I don’t know, can you see the italics in the blog title? I think you can. If so… Well, yes, that is a play on words, because I’m mostly going to be talking about the dentist today.

Tuesday, the whole second day of this year, I had a dentist appointment. This was an appointment that was scheduled 6 months ago and had totally forgotten about until last week when they called to remind me. Nevermind that it’s been in my calendar regardless. I wouldn’t actually forget. 🙂

Then they texted me over the weekend from their automated system. It said hey this is blah blah blah reminding you… but it said this was from _____ and _____ dental office. Like wait, two dentists now???

Needless anxiety.

Let me add in here that I love going to the dentist. I don’t really have anxiety toward the dentist visit… it’s just all these changes and things in my head I’ve built up. I always have a fine experience and having my teeth inspected and cleaned doesn’t bother me in the least. I would gladly go to the dentist every day (or close to it) if it meant I never had to go to a regular doctor. It probably helps the only thing I’ve had done is my wisdom teeth taken out plus a few baby teeth. No braces for this child!

Anyway.

The past few lifetimes (it’s been forever so) I’ve been told to floss or floss more. Flossing has always been tough for me to form a habit of. Last time I was at the dentist though, it just seemed like a huge deal and it really shook me up.

Also, 6 months ago at my last appointment, I met the new dentist because my old one retired. Super nice!

This time around, there was another dentist because the new dentist that was taking over last year also has a primary dental practice and this is like his side thing… I guess?

So, Tuesday I met another dentist.

Coupling the flossing and worries over my dental hygiene with meeting another dentist was just a lot. I told my grandma before I left for my appointment, I don’t know why I’m like this. There is literally nothing more I can do now. I’ve been so much better about flossing particularly. I think about my last dental appointment way too much to be normal.

So???? How did it go????

It was great. I was shook up for absolutely nothing.

I got there early. I talked to my hygienist (I love her!) and then even though we spent a lot of time getting my 5 year X-rays done, the cleaning went by fast. When she was almost done I asked if it was better than last time and she said “Oh yeah! It’s so much better. You’ve really improved. I’m proud of you.”

This made me so happy to hear!! It’s ridiculous how happy dental hygiene compliments make me.

After she was done, the dentist came over. He introduced himself, asked a few generic questions and then looked at my mouth. Apparently I have a tooth that is completely turned around at a 180°. The other dentist noticed 6 months ago, but it was just even more geeky this time around. 😂 I was trying not to laugh.

As usual, the dentist said the teeth look great and blah blah blah.

Everything was fine. The dentist was super cool and chill.

It happens a lot. I get really hung up on something and especially these things where I can’t change anything unless like I just don’t go, but my teeth up to this point would stay the same, so that’s really a whole other line of thinking. But anyway, God just shows up and everything works out. Long before I was anxious, He placed that dentist there with my sweet hygienist. He got me there safely. He provided me with a job with insurance so I could have these regular check ups. All the things.

It’s not a whole lot, but in my world, where I feel like I don’t do a lot and every day tasks are huge, I felt peace from God.

Starting off this year with clean teeth, peace from God and a better mindset than 2023.

Tomorrow I’ll have more to add about things happening in my world this year!