Numb.

So, anyone who knows me knows that I have horrible teeth. I am cautiously thanking my mother for that, since I recently learned that bad teeth are the most heritable thing you can get - more so than looks, personality, high cholesterol, etc., and I know that my mother has terrible teeth. I have had more fillings than I can count, and several (actually, most) of my teeth have more than one filling. Fun stuff, eh? Even more fun when you can't afford to go to the dentist for several years. This was my situation, and I finally was able to afford to get a cleaning this past May. Prior to that, I had not been to the dentist in....well....more than 5 years.

I was only able to get my teeth cleaned at that time because my lovely university opened a dental clinic on campus, with very affordable rates. During this appointment, I was told that I had 6 fillings that needed to be redone. I thought, 6 fillings! You've got to be kidding me - I already had them done, why should I get them done again? Apparently, the fillings were wearing down. They were old and starting to, I guess, break down. Great. Lucky for me, the affordable rates of the dental clinic were on my side. I had two of these taken care of about a month ago, and I had three more done today. Only one more to go - yay!

Unfortunately, it's only affordable for me if I get the metal amalgam fillings, not the white composite fillings. The metal is sturdier, lasts longer, and is a better deal all around - plus, all 6 of the fillings that needed replacing were the white stuff. But...the metal fillings have mercury in them. I mean, it's only a trace amount, but it's still worrisome. Alas, I am broke and can only afford to fill my mouth with mercury. It's a huge difference in price, actually - over $100 per filling. That would be over $600 extra dollars if I went with the non-mercury ones...way too much money for me right now.

This all leads me back to why I hate the dentist. Really, it's a matter of money. I know it's important to go to the dentist, but, dammit, it should be more affordable for the average bloke like myself.

I also hate the dentist because they stick these huge needles full of strange medicine into your gums, and - presto! - your mouth is numb. Like mine is now. In fact, the entire left side of my face is numb, from my ear to my nose, including most of my tongue. I cannot talk. I'm lisping, slurring words, not pronouncing the letter "r" - it's really quite amusing. Or, at least, it's amusing if you're my boyfriend who just called me on the phone and tried to have a conversation with me. I feel like I'm perpetually drooling, which I'm not; I just feel like I am. Oh, the joys of the dentist...