I was eating a Hershey’s chocolate kiss at a baby shower and felt it in my mouth, swirling around in the chocolate. Part of a molar. My friend Sharon came through with a tissue in which to contain the tooth. I then finished the chocolate, of course. After all, it was just one kiss. I was half a molar short of a full overbite and knew some dental work was in order.
Doc prodded and poked, numbed my mouth and drilled as we talked of my coronation. It seems I would need a crown soon and he sent me on my way, with orders to contact him asap if I had any pain. Off I went, a few stops on my way home and then to our book discussion that night, where we had a lively discussion on The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. As the night wore on and the Novocaine wore off, I started feeling some discomfort which even a slice Donna’s cranberry cobbler didn’t ease. I proceeded to have a sleepless and painful night.
I’ve been on antibiotics and a nice little pain pill ever since, which has rendered me rather loopy and drowsy. To be honest, I’m mostly sleeping in front of the television and have yet to see the end of any movie that has been on as I wrap myself up in a blanketed ball and act goofy. This writing has taken quite a few attempts to complete, but, complete it I will.
I mentioned to my dear friend Janet that I had a toothache and she remembered her Dad taking her for milkshakes after dentist visits when she was a child . That brought about memories of my own.
Our dentist was in Chicago, downtown, in the Loop. The Loop is the center of business and shopping and is where the elevated train wends around, in a loop, high on its trestles. What fun it was as a child to come in from the suburbs, riding the “el”. I can remember those first times around as the train leaned a bit into the curve and the wheels screeched as the windows of buildings flew by. Sometimes secretaries and businessmen could be seen working inside a skyscraper and it was one big adventure for little Penny.
Sometimes, we would take the subway, which was just as much fun, for we would be underground part of the way, the best part being while we were in the Loop. We would climb up the stairs and then into the Field Annex, where all sorts of shops were. The Field Annex was part of the legendary Marshall Field’s and Company and holds many a story for many a day.
Up the elevator we would go, back in the days when they were “driven” by an elevator operator. “Step all the in way, miss”, he would say, and then close the gates and the door as folks said the floor number they needed. “Twelve”. “Fourteen”. Never a thirteenth floor. The gate would open, then the door and out would pile each group of riders.
After the dentist cleaned our teeth, filled a cavity if needed, and handed out a toy from a box he kept in his desk, my mom would take us to the Woolworth’s on State Street. Inside was the best luncheon counter a child could imagine. It seemed to snake around forever and ever with stools that swirled and people sat eating their hotdogs and fries. Dottie and I would always have the same thing. The only thing I ever remember having at the counter.
A chocolate milk shake! A big, delicious, cold, creamy, smooth chocolate milkshake with a big straw to sip with, a long, handled spoon, and a metal container at the side which held the rest of the shake. It felt so good and it tasted so chocolatey and rich, though Ma would have to occasionally wipe our chins as we tried to drink with our mouths half numb.
Well, dear reader, the pain pill is starting to kick in and my eyes are drooping, so I best end this chapter of chocolate milkshakes and riding the “el”, but, not before telling you what my Antler Man did after he made me some soup on Friday night. Yes, indeed, he went out and returned with a big chocolate shake and I smiled and sipped it all up!
Thanks, Tom, for the shake and Janet for setting the memories in motion.
Do you have any childhood memories of going to the dentist that are fun?
Oh, Penny!
I sympathize with you. Suffice it to say, I have No good childhood nor adult memories of the dentist. In fact, I have to take a mild happy pill to relax enough to make my appointments now. And I am blessed with a stellar dentist who is relatively painless and very understanding of my phobia!
I am sure you will sail through the process with ease. Especially since you have those chocolate shakes delivered with love. Take it easy. I’ll be thinking of you.
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I’m with you, Marilyn. I don’t quite need the happy pill beforehand, but, make sure I have an Advil in my pocket just in case afterwards. I think of my mom and those milkshakes and the ride on the train and it makes it easier to get me to the dentist. Thanks for your good wishes.
