shit and die."

Pisses me off so much I'm going to Albertsons this very minute to crash the picket line for a pack of gum.

[ponygurl]

I am watching with enormous pleasure how much people just do not care about the union strikers in southern CA, you know, the grocery cashiers that make $15/hr. ::)

I love it when Union decide to strike in the dead of winter here. I always hope for a cold snap. Let them freeze their asses off to picket. Make them glad to go back to work.

[wendy]

Pony,

Since I am entering the field (slowly) I have noticed how incredibly easy it is to become a nurse. I think it should be a four year degree, at least, but it's not, unfortuneately.

In the past, you had to have a BSN to become a Registered Nurse. You could become a LPN in two, but hospitals restricted what you were allowed to do. When we faced a nursing shortage, they relaxed the requirements and switched RNs to a two year program. It hasn't been a benefit for the profession or the patients.

[jeny]

Can you believe that is still going on? :o

I think they've made their point. I also think corporate has made their point.

The point is "Eat shit and die."

Pisses me off so much I'm going to Albertsons this very minute to crash the picket line for a pack of gum.



No, I cannot believe it's still going on. ;D I've heard that some of them are going back to work, despite what the union says, and that the corporates have allied against the stupid union. A few weeks back, they tried to start something up here, off duty cashiers picketing in solidarity or some such baloney. It didn't last long, it's the rainy season you know. ;D

[Persephone]

Kill him Suth.
BTW.. what's a snaggle tooth?


I have this one tooth that appears to stick out when I have my picture taken and I'm trying not to smile...it's just a self-conscious habit. I had really never noticed I did it until someone was kind enough to point it out.

My teeth have been examined, though, in much the same way you'd look if you were thinking of buying a horse, and this tooth was pronounced no more prominent than the others.

So there.

[jeny]

In the past, you had to have a BSN to become a Registered Nurse. You could become a LPN in two, but hospitals restricted what you were allowed to do. When we faced a nursing shortage, they relaxed the requirements and switched RNs to a two year program. It hasn't been a benefit for the profession or the patients.


Right. Around here, most RNs get their AA degrees at community colleges, which have no entrance requirements except that you're breathing. ;D If you want the BSN, you have to qualify for the State University, which while not overly difficult, is more than the AA.

[ponygurl]

In the past, you had to have a BSN to become a Registered Nurse. You could become a LPN in two, but hospitals restricted what you were allowed to do. When we faced a nursing shortage, they relaxed the requirements and switched RNs to a two year program. It hasn't been a benefit for the profession or the patients.

The nurses doing the hands on care here are mostly RPN's. They complete a three year course. The RN's have the more demanding jobs. They have more responsibilities for medicals.
The RPN's (the less educated) SHOULD be the more caring of the two. They are hands on, patient care. This has nothing to do with education. This has to do with piss poor attitude.

[ponygurl]

I have this one tooth that appears to stick out when I have my picture taken and I'm trying not to smile...it's just a self-conscious habit. I had really never noticed I did it until someone was kind enough to point it out.

My teeth have been examined, though, in much the same way you'd look if you were thinking of buying a horse, and this tooth was pronounced no more prominent than the others.

So there.

Teeth, like tits, are over rated. ;D

[Julia]

I hate the medical system so much...that I want to be a doctor. I would like to be a local doctor that makes house calls. Or a healer in some regard, anyway...

I was planning to double major in History/Political Science, but I am seriously considering switching to pre-med. I just have to get some math and science classes under my belt to see if I'm smart enough to be able to get through med school.

I would really like to be a D.O. or an N.D., and I am very interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I am looking into transfering to the University of Arizona because they have a really good medical school. Ideally, I would like to study integrative medicine under Dr. Weil's program.

My biggest concern is my age. If I do it, I'll be in my early to mid 40's before I can even start practicing. :(

My mom says I'm too old, but I have had three teachers tell me that I should go for it and that I would do well on either the LSAT or the MEDCAP.

???

[Persephone]

I hate the medical system so much...that I want to be a doctor. I would like to be a local doctor that makes house calls. Or a healer in some regard, anyway...

I was planning to double major in History/Political Science, but I am seriously considering switching to pre-med. I just have to get some math and science classes under my belt to see if I'm smart enough to be able to get through med school.

I would really like to be a D.O. or an N.D., and I am very interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I am looking into transfering to the University of Arizona because they have a really good medical school. Ideally, I would like to study integrative medicine under Dr. Weil's program.

My biggest concern is my age. If I do it, I'll be in my early to mid 40's before I can even start practicing. :(

My mom says I'm too old, but I have had three teachers tell me that I should go for it and that I would do well on either the LSAT or the MEDCAP.

???



I know someone who is currently working on a master's degree. She'll be fifty when she finishes. When people ask her if that bothers her, she says, "I'll be fifty in two years whether I have a master's degree or not."

[ilovelucy]

oh hell, go for it! Early 40's is nothing!

[Julia]

I know someone who is currently working on a master's degree. She'll be fifty when she finishes. When people ask her if that bothers her, she says, "I'll be fifty in two years whether I have a master's degree or not."


That's kinda the attitude I have.

If I don't do this, I'll still be in my early 40's when I'm in my early 40's; I just won't be a doctor in my early 40's.

I never listened to my mom, anyway. Why should I start after 36 years?

[Julia]

oh hell, go for it! Early 40's is nothing!


I've seen your picture. When one looks as good as you, early 40's is nothing.
:)

[MADG]

How would you react if you had to lose all your teeth.

I am having to get one pulled next week, so I started thinking about this.....


Sorry to hear about your pending extraction. I’ve been working on NOT losing any more teeth, so it would bother me greatly if I “had to” lose any of them.

For me, the big deal is not the extraction… it’s the two-three days of misery afterwards. I have long roots, which is good… until you have to yank them out… then I’m left with a big gaping hole in my head.

BEFORE you start, ask your dentist what he or she is going to give you (or prescribe) for pain AFTER the extraction. This is somewhat “negotiable”… they’ll probably start by offering a Motrin prescription (which is silly since you can buy that over-the-counter), but if you want something stronger, ARRANGE for it BEFORE they start. For me, it’s either Tylenol-3 with codeine or Percocet… and if he doesn’t agree to that beforehand, then I won’t do the extraction. (Of course, I’ve already planned to spend two days on the couch after the extraction, so it’s not like I have anything better to do… might as well get zonked.) :)

[Tiger]

No, I cannot believe it's still going on. ;D I've heard that some of them are going back to work, despite what the union says, and that the corporates have allied against the stupid union. A few weeks back, they tried to start something up here, off duty cashiers picketing in solidarity or some such baloney. It didn't last long, it's the rainy season you know. ;D




I can't stand union folks.

Losers all.

Reagan became my hero when the air traffic controllers were creating such fear threatening to strike and stop this entire country unless their demands were met.

At midnight they walked - a few minutes after REagan fired the lot of them.

Now THERE was a man who knew what to do with blackmailers.

I was not aware of the grocery strike - but I would be willing to bet it might be related to a very good friend of my daughter's being flown to CA later this week to work for three weeks. They are paying her ticket - accomodations, giving her a rental car - and all to train night stockers. She is having her 21 birthday in two days and leaving right after that.

[ilovelucy]

I've seen your picture. When one looks as good as you, early 40's is nothing.
:)


you sweet thing! :-*

[ilovelucy]

And thanks for the advice regarding pain relief, madg....