An Al Dente Friday Five?

Reverendmother posts at Revgalblogpals:

Cheesehead and I are both laid up this week with various tooth maladies. This one's in honor of us:

1. Are you a regular patron of dentists' offices? Or, do you go
a) faithfully, as long as you have insurance, or
b) every few years or so, whether you need it or not, or
c) dentist? what is this "dentist" thing you speak of?

I go faithfully, when I have dental insurance. Right now, I don't have insurance --and my teeth really need a good cleaning. Pearly yellows just aren't the same as pearly whites.

2. Whatever became of your wisdom teeth?

Since they were double impacted, they were surgically removed when I was 16 in order to protect 5 years worth of orthodontistry. I think they were actually given to me and I kept them for awhile. Wonder if they're in that box with all of my high school stuff ...?

3. Favorite thing to eat that's BAAAAAD for your teeth.

Chocolate, perhaps? I dunno ...

4. Ever had oral surgery? Commiserate with me.

See #2. By the way, my incisions became infected, I ran a fever and had this indescribably nasty taste in my mouth. Antibiotics and warm salt water helped.

5. "I'd rather have a root canal than _________________."

I've never had a root canal ... but I think I would prefer experiencing a root canal to passing a kidney stone.

Bonus: Does your dentist recommend Trident?

Wouldn't matter if s/he did ... I had braces for five years and wore a retainer for two years, so I lost the habit of chewing gum. I'll take a stick of gum if breath mints aren't available, but as soon as the flavor is gone, so's the gum.