i actually don't mind the dentist. i guess when i was young it wasn't too fun because i had cavities, but i've been better as an adult.

No, your fears are legitimate. Maintain your.

Whoops. Maintain your distrust.

Not to side with your mom, but apparantly if you have one even tiny cavity, and therefore the presence of tooth decay, it can, over time, spread- sortof like bacteria- to your other teeth. I waited way to long to get a cavity treated in college (try 2 years) and when I did- I was in for a very rude- and expensive- awakening. I have since learned my lesson. Oh- I also learned that diet coke basically disintegrates your teeth.

when I get home, I will introduce you to the coolest dentist (and a non-sadist hygienist) in the west village. And you know that I have had my own nightmare issues with teeth and oral procedures.

I've been waiting to go to the dentist 'till the scariness of how long it's been outweighs the scariness of actually going. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working in inverse proportions. Can you forward the name of that dentist on to me? (Especially if he takes my insurance.)

Corie, I just wrote a comment about my experience with a root canal. It was rejected for "questionable content", and I didn't even use any expletives. I'm not sure why that is. But, to sum: you don't want a root canal.

Hmm. I wonder why it was rejecting. Damn blacklist. Such a mixed blessing. I remember your posting on your root canal. It scared the crap out of me.

I seem not to be able to post either, and I'm not saying anything remotely questionable. I too greatly fear the dentist and am wondering why I don't remember your traumatic dental experience?

beth and karen-- were you using three dots at any point? i just deleted that line from blacklist. we'll see if it works...

kar, i'm not sure why you don't remember my oral issues. it was in about sixth or seventh grade. oh wait, i think we were fighting over carianne kretz during that time. or something.

Thank you for helping to curb my use of the ellipsis. I abuse it terribly.

My. There are defitely better memories to recall than that one. Perhaps me not remembering is more fo a symptom of this occuring... oh, close to 20 years ago. That makes next year our 20th Anniversary, by the way. Wild.

What an awesome kitty mouth shot. My cats, on the other hand, run as soon as they see me grab the camera.

Mine are so traumatized by the flash that they no longer try to hide.

I didn't go to the dentist for years (blame it on lousy dental insurance, or lack thereof). When I finally went, I needed so much work, it cost me an arm and a leg but then again, if you have no fillings, maybe your situation isn't so dire. My childhood fillings were worn away and needed to be replaced!

I went to the same dentist all my life until I moved here, and I had no idea how to go about finding a dentist, so I didn't - for a couple of years. Then, when I finally did go to a dentist, it was awful. He wasn't my friendly, sympathetic childhood dentist - no, he made me cry and didn't even notice or ask why tears were running down my cheeks! Needless to say, it was a year before I went back, and this time I found a dental practice for families, figuring if they can treat kids, they can treat me. So far, so good. BUT, due to the wait, I have to go back every three months because of gum problems!

Just skip the dentist until you're down to one tooth. Name it "Ol' Chomper," and use it to open canned foods (assuming "ol' chomper" is in the front of your mouth).

I share your ardent dislike of the dentist. I loathe going but I go very very regularly as I would absolutely die if something REALLY BAD were to happen (especially due to my neglect). I usually walk out of there with half-moon shapes on my hands (that's from my fingernails digging in). And that's just for a cleaning! Ack!! I'm a freak.