Well, allow me to turn those ripples of glee to shudders of horror.
Those are not beads.
They're teeth. Human teeth.
It's a Chinese sign that apparently advertises a Doctor for treating miscellaneous diseases.
What is it about dentists that makes so many of us avoid them? Not socially, just professionally. I know two mouth experts who are delightful young women. I'm fond of them both. Mind you, when I'm in their company, my tongue does spend much of the time guiltily poking about my pegs. And although I don't exactly fear a visit to the tooth doctor, I do recall the day that resulted in my reticence. I'm guessing I was about ten the day Dr Skinner yanked out that molar.
I have large teeth.
With long roots.
His face still looms clearly in my memory. Leaning close through the smell of disinfectant and his smoker's breath, he was grimacing.
His eyes squinched to almost closed with the effort.
'It's a tough one,' he muttered in the direction of Mum, sitting supportively in the corner. ' Going to need a bit extra oomph.'
He braced his foot against the pedestal of the hydraulic chair for extra leverage.
And yanked.
My right ear filled with an echoing grind and crack as my mouth filled with warm sweet blood.
Here for your viewing discomfort is a selection of images that help keep that memory alive for me.
And I'm sadistically hoping they just might trigger something for you, too.
Yank...
Hello?
Are you there?
Yank...
How about now?
Still with me?
Yank...
Has your stomach done a Fosbury flop?
Can you feel that squishy wound where your tooth used to be?
Does the ghost of an ache haunt your jaw?
Yank...
Do tell....
During the month of April, I am participating in the Blogging from A–Z Challenge.
My posts all feature images of and by the Wellcome Collection, Euston, London: the free destination for the incurably curious.
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ReplyDeleteFun word and I'm so proud of my guts--nothing spilled out despite your best efforts Wendy:)
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already, do watch Michael McIntyre's dentist--it's very close to what you experienced when you were 10: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4_YL9QotBM
Y is for Yellow
Well done you. No, I haven't seen that video and will def check it out. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for taking the time to comment.
Luckily when I had four teeth pulled when I was 15 I was put under first. After seeing this pictures and hearing hour story I am glad I was.
ReplyDeleteI had to be knocked out the next time!
DeleteSorry about the horror pics. Couldn't resist.
Ugh. Those are teeth? *shivers*
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid I wanted my mom to go back into the room with me at the dentist, and she said she would. The dentist wouldn't let her, so we ended up leaving the building and finding a new dentist. I've always been thankful she didn't force me to go back there alone, because ever since then I've been completely fine with dentists - none of that fear of dentists at all. (Except I still don't like the idea of getting teeth pulled.)
Visiting from the A to Z Challenge. See my “Y” post here: https://lydiahowe.com/2017/04/29/y-is-for-year-of-proof-atozchallenge/
I had the same experience with my kids. The dentist claimed that the parents cause panic. I still visit the dentist regularly. But I do get a tad anxious about it.
DeleteThat is grotesque!
ReplyDeleteI hate the dentists too and have had to have several teeth yanked out. I remember one of them took ages! There was pulling and twisting and grunting and more twisting. I could feel the weird sensation of tugging and could hear the grinding noise but the tooth wouldn't budge! A new implements, another 5 minutes and a massive CRACK later and it was out! Well most of it was. The rest of it the dentist decided, could stay there!
eeeeeow.... I don't think you ever forget pain, do you? Or shock. But you're dead right... it's that noise in your head that gives you the shudders.
DeleteYes, been there a number of times with allegedly necessary extractions, requiring apparently necessary extreme force. Not a fan of other people's hands in my mouth...for any reason...ever.
ReplyDeleteAnd quite sensibly so...
DeleteI used to be a dental hygienist for years and despite my familiarity with all that is oral (and my morbid fascination with all things dental) I still HATE going to the dentist - I think it's the loss of control and the fear of what they're going to discover that gets me every time - gulp!
ReplyDeleteLeanne | cresting the hill
loss of control... exactly...
Deleteplus, the smell... and the sound...
I swear I thought that was a beaded curtain, Wendy. I'd shudder if I ever had something like that in my house. Ugh! And also, I read this post yesterday--quite appropriately--because I accompanied my husband for a yank. Hehe. He had a molar removed. And I couldn't stop laughing at your topic! Those pictures are very helpful thank you! Also reminded me of Mr.Bean's visit to the dentist.
ReplyDeleteYour poor hubby. I do hope his experience wasn't also reminiscent of Mr Bean.
Delete