Posted by fallsfall on September 26, 2003, at 22:53:12
I just have to brag a little about an accomplishment.
First, I hate dentists. When I was little my dentist told me I had great teeth, and I believed him. I did need braces, but only because I had an overbite - not because my teeth were crooked (somehow the overbite seemed like it was less "bad" than crooked teeth). When I was around 20 I went to a new dentist. He found 10 cavities, which he filled. Every 6 months he found another 10 cavities until much of my molars were covered in silver. I think I hate dentists because I think that one of those guys was lying to me. At one point I went 7 years without seeing a dentist.
So, I have bad gums. I really do need to see the dentist, get my teeth cleaned, and floss every day. Some people can get away with doing less, but I really can't.
1 1/2 years ago I crashed and I was so depressed I couldn't floss my teeth. My therapist agreed that my limited energy was better used in eating than in flossing. My dentist really didn't understand. I told him that I wasn't flossing and that I wasn't going to until I was feeling better and that was that. He knew enough, at least, not to badger me. They started asking me to come every 4 months instead of every 6 months, and I did do that.
3 weeks ago I flipped the page on my calendar and saw that I had a dentist appointment today. I really have been feeling better, so I started flossing again. It was painful and there was lots of bleeding at the beginning, but it did get better as the weeks went on.
So I had my teeth cleaned today. I told her that I had been flossing for 3 weeks. She looked pleased, but she was going to reserve judgement. When she was done she said there hadn't been any bleeding. She was very happy. I'll go back in 4 months again, but it may be 6 months after that! She always gives me a toothbrush and a little container of floss, but today she gave me TWO containers of floss because she said I did such a good job.
It doesn't have to be a big step for progress to feel good.
poster:fallsfall
thread:263645
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030913/msgs/263645.html