Dentist after 20 years

36 years old, single woman,
I don't have a single cavity (ahem)!

Perhaps because my teeth are strong due to my family history
(my grandfather had all his own teeth and no cavities until he passed away at 100), I didn't put in much effort
or rather, I didn't do anything at all,

about five years ago, as embarrassing as it is to admit,
because I went to the dentist for the first time in about 20 years,
my awareness of dental health increased a little.

At the time, it was the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home period.
I learned on the internet that some people were starting
teeth straightening because of the mask-wearing lifestyle.

…Come to think of it, I haven't been to the dentist since elementary school…
So I decided to go.

I was surprised that you make appointments online…
Starting with that surprise, and while exercising my overly cautious personality by wondering how much the initial examination fee would be,
the day of the appointment finally arrived.

“Actually, I haven't been to the dentist since I was in elementary school…”

To me, who said that, the dental hygienist
looked slightly taken aback
while performing the X-rays and dental examination.

I didn't have any cavities, but the diagnosis was
that I was on the verge of mild periodontal disease.

It's a gross story, but
to remove the tartar that had built up over about 20 years,
I had to receive treatment in several sessions
to keep the treatment costs within insurance coverage.

The feeling of my teeth being so smooth on the day the tartar was first removed
was truly moving lol

Since it seems easy to get periodontal disease after your 30s,
I decided to go for regular checkups and cleanings.

And even now that I have left Tokyo and returned to my hometown,
I still go to the dentist regularly.

Every time I have a checkup, they check
the depth of my periodontal pockets and the degree of bleeding
as part of a periodontal disease check,

and I find myself feeling happy or sad for the rest of the day
based on the dental hygienist's comments at that time.

On days when they say, “There's very little tartar this time,
and very little bleeding too!”
I'm in high spirits, and
I don't want to put anything in my mouth after the dentist lol

On days when they say, “There's a lot of bleeding this time!
And there are more deep periodontal pockets,”
I brush my teeth as soon as I get home lol

Now I deal with it every day using floss and a toothbrush.
I get a sense of accomplishment,
and a feeling that I am taking care of myself,
so my self-esteem has also gone up a little.

I haven't had orthodontics, and my teeth alignment
isn't that great either, but
I want to take care of these strong teeth,
and although I don't know if I'll live to be 100 like my grandfather,
I want to live with my own teeth until I die.

And, thank you to the dental hygienists.
It seems there is a shortage of dental hygienists now,
and it has become difficult to get appointments.
In such a situation, I am grateful, so grateful,
to the dental hygienists who take care of me.