The Teeth I Want to Keep

As a kid, I wasn't one for dental hygiene. I once asked my dad if I really had to floss my teeth.  He came back to me, saying, "I'll tell you what..." It was a tone that made me think a deal could be struck.  I listened intently.  He then said, "You only need to floss the teeth you want to keep." 

Ugh.

 I knew he was right.  While my flossing diligence has not always kept pace and I do sometimes take my teeth for granted, oral hygiene is ultimately important to me.  God has blessed me with good teeth, and I want to keep them as long as I can.

I had kept all my dental appointments up until 2020.  However, in 2020, the Covid-19 Pandemic broke out right when I was supposed to come in for a cleaning (which had already been delayed due to having some respiratory infections).  Not only did the pandemic break out but my own health declined dramatically with increasing hypersensitivities.

By the time I made it into the dentist's office, it had been approximately 18 months since my last cleaning.  By that time, the tartar situation was not good.

When I did get there, I was nervous. Heart-rate-at-105-bpm-in-the-waiting-room nervous. I wasn't sure what my new hyper-reactive body would do at the dentist.  I told the hygienist about my situation and submitted to her care.  She used a water tool that I had never had used on me before.  It felt like a power washer for the teeth and was amazingly effective.  I started to settle down.  I could do this. 

And then, suddenly I couldn't do this.  I felt nauseated and not well. Heart-rate-at-135-bpm not well.  We took a break and then she quickly finished up.  However, even as my heart rate settled, I continued to not feel well and developed a respiratory infection for the next 3 days.

What we've determined is that the tool was quite effective on the tartar and plaque, but it is known to aerosolize the bacteria.  And for me and my hypersensitive reactions to infections, it just so happened that my body recognized the problem very quickly.

Fastforward 6 months and I have another respiratory infection that delays my going to the dentist.  Not that I was eager to go, but again, I want to keep these teeth.  The hygienist had suggested at my last visit and recommended to my mom (who kept her cleaning appointment) that I should get an electric toothbrush to help keep my teeth clean in case my visit is further delayed.  

I buy the Phillips Sonicare toothbrush and what happens next is amazing.  After the first use, my teeth feel as clean as if I had gone for a cleaning.  Why, at the ripe old age of 34, was I just discovering this miracle toothbrush?! How many cavities could have been prevented? 

I returned to the dentist's office the other day.  The hygienist advised that after what happened last time, I should not ever have anyone use the water tool on me.  She took extra care to make sure that we were cleaning my teeth as safely as possible.  When she'd pause her scraping to rinse and suction, she'd instruct me not to swallow so that she could remove as much of the plaque/bacteria as possible.  She also said that now that I have the electric toothbrush, we will likely see major changes at my next cleaning.  Another useful piece of advice: begin brushing at the site where you have the most problems.  For me, that means front bottom.  I'm feeling a little rundown physically after the dental visit, but I so appreciate the good care I received.  

TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read):

• The water tool at the dentist's office is amazingly effective at cleaning the teeth, but it can also aerosolize the bacteria it is cleaning off your teeth.  If you have a disordered immune system, this can cause problems.
• If you don't already own one, buy an electric toothbrush.  It's AMAZING.
• Begin brushing at the site where you have the most problems.  
• Thank God for good hygienists!