96 / 365: Pearly yellowishs

Three and a half years since the last visit to the dentist, and I got myself signed up to visit the student dentists in Eccles.

Pros: You get a course of treatment completely for free. You get seen by people fresh in their training, and by their supervisors who are top of their field. Including, in my case, a debate about whether it was my number 4s or number 5s which got removed on each side when I was 17. Additional freebies include a polish and varnish with fluoride and anti-sensitivity paste (which tastes of toffee and banana, and doesn't work for more than a day or so).

Cons: Have you any idea how far away Eccles is? Nor had I, until I had to cycle there, late, in a snowstorm. I got lost due to a lack of street name signs in the Eccles area, and ended up being directed on the phone by one of the dentists, who was obviously helping out in the reception area when I called, but knew as little about the area he served as anyone else.

The good news: despite various concern I had about unsound-feeling teeth and a sudden increase in sensitivity, there's absolutely nothing wrong with my teeth on my right side. On the left, there is one small area of caries (tooth decay) which "we'll take that out" (he later clarified that he didn't mean the whole tooth), which might involve a small amount of drilling and maybe a tiny filling. How much was he playing that down?

Anyway, grrr, this is the first time I've needed drilling or a filling - had been quite pleased with my record, but, given how bad I am at remembering to look after my teeth, I've gotten away with it for long enough.