Mental Dental.

There's a very catchy phrase used in a popular commercial that says, 'Life comes at you fast!' That is truer than I could possibly ever explain. The time passage leading to the 18-21 bracket is alot slower as opposed to when you hit 25 and onward. Time just flies. Yesterday I got around to doing something I overlooked. Not proud of this but am willing to share in the hope that this helps someone else overcome an irrational fear.

As a younger man I absolutely DETESTED going to the dentist. Call it what you want, the first time I visited an office in was 1972. I always got tighter than a drum. I often felt like that dog who knew instinctively that it was time to nervously shake when entering a vets office. Equating pain with progress. Nothing but bad memories with Dr Gaines.

Of course I know that the person at fault with the hygiene was me! I do know that the dentist in question never did much to appease the client, much less try to relax the patient. Doc knew I didn't like him, and he probably didn't like me.

What's to like about being in the chair? That dreary music station that sounds like a K-Love all-sap station. The pseudo smell of over clean in the waiting room. Assistants who tried to act nice and really weren't. How about the sound of that damn driller for filings that made a sound that's bad as nails on a blackboard and then to smell that metallic spark smell as the smoke shoots out of your mouth? I'm going back 35 years and I still remember this like yesterday. Oh, and let's not forget that damn inhaler of the saliva, the suck straw that operates almost as well as our governmental branch. Alas, in retrospect this would not have been as bad if I had taken better care of myself.

Prior to yesterday, the last time I had gotten around to addressing my dental needs was in 1982. Again, I'm not proud of that and do not recommend that you go this route. You get a little older and you start to sense your mortality and the like. I had made a vow when 2007 began that I was going to start taking better care of Will. On the health side, I have succeeded. On the dental side, the process has now begun.

Back in July. I received a flyer about a dentist who had a long track record of dentistry here in Arlington. I liked what I read and I had a good vibe on this person. From the moment I arrived I was made to feel welcome and made to relax. Relaxation for me is something I am not good about doing, but the good doctor has succeeded. Ex-Rays and an exam later, I was given a game plan.

I was having an issue with an abscessed tooth for the last nine months. In late August that problem was eliminated, thankfully. It was explained to me that I had a bad case of periodontal disease which can affect the gums and the teeth enamel. Yesterday after 25 years I got the cleaning of ten lifetimes. Yes it hurt, yes it was necessary, and yes I am sorry I took so damn long to get around to it! The doc gave me some new techno gizmo gadgetry for brushing and flossing. Five different bristles and some 21st Century mouth wash that also strengthens the enamel. I go back in five weeks to see how well I am progressing.

I was not aware that periodontal disease is a leading cause to pancreatic cancer. I also wasn't aware that periodontal disease is also a leading cause to high blood pressure and heart attacks. Give me the facts and I'll make necessary changes. Kind of like the TV program of the 70's for juvenile kids called 'Scared Straight'.

For whatever reason, the Big Man upstairs has been very lenient and kind to me. Ten years ago he let me live when I almost crashed a vehicle. For too long I have let things go. For too long I have not cared about alot of things. Life comes at you fast. Next thing you know you're old and asking 'what if?'

Allow me to save you some trauma drama. Heed what your family and friends tell you. If you're in pain, don't suffer in silence! If there's something in your life you aren't happy with, you have the power to change it. If you have overlooked something in your life, a goal, a dream, an agenda, it's never too late! Without your health, you have nothing!!! All the money in the world can't change a thing if you are not healthy!

If you're in Arlington, Texas, and seek a dentist with good intent, great manners, and a wonderful way of dealing with patients, I have found him. His name is Dr Trent Glaser. I have my smile back! Now to get this set of bicuspids bright white and super tight! Thanks Doc!

Over and out in Big D

Mr Will