These Teeth Were Made for Walking

Happily after my dedicated six month routine of flossing daily and more focused tooth brushing I have returned from the dentist cavity free. I'm sure cutting down on sugary drinks and general bad for you and your teeth stuff didn't hurt either.

However, my enthusiasm for no fillings is tempered by the fact that I'm breaking up with my dentist. No longer will the proximity to my office hold me hostage. For three years I've felt odd every time I sat in the chair. Perhaps I was spoiled by the brilliant dentists at the UMKC dental school we went to for three years. Perhaps it's the dentist we went to in Alexandria for more nearly eight years before we moved.

Hustling your patients to add on additional procedures, changing your answers when questioned and having no regard for their insurance coverage is not a way to keep patients/clients. This is a customer service business as much as retail or any other service-tied industry. If I don't trust you or don't like how I feel after interacting with you-- I'm not going to come back.

Mindful living means eliminating unnecessary negative experiences. So adieu dentist. I'll be taking my teeth and dental coverage elsewhere.

Cold Flossing

It took decades for my dentists' advice to finally take, but I've started flossing. Daily. Over the last six months I've tried diligently to floss at least once a day, but not freak out if I miss. As a result at my last check up the dentist proclaimed that my teeth and gums were in far better shape, but that my lower flossing technique was lacking (well done on the uppers she said). So of course, my poor lower teeth have been getting a daily flossing detail like they were some high end luxury car. I'm just hoping this 30-something intervention will help me keep my pearly white shark teeth later in life and I won't been applying denture cream to my tortured gums in my 70s.

However, my dental hygiene superiority is a bit tempered as a I stand in my very comfortable 70-72 degree apartment. I like cold people. I hate being hot. Except at yoga and right after the gym, but then I rush to take a cold shower so it's really a fleeting fancy. I am completely incapable of turning up the thermostat. Despite the record breaking heat we're having out here and the calls for conserving energy, I just keep on keeping on in my little igloo.

The power company rep is calling for people to set their thermostats at 78. *@$#% 78! I can't possible be cool with our window units chugging away at 78 degrees. I relish the feeling of my skin being cold and sleeping under a light sheet or blanket. 78 would mean pretending I'm back in Sienna only to look out my window and see a parking lot instead. Not happening people. I am totally failing mother nature on this one. Energy conservation fail for sure.