It seems to have happened very suddenly. Yes, we’ve gone over this once before, when the Mrs. Frinklin had her Humpy incident. And just so you know, she’s feeling much better now; exercises and a few lifestyle changes are killing the prospect of hump.
No, this is about me. See, I went to the Dentist today. I don’t usually go to the dentist. I really dislike the dentist in fact. I haven’t really been to one since becoming an official grown-up. The Mrs. didn’t particularly like being married to a non-dentist goer. She didn’t look forward to introducing people to her toothless husband. So I went. And it turns out I’m falling apart.
Now, I’ll be honest, for my time between dentist visits, I did quite well. Both the hygienist (blonde, cute, overly perky, named Shawna, she’s like the dental hygienist template) and the doctor bent over backwards to let me know how good my teeth were compared to others who don’t frequent the dentist. I have excellent saliva it seems. What got me were my gums. My complete lack of gums actually. I’ve been brushing at least twice a day since oh.. 2 years old I guess. And when I brush, it’s a manly brushing, fast and powerful, just like my parents told me too.
Well this is another thing to blame the parents on. It turns out you’re supposed to brush very gently, in wimpy little circles. When you manly brush like me it kills off your gums. You get “retraction” . This means the gums crawl further and further up your teeth. If it goes too far.. I dunno, maybe the teeth fall out, or maybe it just hurts. Honestly, I was too freaked about my missing gums to ask. This is why I’m old so sudden. Old people lose teeth right? C’mon, we all remember the first time grandpa took his dentures out and scarred us for life, don’t we? Old.
Anyway, I now have to teach myself to wimpy brush. And eventually I’ll get a transplant. Yep, they can transplant gum tissue from the roof of your mouth to your teeth.
Sounds pleasant, doesn’t it?
Posted by Frinklin at May 11, 2004 04:33 PMYup. I got the same problems. Went to the dentist about 6 months ago for the first time in a long while. Anyway, I have "retreating gums" too. And, I have (apparently) made an indent in one tooth, so manly was my brushing.
I'm thinking of asking my wife to brush my teeth for me, just so I don't overpower my gums any more. Would that work for you?
Posted by: John at May 13, 2004 08:16 AMYou actually indented a tooth? You are the manliest brusher I know John.
Posted by: frinklin at May 13, 2004 06:08 PMWell, I work out regularly - using a toothbrush to clean floors, walls, whatever just to make sure I always have a lot of pressure on that brush.
Or maybe I'm just a lot older than you and your indent just hasn't appeared yet. I'm 40.
Posted by: John at May 17, 2004 04:47 AM