Nobody's a cool kid at the dentist

Going to the dentist always make me feel like a little kid. It’s probably because you have to sit in that big reclining chair, helpless as the hygienist pokes and prods your gums and teeth.

When I was a kid and I’d go to the dentist, I remember I’d always stare directly into the hygienist's eyes the whole time she cleaned my teeth. I didn’t do it to purposely be a creepy little kid. But that might have been the result. Thinking on this, I recently told one of my friends who is a dental hygienist about my old habit and she assured me that lots of kids do it, and that it’s cute, not creepy. That's good to know. She also said a few grown men do it and that it’s not so cute then. Understandably so.

My least favorite part of going to the dentist (besides the drilling) is when they coat your teeth with a bunch of purple dye to show you where you need to brush better. While your teeth are all purple, the dentist comes in to greet you. You have to akwardly smile and make small talk while trying to conceal your bubba teeth. Overall, I’d say going to the dentist is a pretty humbling experience. It’s impossible to look cool with purple-stained teeth or while your lips are shoved up to your nose with the hygienist scrubbing away.


But, I’m realizing that in life it isn’t always in my best interests to avoid embarrassing, painful, or uncomfortable situations. Or to pray for God to keep me from them. Not that going to the dentist is really a big deal, but just in general, I think people always want to avoid any discomfort in life. In reality though, it’s probably good for us to lie back in a big squeaky chair, have our teeth painted purple and attempt to hold a dignified conversation. That way, we’ll remember not to take ourselves too seriously.


So, go on – do something that makes you feel like a dorky kid! Blows to the ego have to produce some sort of meaniful reward, right?