Long before the plague came around, I was practicing Social distancing. I can’t think of any gentle.This isn’t easy for me to share. Even now as I click ‘Post’, I have my doubts of whether to share it.
For much of my 30s, I have struggled with very bad breath; not the kind in conjunction with particularly savory food; even curiously strong altoids or gum, even midday tooth brushing only paused the odor momentarily covering the bad breath. Maybe it’s hereditary, or just years of poor dental hygiene but I have always struggled with my teeth. I had abscessed teeth, cracked, infected gums fractured, and missing teeth; a few lost in falls or other traumas. Though teeth may have cracked or been lost in falls or other traumas.
Knowing that bad breath is at the top of the list of things that change relationship dynamics, I would keep some special people I kept at literal arm's length distance from romance, and even friendships. What kept me from getting it taken care of? In a word: Shame. Some fear too. I once wen to a dentist and his recommendation was basically extracting most of my remaining teeth with a significant price tag on each one. Without any remaining pride, I decided upon returning to Oregon, that I would start going to a dentist. On my first visit, the x-rays showed a number of “root tips” where I’d lost teeth, the visible teeth were gone, but the left behind pieces of the tooth roots attached to the jaw. Left behind to decay, and yes, cause odor. I haven’t regained a fresh mouth, but , I had the root tips taken out by an oral surgeon, and now I’m one of those people, who used to bother me because they looked forward to their next check-up and cleaning. It feels good on this side of that poor dental health, and to looking forward to my next appointment.