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Penny, so sorry about your tooth. I had a similar drama last year. No fun. I hope your mouth is back to normal soon.
I love your memories of Chicago. My husband lived there for 6 years in the 90’s. He is from Milwaukee, right up the lake. Cities can be such wonderlands for adults and children alike.
I once took my Baby Tender Love to the dentist and would not let him touch my mouth until he inspected hers.
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I think once I have the dreaded root canal I will feel much better.
Thank you. Milwaukee is a wonderful city just a few hours “up the coast” on Lake Michigan. I’m sure he loved his time in Chicago. I love all it has to offer,
Aw, what a sweet memory of going to the dentist, Andra, and a caring dentist who check Baby Tender Love’s mouth first. I’m smiling and will think of this next I’m told to open my mouth wide.
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I can’t say that I do. I’ve never used the words dentist and fun in the same sentence or even in the same paragraph. I’ve never been afraid of them, but even the smell of their offices is almost too much for me. I’m due for a visit now and Not looking forward to it. That milkshake sounds good, though. 🙂
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Oh, I know that smell, Teresa. It is like no other and all dentist offices seem to have it. Think of a milkshake, or a smoothie, as a reward afterwards.
I loved the poem you posted today, or, at least I read it today. Sorry, I still can’t comment, but, it was a wonderful poem of a life well-led.
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Penny, so sorry to hear about your tooth pain! I don’t have a dentist story but I had a childhood experience that resulted in a family “tradition.” At the age of 5 I was whacked in the forehead with a metal shovel by a nasty playmate (Jimmy!) and had a number of stitches. When we returned to the doctor to have the stitches removed, my treat for being so good during this procedure was the purchase of a Hershey’s chocolate candy bar (large) and a handful of Double Bubble bubble gum. My mother NEVER allowed us to have sugar, much less candy, so you can imagine the impact this made on me! Many years later as an adult I did the same thing for my little niece who broke her arm, and SHE, now grown, also treated her daughter to this special treat, so we are now into a 3rd generation. Hope your recovery is speedy. My own teeth have been subjected to excessive salivation from your description of the chocolate shake!
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Oh, what a wonderful story, in spite of the stitches, Kathryn, and a family tradition of Hershey bars and Double Bubble bubble gum. Having shared a love of chocolate with you for too many years to count, I can only imagine what a treat that was for you. It was a very good chocolate shake from Portillo’s that Tom ventured out to get for me. Not far from you at all, my friend. Thanks, Kathryn. I’m sure I’ll be feeling much better once I have the dreaded root canal.
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Oh Penny – how I can empathize. I am embarrassed to admit it but….I broke a portion of my molar four years ago and since I felt no pain, I did not go to the dentist. Just recently, however, another small piece broke off and I fear that I cannot ignore it any longer.
Why have I waited so long? Because I have no fond memories of the dentist – ever. I had three different dentists in my childhood and each of them left me with a great distaste for the profession. I know there are some wonderful ones out there, but I have not had the good fortune to meet one.
Alas, I do believe it is time for me to mature, however, and try my luck once again.
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I know, Molly, If it hadn’t left a gaping hole in my mouth, I would have put it off. In fact, I was in a little bit of pain and had I gone in sooner I wouldn’t have this pain now, I’m sure. Get it taken care of, then see about a shake or a smoothy.
Going to the dentist is never much fun, is it? I think it is the one practice that most people fear the most.
Good luck. Be strong and brave.
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Commiserations Penny! Tooth pain is no fun at all. I must say I laughed at the thought of your coronation impending. May you be well and safely crowned before too long, and I hope the pain subsides quickly.
When we were children, we had a free dental service with every primary school. The dental nurse would make us a little ‘snowman’ out of a length of compressed cottonwool, and on it she drew a happy mouth and blue eyes. No doubt it was part of their training. We were also given some mercury to play with, in a little tube – not such a good idea now that we know how poisonous mercury is.
