good news, and about time, too.

[chefxh]

Now that I have these lovely state benefits, I went to the dentist this morning. I had called them two weeks ago when my sinus infection was making my tooth hurt, so after the course of amoxicillin, I was ready for the bad news.

I had a terrible dentist as a child, and my mom didn't have a lot of money to spend on our teeth. Then in SF twenty years ago I saw another guy who helped me overcome my terror and got my mouth in better working order. Ten years ago in Tucson I went to another guy who, albeit handsome as hell, gave me an excruciating ordeal. Then I went for a while without dental insurance. Four years ago in Spokane I had an initial exam, where they said they couldn't possibly touch my mouth until I had seen a periodontist -- but neither of the two guys in town took Sodexho's insurance. So I didn't go back until today.

Flossing works. Four years of consistent daily flossing took the gum numbers down considerably, to the point this dentist doesn't see anything they can't handle in-house. Of course, first I need two cleaning sessions, and then we get down to the crowns, where it gets expensive even with insurance.

But this was the best dental news I've had in years. And they sold me a Water-Pik for less than anyone else in town.