Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Tooth Hygiene

I'm a brusher, not a flosser. Much to the dismay of my dentist, I've never really enjoyed the flossing experience. But I brush on a regular basis just like everyone else.

But now with the braces, I'm supposed to brush even more. Morning and night isn't good enough. Now I've got instructions to brush four times a day. After each meal and then at bedtime. And I've even got myself some prescription toothpaste to do it with.

Mostly I don't mind. I hate the feeling of things being stuck in the braces. And when I try to lick/suck/tongue/work it out on my own, I look like a dog that just bit a big spoonful of peanut butter. So brushing helps avoid all those facial contortions.

However, I have to say, brushing my teeth at work is weird. I don't know why it strikes me as weird. But it does. I feel odd standing in the big staff bathroom and brushing while various folks wander in and out to take care of their .....ummm....needs. And somehow, in my head, that all seems just a bit awkward....me brushing and drooling and them peeing.

So I've taken to brushing in my office. I try to make sure I do it without any of the drooling. But then, I have to wander down one hall, turn the corner and head down another hall, just to get to the bathroom so I can spit and rinse. The walk is odd..meeting folks while my mouth is full of bubbles and paste and a toothbrush...

"Hi Em, how's it going?"

"Mmm mmm..mmmm."

I thought about going and spitting and rinsing at the water fountain. But would I want to get a drink after someone else just spit there? Nope. So out of consideration....I haven't.

Maybe it isn't too late to ask Santa for a spittoon for my office.

16 comments:

furiousBall said...

people take dumps at work, I think tooth brushing is better than taking a big dump. just me?

Bijoux said...

I'd feel weird brushing my teeth in a public bathroom too.

I'd probably just dip my toothbrush in a cup of water at my desk and forgo the toothpaste at work. But I've never had braces.

Wait till you get the retainer and have to buy Efferdent like an old fogey!

Debbie said...

I could not walk down the hall with toothpaste in my mouth. I am just not that coordinated. It would be foaming out the corners and running down. Trust me, you do not want to see that.

VioletSky said...

I'd either be dribbling, or I'd already have dribbled and have dried up white spittle left around my mouth and cheeks.

I'd also recognize that foaming mouth and laugh...

Holly said...

I have to say that this is a bit of a disgusting post...but funny, it made me go Ewwww then laugh...;)

Good for you that you got braces and I think there is nothing wrong with brushing your teeth in the bathroom.

Anonymous said...

I feel weird brushing in public, period. But i have, many times, at rest stops on long car trips and in airports.

the blogger formerly known as yinyang said...

The fact that I would have had to brush my teeth at school was one of the reasons I didn't keep up with my dental hygiene as well as I could. Not even the horrifying images of teeth with holes in them could make me brush at school habitually.

Anonymous said...

Wow - all these memories of having braces are flooding my mind. But I was 16-18. My hat is off to you!

Lucy Filet said...

I think a spittoon is a good idea:).

Jen said...

Hey there! Found you via your comment on my blog. Unfortunately, I think many of my posts are on the heart wrenching side. Call it free therapy I suppose! We got the Williams syndrome diagnosis 2 years ago and the autism diagnosis a year ago.

This post is hilarious! I once blogged about my water pic. Which I don't use but have been warned to do so by my dentist!

Take care!

Charlotta-love said...

I brush my teeth at work. I've done it for years. Other people have started bringing tooth brushes now. So...start a trend!

Jazz said...

I'm with Fuball on this one.

Just rinse out the sink.

Kati said...

Eh, I brush my teeth at work! I'd rather you brush your teeth than see flecks of green spinach or something stuck there. *wink*

Wishing you and yours a Blessed Yule, Em!

Jocelyn said...

The modern spittoon is called Styrofoam Cup or, in some states, Nalgene Bottle.

(this story is too funny...like it's less stressful to make that walk than to hear people pee? Hmmm. My jury is out)

Greg C said...

My dentist put me on some of the expensive tooth paste too and also made me get an electric tooth brush that is so powerful I could use it to wash the car. It does get my teeth clean though. I hate flossing too. Everytime I do it I rip out fillings. I think that is why they want me to do it.

Mrs. Chili said...

Seriously, Honey? I know it's a drag, but brush ALL THE TIME. Braces WRECKED my teeth, and I'm STILL fixing the damage, lo these 20-some-odd years later...