No Halloween Treats Here...

There are no ghosts or goblins where I live and there haven't been for the decade or so that I've resided here. I've saved a small fortune on candy and all things caramelized. I take a small amount of pride in sparing teeth and fillings the opportunity to become emergencies, both dentally and financially. I get my teeth cleaned every three months, thus avoiding excessive plaque, tartar and cavities and I brush with a recommended electric model toothbrush twice daily. My dentist loves me...

In spite of these wonderful things, a look in my mouth reveals a childhood spent catering to a sweet tooth and often ignoring maternal admonitions to brush and floss until it was too late and She Who Was Not Obeyed dragged me to the dentist, swearing under her breath about the bill that inevitably followed. All of my molars contain fillings that are at least 45 years old, making me a slip of a thing when they were put in, a testament to my love of halloween candy, biscuits, cakes, tarts, pies and any other delectably sugary treats. This is not to say, however, that I acquired any regard for dentists. Quite the opposite, a situation sadly sealed when one of them drilled for a filling without any anesthetic, leaving me as a howling ten-year-old convinced that all dentists were sadists.

It wasn't until my mid thirties, after my front teeth were damaged in an accident and needed bonding that I began to consider the health and cosmetics of my mouth. Like many, I put off dentist visits and having no insurance to cover those bills made it easy to rationalize my behavior. It wasn't until a second accident occurred that a friend suggested I see his dentist for some damage control. That singular event changed my perspective forever.

This dentist has been a godsend. He listened rather than lectured and carefully explained his plan of care. Additionally, he never acted as though his patients deserved punishment for their dental faux pas. He and his staff spent time educating me about my mouth, teeth, and gums and re-iterated the value of preventing problems as well as suggesting things that I could use or do on my own to resolve dental issues particular to me. I went in today for a cleaning and came away with two crowns. Expensive, but a needed investment after all the childhood halloween candy and now worn fillings which resulted.

Unlike the dentists of my childhood, my dentist of almost fifteen years inspires trust and the confidence to maintain my oral health.

Now, as I sit here remembering the candy sprees of Halloween's past as well as the fillings that followed them, I thank my lucky stars and a certain friend...

Until Next Time...

A Long Way To Go Yet...

According to my wonderful stylist, I need at least fourteen inches of flowing tresses for a donation to Locks of Love. That means hair past my elbows. As you can see from today's appointment, I've a long way to grow yet. I'm not sure I'll have the patience, but I'm giving it my best. The current length is the longest my hair has been since my undergraduate days.   Locks of Love takes clean hair donations of ten inches or more and fabricates hair pieces for children and adults who've lost hair due to a variety of medical conditions. These do not fall off during sports or swimming and can be worn all the time. My
 mother lost her hair during chemotherapy, a traumatic experience. Though it was growing in again when she passed away, she shared her disdain for losing it and the fact that it did not feel or look the same when it grew back. I hope this donation will eliminate the trauma of hair loss for someone...

Until Next Time...