a trip to the dentist

Kim's been wanting me to go to the dentist for quite some time. So today I went. After the initial interview with the dentist and the usual xrays, I settled into the other chair for the cleaning.

"When was the last time you had your teeth cleaned?" asked the dental hygienist.
"Ummm, I think it was October, maybe, October of 2000."
"Oh! Wow, 8 years is a long time. We may have our work cut out for us..."

I don't like to have metal pointy things jabbed into my gums any more than the average USAmerican. The prospect of pain makes me start to sweat. The idea of discovering a decayed tooth by jabbing it with a metal pick does not appeal to me.

But the hygienist was pretty surprised at the good shape my teeth and gums are in. Zero cavities, minimal tartar build up, next to no bleeding as she picked at my gumline...She even encouraged me to keep up the good work.

All except the part about not visiting the dentist for 8 years. Yeah, not that part...but I do have mad brushing skills.