I was at my dentist's yesterday having a tooth pulled. As he worked on me, his secretary came in and said another patient who needed to have two teeth pulled had decided he wanted to wait until after the first of the year to do it. So, could he have his pain-killer subscription renewed?

I groaned.

Doc asked me if I needed another shot. I said no. I was groaning because the other guy had decided to wait to have his teeth pulled when it just might be 1900 all over again.

My tooth was real stubborn. Doc had to give me three shots before he finally got the critter out. When it was over, I staggered out of the chair and asked him, "How in hell did they do that 100 years ago?"

"Well," he said, sometimes they used whiskey, sometimes they just passed out, or sometimes they would just wait until the tooth got so rotten they could pull it out themselves."

Wow, some great choices, I thought. Then I wondered just how many people across the country are putting off things like this, maybe so their holiday season will be nice and pleasant.

Hope you're not one of those....

onelesstooth....

-- onelesstooth (onelesstooth@wiser.com), November 25, 1999

Answers

In your y2k kit you need a pair of pliars that have a right angle to them for pulling teeth. You are not as apt to break a tooth off with these. They can be bought at WalMart in the tool area for under $5.

Taz

-- Taz (Tassie123@aol.com), November 25, 1999.

Also, walgreens has an over-the-counter temp filling which is great for any first-aid kit. as long as you have enough whiskey to first tolerate a thorough cleaning...*hiccup.

-- Hokie (nn@va.com), November 26, 1999.

Oneless,

I did the same thing a few weeks ago - had a wisdom tooth cut out. It took 3 shots of novacaine (sp?) and some stiches, but it's done. Fortunately, I was able to get some pain medication and the antibiotics to help with the healing process.

I agree, I want to have NOTHING to do with the dentist right after CDC.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 27, 1999.