I know I promised to age gracefully. I'm trying, really and truly. But may I please, just one time, digress? (Since it's my blog, I'll take that as a yes!)
Did anyone ever tell you that, as you age (gracefully), your teeth will fall apart? No? Me either. Now, those of you reading this wide-eyed, thinking, "What the heck is she talking about? My teeth are perfect and straight and pearly white and I've never had a cavity or a filling or a crown in my life!"-- you people can just scroll down for the recipe. For the rest of us, those who have 2 or 6 fillings, a crown or two, a chipped tooth here and there... get yourself a cup of tea and buckle your seat belts.
First of all, I just found out that fillings have shelf lives... who knew? They last 15 years, give or take, then they start cracking or "leaking" and the dentist has to dig them out and replace them. Of course, if the "hole" is too big, he will have to replace it with a crown! And, if you don't take care of it NOW, you will probably end up needing a root canal, which is dental-speak for unbelievable pain and suffering. I never knew this. Now, every time I go to the dentist, I hear, "Number 3, crack; number 4, leaking..." ad nauseum. Then I make the appointments and go back for an hour of shameless shaking while the fillings get re-done, with crossed fingers, hoping NOT to hear the words "root canal."
Sorry, but this is only part one of the bad news. You've heard the phrase "long in the tooth"? Me too. I just didn't think I was actually long in the tooth yet, but... I guess I am. You see, as we age, (gracefully), our gums start to recede. Yes, even perfectly pink and healthy gums. The 'when' actually depends a lot on genetics. (Again, the image of my grandma with the gray, curly hair and the long teeth.) As the gums recede, they start to expose the roots and nerves of the teeth, causing extreme sensitivity. So, the dentist "roughs them up" along the gum line, (yes, it involves the drill!), and then fills it in. Yes, your circular reasoning is correct. In about 15 years, give or take, I will have to have all of these replaced, too. SIGH. Yet another thing I took totally for granted in my youth. I am starting to see the logic of dentures!
Perhaps we should move on to happier subjects, like food!! I found this recipe online somewhere, many years ago, and it is a favorite. I'm still in my salad mood, even though the weather has reverted back to frigid. Hope springs eternal, I guess!
Tofu Rice Salad
salad:
1 C diced tofu
3-4 C cooked brown rice or quinoa
1/2 C pine nuts
3/4 C golden raisins, plumped and drained (Or use regular raisins, Or currants)
1/2 C chopped green onion
dressing:
1/3 C olive oil
1/4 C rice vinegar
2 Tbs tamari
1/4 tsp. pepper, or to taste
optional:
paprika dusting or parsley for garnish
Whisk the dressing ingredients together, then gently toss with the salad. It's great!
On the knitting front... let's not talk about my knitting. No point in repeating the same things over and over again! Let's just say, I'll let you know when I finish something:-) However, exciting stuff: I am attending a workshop next weekend with Sally Melville!! (for you non-knitters, just think of knitting royalty!) The first part is called "Emergency Measures," which I assume is about fixing things you've messed up, and the second part is called "Learning to Love Intarsia," which I hope to learn to love. My homework swatches are all done; I'm such a good student, proud product of Guilderland Central High School. I just hope my knitting knowledge is sufficient to keep up with the rest of the class!
New yoga class starts this week... don't forget! Hope to see you there!
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About Me
- Cheryl, Judy and Jill
- Kansas City
- Our journey, training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on July 7-8, 2012 in San Francisco
1 comment:
HI,
I hope you have calmed down about your teeth. First of all, yes, everything you have said could happen. But, not necessarily. I have some fillings that I swear are 40 years old and still in acceptable shape. I have had some replaced and only one root canel and so far so good. I see the dentist every 6 months. As far as your dentist telling you all this stuff, keep in mind, that since the use of flouride on children's teeth, and better dental hygiene, dentists have less routine procedures(fillings) to perform on pts. which equals less money in their pockets. That's why there are all these new cosmetic procedures that dentists may propose to a pt.
Your gums may recede but they may only recede to a certain point and not progress to the point were you need treatment. Your fillings may last your lifetime? Who knows? Not to worry. Just keep on brushing and flossing and you should be fine. And believe me, you don't want dentures if you can help it. Your dentist was just prepping you for the possibiltiy of what you might need, and also preparing you mentally to pay him lots of money to save your teeth if need be. If the above is not true for you, then keep in mind the older you get things like pain bother you less, or so they say. Its supposed to be a hormonal thing, or so I am told. You will mellow out and things won't bother you so much. Or, you could just stop going to the dentist and see what happens?? that's what alot of people out here do...LOL
Yum, the Tofu rice recipe sounds great. Can't wait to try it. I wonder if it will cause my teeth to recede though??? LOL
On the knitting front. I can't knit in a group, unless it is a garter stitch pattern. No lace knitting in a group for me. I went to group with 10 rows completed and came home with none...and this is after ripping out 4 times. Cant talk and knit. I have proved that over and over again, yet I still try.....
Hope your yoga students appreciate you as much as I do. Do you use a heater? It would make me feel better if you said you did, then I wouldn't miss you so much!!!!
Namaste,
Barbara
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