La versión español está después de la versión inglés.
The first time San Geraldo and I went to the dentist in Sevilla to have our teeth cleaned seven years ago, we sat in adjoining rooms with our own hygienists. The procedure was a bit different from what we were used to in California. There, most of the cleaning was done manually. Here, the process was already very hi-tech. Lasers, high-pressure water, and machines.
What San Geraldo hates most about the dentist are the sounds of the machines, and the sharp spray of cold water on his teeth and gums.
I heard the machine in the adjoining room start and then immediately stop. San Geraldo’s hygienist came in a minute later looking perplexed and said, “He just got up and left.”
He did eventually — weeks later — return to have his teeth cleaned. But instead of one hi-tech half-hour session, he had four separate sessions so they could chisel away at his teeth manually for an hour each time.
TODAY I ACCOMPANIED San Geraldo to the dentist for his cleaning. Remember his last visit to have a filling replaced? (Click here.) I had planned to sit outside the door and push him back in if he tried to escape. But, it wasn’t necessary. He was so well behaved that I was able to enjoy coffee, pie, and a walk around the grounds of the medical center.
La primera vez que San Geraldo y yo fuimos al dentista en Sevilla, nos sentamos en cuartos contiguos con nuestros propios higienistas. El procedimiento fue un poco diferente de lo que estábamos acostumbrados en California. Allí, la mayor parte de la limpieza se realizó de forma manual. Aquí, el proceso ya era de muy alta tecnología. Láseres, agua a alta presión, y máquinas.
Lo que más odia San Geraldo del dentista son los sonidos de las máquinas y el chorro de agua fría en sus dientes y encías.
Escuché que la máquina en el cuarto contiguo arranca y luego se detiene. El higienista de San Geraldo llegó un minuto después, perplejo y dijo: “¡Se levantó y se fue”!
Lo hizo eventualmente — unas semanas después — volviendo a limpiar sus dientes. Pero en lugar de una sesión de media hora de alta tecnología, tuvo cuatro sesiones manualmentes por una hora cada vez.
HOY ACOMPAÑÉ A San Geraldo al dentista por su limpieza. ¿Recuerda su última visita para reemplazar un relleno? (Haz clic aquí.) Había planeado sentarme afuera de la puerta y empujarlo de nuevo si intentaba escapar. Pero, no fue necesario. Lo hizo a la manera de alta tecnología y todos a la vez. Se portó tan bien que pude disfrutar de un café, una tarta y un paseo por los jardines del centro médico.
They grow up so fast, don’t they?
Crecen tan rápido, ¿no?
I hate the dentist too but would rather have it over quickly than go 4 separate times! Good on you for going with him though, moral support is nice from those you love. Merry Christmas to you two!
Cheapchick,
I agree. If you hate it, just get it over with. Jerry realized this time it was much easier to just do that.
I would much sooner have the quick machines, than the scraping. The hygienist at my dentist finally retired and the new one believes in modern technology. My Dentist is very talented, he has replaced several old fillings without numbing, he said trust me and I did, it was so worth it.
David:
I’m with you on the quick machines. Jerry now agrees.
I’d prefer the hi-tech way! But i love that he just got up and left!
Bob:
He spoke no Spanish. She spoke no English. So… he just put his hand up. Took off the bib. And walked out the door.
I hate the dentist, but I’ve never ran away from one either.
Adam:
Jerry’s come a long way since then. And he really likes the new dentist he found recently, so that helps. She and her staff find him very entertaining.
On one of my very first visits I too just got up and RAN away, out the door down the street!! But….I was only 5! My poor sister caught up with me and took me back.
I so relate to SG’s fears with anything ‘dentist’ !!
Jim:
I’ve never had a problem. My sister was worse than Jerry. When I was 10 and she was not yet 13, my mother took us to the new dentist (after our move to Brooklyn). My sister went first. We had screams of terror and pain. The nurse came and asked my mother to come in. She said, all that happened was that the dentist had walked into the room.
Poor, poor San Geraldo! I know how he feels. I had a family dentist once who told my small children that their mommy was a big chicken. My boys never had a problem, and I was/am a big chicken. This dentist, his name sounded like ow, didn’t believe me when I told him my mouth wasn’t numb after five shots. He continued to drill as I sat there , tears running down my face. He said it was just my imagination, running away with me (sorry for the Temptation segue). I may have a brilliant wit (thanks Mitch) but my imagination ain’t that good! I left the office, cavities fixed, tears still streaming, got in my car, hit the freeway and POW! My whole jaw swelled like a gigantic chipmunk’s! Took hours for it to wear off. Fast forward to a different dentist. This person noticed my stress and suggested I be gassed just enough to relax me because the numbing stuff wouldn’t work on me otherwise. Haven’t had to have more than one or two shots (depends on what’s being done) since. You know, they have the technology to warm up that blasted water. Why don’t they? Lousy sadists! I always hum Be a Dentist at every visit. It’s calming. It is a hell of a lot easier getting the eye injections.
Deedles:
That dentist was an asshole. That would be hell for anyone, but someone who’s afraid in the first place? What an asshole. I’ll be he was a misogynist!
Boy it sure doesn’t look like Christmas there with that scenery! San Geraldo didn’t have a perio scaping did he? I had one once, where you have to go back four separate visits to deep clean below the gums. A cleaning here is once visit and done.
Mistress Maddie:
I had one deep cleaning a long time ago, but it was only two visits — one for top and one for bottom. The cleaning Jerry just had was actually a deep cleaning, but the technology made it a breeze… for the dentist at least.
I avoid dentistry. I hear ya, SG.
anne marie:
You’re in the majority. As we told these stories recently to friends and neighbors, every one of them said, “I hate the dentist.” Some take it a step further and refuse to go.
I’ve never minded having my teeth cleaned sonically or manually and I love how my teeth feel so smooth afterwards. But I can sure sympathize with SG and don’t blame him for up and leaving if he was that uncomfortable. Be gentle with him, Mitchell, he’s a delicate boy.
Wilma:
I too love that smooth feeling after my teeth are polished. Jerry’s smile sparkles today. Although he did say this morning that he was in recovery.
Good for you both ! I need to get my choppers cleaned as well.
Spo:
Mine are holding up well given the 16 months of Invisalign braces.