Another year, another dental insurance plan, another dental surgery!

When I tell people that — thanks to genetics — I don’t have wisdom teeth, they always crow about how lucky I am.

Ehhh… not so much.

While it’s true that I’m grateful I never had to have impacted molars removed, I’ve had a slew of other dental problems over the past three decades. I have hypodontia so I’m missing several teeth that I should have, and my remaining teeth are laden with issues.

I’ve had braces four (yes, FOUR) times, extractions (baby teeth fused to my jawbone), bone grafts, implants… you name it, and as long as it isn’t wisdom tooth removal, I’ve had it performed. I’ve had more bottles of that medicinal mouthwash prescribed than you can count.

So, my latest procedure? Gum grafting! Guys, lemme tell ya. NOT FUN. The periodontist had to cut an inch-long incision in the roof of my mouth to scrape out tissue to add to two places along my bottom jaw.

Plus, I’m a redhead. So local anesthesia just… doesn’t work on me.

Seriously… NINE shots of Novocaine and I could still feel the sutures going into my face. Argh.

Anyway. While the dental procedures suck enough, what’s even harder is being hangry and grumpy and relegated to liquid and soft foods for two weeks.