It took the dental profession 29 years to figure out that if someone who (1) brushes two times a day, (2) flosses regularly, (3) doesn't drink soda or juice, (4) doesn't suck on hard candy, and (5) doesn't chew gum still has as many freaking cavities as I do that maybe, JUST MAYBE, it isn't something that I am doing wrong, and that it's just goddamn genetics and I need intense fluoride treatments... stat.

Seriously, I feel failed by the system. Lack of dental insurance leading me to have two years between appointments is only partly to blame, because I've had cavities my whole damn life. Not to mention, this dentist is pretty sure that my last dentist from two years ago missed stuff, because some of these issues are too advanced.

I am thankful I finally found a good dentist who actually took the time to try to figure out what my problems were, instead of just blowing me off. ("Sure, you don't chew gum, uh-huh, right. Floss, too? Yeah, I bet you do." HATE!) Maybe it was my frustrated, desperate tone, but I think it's more the fact that he actually spent several minutes closely examining both x-rays AND my actual mouth, AND then talking and listening to me.

I am not, however, thankful for these freaking soft as hell teeth, the impending root canals, filling replacements, and crowns, and the lack of dental insurance. I hate writing checks with commas. And there will be many of them over the next few weeks.

I am also not thankful for the incredibly achy mouth I have right now and the fact that I can't open it wide enough to take advil.

Sob.