an apple a day, i would say, is not very helpful

i'm staring up at the ceiling- styrofoam ceiling that has mini holes like the ones pancakes make when they're ready to be flipped over. there are fluorescent lights above, a watercolor of a portuguese beach to my left and the dentist on my right.

berlin's "take my breath away": he numbs my upper jaw with 4 shots of anesthesia; 2 upper left, 2 upper right. the top portion of my mouth begins to feel bulbous. i touch the tip of my nose and can't feel a thing.

a rod stewart song, 24-hour fitness, toyota of vancouver and "immediate success" commercials: the drilling begins- the worst part, in my opinion. i can smell tooth dust and the vacuum stick that she places in my mouth to suck up my saliva also manages to force the smell into my nose.

proactive commercial: the dentist and hygienist leave me alone in the room while they prepare the porcelain. i'm tempted to touch my teeth with my tongue- i wonder if i would be able to feel the holes or not. i chicken out and keep my tongue where it is.

a kenny loggins song followed by wilson phillips: with 4 gaping holes in teeth that once held decay, the dentist smashes porcelain down. the dental hygienist zaps my teeth with an instrument that i think warms the material to form a solid filling. the seat returns to an upright position and a new toothbrush is thrust into my hand.

approximately 1 hour after walking into the dentist's office i am done. i'm looking forward to eating sweets without suffering the minor shots of pain i had to endure before. and cheers to having a mother that can pull strings in the dental industry for a daughter with no insurance.