I spent some of my valuable weekend afternoon hours recently to go to the dentist. I was due for a cleaning, so this was a regularly scheduled appointment. Due to bad genetics and bad luck, I have to work hard to keep my teeth clean all the time. At a minimum, I have to brush two times a day with an electric toothbrush and I always floss at least once a day. Even if I religiously keep to that schedule, it’s never a guarantee that the dentist won’t find something wrong with my teeth every six months.
So, while last weekend’s cleaning went very well and quickly (they barely had to scrape off any plaque at all), I was waiting for the dentist to tell me what new cavities or oral malady he found this time around. To my surprise, he found none. I get another reprieve for about six months. Again, that’s not a sign that I can neglect my dental care going forward. I need to continue to brush and floss every single day. Do you know there are people who don’t brush twice day and never floss, rarely go to the dentist, yet still don’t get cavities? I’m not one of those lucky sons of bitches. Genetic lottery winners.