Good to see you back on the blog; I was beginning to wonder if you were OK.
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Thanks, Juliet. I’ll be better as soon as I have that coronation. (I should change ordination to coronation. Maybe when the pain subsides – tee hee). What a cute idea to make a snowman. I’m sure it let young imaginations soar while being checked. No, not a good idea but who knew then about mercury? I can remember an oral thermometer breaking once and watching with glee as it bounced across the floor. My grandmother yelled at us to get back as she carefully cleaned it up. She never yelled at us, so, we knew it wasn’t fun.
Thank you, Juliet. I’m okay, but, was really in a bit of pain for a few days there.
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Gosh, Penny, hope you feel better soon! Toothache is horrid!
As for fond memories of the dentist: positively not 😀 Apart from the fish tank which was in the waiting room. There was a catfish inside which would spend its days swimming up the tank and down the tank, up the tank and down the tank….trance-inducing….
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On the mend, now, Kate, and will hopefully be better soon as the root canal is done.
Oh, those fish tanks. There was one in the orthodontist’s office that Katy went to and yes, the fish, swimming up and down and all around.
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Just a chocolate kiss? Wow.
In my humble opinion, tooth aches rank up there with back aches and migraines. Do feel better, and real soon!
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One. Just one, wrapped in pink foil for the expected baby girl. Sigh.
You are so right, Nerima. They are all an achy bother. I’ll try and I thank you.
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Dear Penny,
Despite your feeling “loopy,” this was a delightful posting filled with the sounds and sights that you saw on the “el” and the taste of that chocolate shake and the tenderness of your mother wiping the drips from your chin. Thank you for sharing this lovely memory.
My only memory of the dentist happened probably when I was in the sixth grade. A group of women at St. Mary’s School asked which of us had never seen a dentist. I hadn’t. So they set up a free appointment. My teeth were in a bad way and the dentist asked me why I’d never been to his office before. I said something like, “We don’t have any extra money.”
When I told my mom, she scolded me for telling family secrets. I didn’t see a dentist again until many years later. Needless to say, I have lots and lots and still more fillings!
Peace.
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You are so welcome, Dee. It’s easier to share a dollop of fun memories with the not-so-good ones. The treat of the shake was special as we never went out to eat. My dad’s reply was always “why would we go out when we have food here?”
I’m sure that many only went to the dentist when there was a toothache or accident of some sort. I can imagine your mom not being the only one scolding her child for telling family secrets. Can you imagine what our parents would think of these reality shows today?
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Dee, I meant to thank you for making the changes to your blog. Yea! I was able to leave a comment today.
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Fond memories of dental visits? Surely you jest! 🙂
Lots and lots of wonderful memories of many childhood visits to Chicago, however; going to the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, the Brookfield Zoo, Lincoln Park and so many more. Thanks for sharing your memory today. Feel better soon!
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Ha! I should have afterwards memories. It sure did elicit a few comments, though.
Those are some of my favorite places, Karen. Chicago is a great place to visit. You are so very welcome and I thank you. I should, soon.
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Sorry about your tooth! I first went to the dentist in 7th grade and had to have a tooth pulled. I don’t think I went again until I was married. We just didn’t go for “regular” checkups for anything back then – no $. I’m a firm believer in preventative dentistry/medicine. Since I’ve had good teeth don’t mind going to the dentist (hope I haven’t just jinxed it!) but no stories to tell. I don’t remember getting “rewards” for anything growing up – I guess it was just expected of us to do what we had to. Being at the end of 9 children my siblings thought I was spoiled, but I don’t see how! 🙂 Part of them were gone by the time I can remember. Only 4 of us left now. Mother died when I was 14; my dad was 74 at the time and not in good health so I lived with a sister and her family of 6 little kids (she had 5 under 5 at one point!) But I’m rambling – hope your mouth is bbetter soon.
