A reader writes:
"Socialized dentistry"! You and my English husband! He couldn't bear the idea of having teeth pulled for that very reason — his childhood memories of English methods. Still smelled the chloriform and felt the "zing!" I must tell you that when he had to have TEN (English?!) teeth pulled a couple of years ago here in Connecticut, he came home absolutely over the moon with how painless it was, and no complications or distress afterwards. Dentistry has come a long way — at least in America ;-)
Have it pulled. If any doubts, have them put you out. You'll have a nice nap and all will be well when you awake. Promise.
Another writes:
I had all four wisdom teeth out, two overgrown and two impacted. I even developed "dry socket" on one side. But it was still GREAT.
I got three days off work and was coddled by my loving and attentive girlfriend the whole time. I feasted on cheesy mashed potatoes and pudding and watched hours of "West Wing" re-runs. I took frequent Vicodin-induced naps, which were the best naps I've ever had. By the time I was healed up, I wondered if I could spare another few teeth just to keep the laziness going.
After the surgery, I no longer suffered the inflamed, infected gums that often plagued me, or the painfully chomped cheeks from my overgrown teeth. It was worth it. Call an oral surgeon, stock up on soft foods, and enjoy a few days in bed with your beagles.
Another:
Get your teeth done! I am saying this hypocritically — I have had something crazy going on with some of my molars for a few months now, and I also excuse it with "English teeth". But I doubt that you have anything like the excuse I have, and I'd never heard of this until I experienced it, and if you're going to publish dentistry horror-stories…
Women should not schedule dentist appointments at the wrong time of the month. I had no idea that menstruation can nullify novacaine. You heard me! Something to do with increased hormones or something. And you know how dentists love to say "no, don't worry, you're definitely numb now, you're just imagining things, you'll be fine"? As a direct result, I enjoyed the novel sensation of a file shoved directly into the un-numbed root of my molar. I promptly levitated about a foot off the dentist's chair and went into complete shock, and the entire experience left me, my dentist, and the dental hygienist in tears.
Warn your female readers! It's a public service! (And get your teeth done, obviously.)
The Dish 