Teef Update

[annemehr]

Saitaina wrote:
> > Thanks to Shaun and Amy for calming
> > some of my fears.  My biggest problem
> > now is my gag reflex.

> Now Michele:
> 
> As for the gagging reflex, I've had that problem, too.  Just try to 
> remember to breathe through your nose while they're working in 
> there.

Annemehr:
Hey, me too!  Some days I can't even brush my back teeth, let alone
floss. Breathing through the nose definitely helps a lot.

Another thing is to remind the dentist to try not to touch things to
the back of your tongue if he can help it.  I just had an extra tooth
pulled that had grown *behind* a wisdom tooth (which I still have, all
four of them).  I was fine, but started to gag when he laid an
instrument across the back of my tongue.  When he took it out and said
"sorry," I told him what the problem was, and it went smoothly from
there on.

What I really hate at the dentist is getting those bite-wing x-rays. 
I have to put the things into my mouth myself and breathe very heavily
through the nose while the hygenist takes the x-ray *quickly.*

I've never had a root canal, though my Mom has had several.  She
doesn't seem to dread them or anything.  Sorry, that's probably not
much help!

Best of luck, Saitaina, and I hope you'll be munching on your favorite
foods soon.

Annemehr