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Ouch! That was a rough first visit to the dentist, Joyce. I was having some twinges and should have gotten in sooner than I did as there was likely a crack in the tooth for awhile. Preventative medicine is the way to go, you are right. We didn’t have many rewards either, but, the milkshake was bliss and there were only my sister and me. That is such a large family and your Mother died when you were still so young. I imagine you did your share of baby sitting with all those nieces and nephews. Ramble all you like, Joyce. It is nice “talking” with you here.
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Loopy you may have been when you wrote this post, but it was precious! I do hope you are feeling better. As for dentist stories as a child. . . . . I really don’t remember having a bad dentist day! As an adult. . . . . . my first root canal ranks pretty high on the discomfort list!! Yukey it was!
ox m.a.
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I am, Mary Anne, and hope to be better still once I have that root canal. I’m just hoping that once that is over with, the pain will subside so I can stop being so loopy! Tom tells me I’ve been saying some pretty odd things. tee hee
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Penny, you write more beautifully when you’re “loopy” than most of us could hope for when we’re at our top form. Yikes, I hope you get your tooth permanently fixed asap. No fun.
No good memories of dentists, have always hated going. (My baby sister is a dentist, not in the city where we lived — I am sure she is the only good one ever ;>)!).
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How nice of you to say that, Sallie. Thank you. I hope to get this remedied soon.
I’m sure you are right about your sister. Then, again, I wouldn’t let my sister work on my teeth as I’m sure she’d be tempted to “get back” at me for some childhood deed. ha!
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Penny,
P.S.
Be sure to time your pain med so you don’t miss Downton Abbey!
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Advice taken, Marilyn. I didn’t miss a word, though so much of it was sad last night, wasn’t it? Cry, I did.
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Penny, this I can say without hesitation – I have no “fun” childhood memories of going to the dentist! But I do “feel your pain” – been there, done that and I wish you the best luck with that tooth!
Your trips to the dentist sound like something to look forward to, and as for the milk shake, that is something that tastes as good as an adult as it did as a child, doesn’t it? I’m a chocolate malt girl myself, but a shake wouldn’t go astray either!
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Thanks, Janet. Hopefully, I’ll get that root canal dug soon enough and be back to normal. My first dentist experiences were gentle. I was lucky.
It sure was for the milk shake, and the train ride (which started with a bus ride) that were something to look forward to. You are so right. Milk shakes, or chocolate malts, taste as good now as when when we were kids. Katy actually took me once when she was in college to a soda place that made these really good shakes that came out with the glass and the metal container. It was bliss.
Maybe just one more after my root canal . . .
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I hope by now you are feeling better. I am sure having the root canal looming is no fun, but it will be over soon. A word of caution. Now they tell you not to suck on a straw after dental work while you are still numb. I still loved it when I was little.
I had a dentist on the fifth floor of the Myers Building in Springfield. I don’t really remember what he looked like, but I know his hands always smelled minty and he entered the room singing “doodley doodley dooo.” He made little plaster statues that he gave us after the appointment. My all time favorite was Snow White and another one was Lady of Lady and the Tramp. I loved Dr. Blunk even if I didn’t want my teeth worked on. He even tried to make the “ride in the chair” fun.
Take care, dear Penny, and have another milkshake.
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I am, Janet, thank you. I’m hoping to get that root canal done this week and move on. I’ll remember not to use a straw should I be tempted to have another milk shake.
Dr. Blunk. That is the best name for a dentist and that you not only remembered the name of the building, but, the fifth floor as well – I’m impressed. Those little statues sound like fun prizes for opening wide and riding the chair. You have some of the most vivid childhood memories.
I will, Janet, and just maybe another milkshake.
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Nice title by the way!
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Thanks!
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I am truly sorry about your problem. My question is – out there does a milk shake have ice cream in it? Here, a milk shake has no ice cream. If it does, it is called a frappe.
You’ll hate me but I’ve never had novocaine. I’ve not had a tooth drilled. I had a few fillings when I was little, but they were sort of pushed into the hole with some kind of tool that never hurt.
