Wednesday, October 05, 2011

a date with the dentist

After proudly declaring no cavities since having all of my adult teeth, I had to have two filled yesterday! NO FUN!

I was truly baffled when my dentist pointed them out at my recent check up - I eat limited sugar and I take good care of my teeth! My wise dentist is also a runner and suggested all the Gatorade and gels consumed on long training runs, coating my mouth in PURE SUGAR! Hmmm.....

Obviously I'm not 100% sure if that's the cause, but I know I will be mindful to give my mouth a good rinse with water each time I suck back my sugar-laden fuel of choice.

After an hour in the torture chamber dentist's chair, I had a completely numb face and mouth (one cavity was upper right and the other was lower left) for nearly 3 hours! Mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and applesauce for dinner.

Look Mom, no more cavities!

my numb face smile snarl


23 comments:

kristen said...

I think I remember reading that you should always rinse your mouth out with water after gatorade and gels...it was on the blog of a runner who is the son of a dentist :)

I had to have a bunch of fillings replaced this summer and it was terrible. Since they were in all quadrants of my mouth I had to have them done in two visits :(

Love the snarl!

Laura said...

My fear of dentists (and clowns) is legendary. They basically have to freeze my teeth before they can even clean them. If I ever hear "root canal" when I am there...they may have to completely sedate me.

geo said...

I was thinking about the Gatorade/gel combo. I try to finish up with water as much as possible (also helps to digest gels if you're doing the gel thing).

On longer rides I also like to bring some strong minty gum. It gets rid of that gross Gatorade/gel feeling, and give a fresh boost of wake-the-hell-up!

Robin said...

Eek sorry about the cavities! I'm not a fan of the dentist at all....hand gripping, horrible experience for me! 3 hours...you're a rockstar!

misszippy said...

Oh I feel your pain! I hate, hate, hate the dentist! And do you know what I have to have happen tomorrow? A crown! I am paying extra for laughing gas b/c I really can't do this in a fully conscious state. I'll be posting on this later...

J said...

Oh no!! I have had cavities before and they are no fun! I hate the dentist - just not fun at all.

Unknown said...

ugggh. i despise the dentist

Jen Feeny said...

LOL! Love the snarl. I soooo need to get to the dentist, thanks for the reminder!

Anonymous said...

Ugh, no fun!! I haven't been to the dentist in too long, either. Dangit.

Amy said...

Thanks for the reminder that I need to make an appointment. I haven't been to a dentist since I moved to BC! The last time I went was in Thailand - it sounds like it might be dodgy, but was actually the best dentist experience ever. They knocked me right out to put in my fillings, and let me nap in the chair until I was ready to go.

Runners Fuel said...

3 huors is way too long! I hate going to the dentist.

Jess said...

I have read that Gatorade is worse for teeth than soda. You could try diluting it.

There could be many other factors at work though, not just the 'ade and gels. Just be thankful you have such good teeth that you went this long before getting your first cavities!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Do not like the dentist. yuck.yuck.yuck

I try to remember to take lots of water with my gus...try to.

Lindsay said...

I can fall asleep in the dentist chair... I've always been told I have "high acidity" and other "excuses" for my bad teeth. :-/ so you're lucky. You're supposed to eat soft foods after dental work til the numbness wears off?! Whoops...

Anonymous said...

Hmm...I never thought about all the sugar in gatorade and gels. Though I try to only drink the 'rade on long runs and when I'm hungover. Oops! :) Which they kind of even eachother out. LOL...if i'm doing more long runs, then less drinking alcohol or vice versa.

ajh said...

Glad you got it taken care of.

Jason said...

what is going on with my favorite people? Just read MissZ and caps and now you and cavities.

I need to figure out a name for that face.

Marky Mark said...

One of my running buddies is a dentist and he has said that the gels and sports drinks are notorious for contributing to tooth decay.

Btw the CRS Zoo photos are up and there is a nice one of you and your friend.

Char said...

The photo would have been even more classic with the obligatory drool hanging out of the mouth. I have the most lovely dentist who's fit and active and I love seeing her. So why is it that I hate making appointments?

Teamarcia said...

You are not the first runner to implicate all the gels and drinks. Glad you have the fillings behind you.

Joanna said...

People think I'm completely crazy for this, but I swear to you it's better to have cavities filled without the numbing, unless the cavity is extra deep. I've had about 6 cavities filled and was numbed only for the first one and I've never regretted it!

Runner Leana said...

Oh no! Sorry to hear about the cavities. I've had a couple of cavities but I've been pretty lucky. Knock on wood that continues because my parents and bro have not been so lucky. Crowns, root canals, ick!!

Richelle said...

Nice snarl, ha ha!

I've fortunately been cavity-free for years (I do remember getting cavities filled though... NEVER any fun!), but thanks for the reminder to swish my mouth with water after consuming gels and energy drinks.