My dentist wore a regular shirt. There was no hygienist. You could spit into the bowl. Old, old days. Oh, and the visit cost $15.
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Thanks, Nan, and yes, the milk shakes here have ice cream in them. Is a frappe more of a coffee drink?
Good for you! I don’t hate you one bit and, in fact, admire you for your strong teeth. I never had many cavities, but, some and now that I’m older, I seem to be losing bits and pieces of my teeth. Sigh. If only my hips would fall away as easily.
Ah, yes, those old days. I don’t remember a hygienist until rather recently, Nan, and yes, much less expensive visits. I did get a senior discount, however, which I’m not so sure I liked.
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Ah, poor Penny! Sounds miserable, and kind of relaxing all at the same time! I don’t have too many childhood dentistry memories, but I often think back to the lunch counter at Woolworth’s! I think ours may have been smaller and perhaps not part of a cosmopolitan center, but even to this day my mom and I mention it from time to time. Our treat was the best cheese sandwich! Our comfort food! Hope the dentistry goes well. I’ve been there, too! Not fun! Debra
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I sure have been sleeping well, Debra, though I held off on the pain pill last night and did fine. Just a few twinges. I needed to be alert for Downton Abbey. What a special memory to have with your mom and to still be able to talk about? and that cheese sandwich! Wonderful! I’m eager to get this over and done. Thank you.
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I’m so sorry about your tooth and so sorry that I had no idea or I would have called to check in on you (now I feel bad)! I also admit, that I’m a bit sorry to have missed witnessing some loopy moments 🙂
While I don’t remember loving or necessarily looking forward to the dentist, I did usually enjoy most of it alright. You know all this, but I’ll share anyways in case anyone else cares. The medical building our dentist was in for most of memories was a strange building; the offices were around the edges of a square/rectangle and the middle was a glassed in section with plants and peacocks (if I remember correctly). It was always odd and always pretty cool. The waiting room was great with toys and children’s magazines and I always liked that part too. There was a not-too great piece of art on the walls on the rooms, and while they worked in your mouth, they would ask you to find all the birds in the picture. Why did I try to count them every time? There was also “Mr. Thirsty” to clean up your drooling and an assortment of flavors that were supposed to taste good for our flouride treatment. Gross though they may have been, I’ve remained cavity free my entire life! The dentist himself was quite comical and fun and the sticker on the way out (and being added to the cavity-free chart) also made a world of difference. I do remember that we couldn’t eat for a half-hour or so afterwards, but I’m pretty sure there were treats after that of the milkshake variety.
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Don’t feel badly, Katy. You didn’t know and I’m fine – but, you did miss some good loopy moments that you would have enjoyed. Ask Dad about me being so drowsy I let my eyes drowse. I don’t remember a thing, but, he’s been laughing about it all weekend.
I’m out the door in bit for the root canal and I’ll be sure to tell the dentist about your reminisces. You are absolutely right in your description of the center section, the plants, and yes, the peacocks – then Mr. Thirsty! Thanks for you comment, Katy. Miss you.
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Oh, poor Penny, Toothache is awful and I do hope the pain stops soon and you can get the necessary work done as quickly as possible.
I must admit to not having any happy memories of the dentist from when I was young, even though our nice dentist was the father of a school friend. This was before the days of local anaesthetics and because I have weak teeth, I needed to have a lot of often painful work done. 😦 But at least my parents never had to worry about the cost of, as the National Health Service was founded not long after I was born.
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Just a little achy tonight after the first phase of the root canal, Perpetua. It wasn’t bad at all, though the dentist numbed my mouth pretty well.
That must have been quite a trial for you every time you needed to visit the dentist, Perpetua, especially as a child. Now, they numb the area with a topical swab before shooting in the novacaine, making it so much easier these days. It’s still no fun to sit atilt with one’s mouth wide open. You can’t imagine what this has already cost me, and I still need a crown. I’m glad that your parents didn’t have the cost of your dental care to worry about.
Thank you for your concern.
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