note to self

When the dentist says 'be careful with eating until the numbness wears off', he isn't just referring to avoiding very hot or very cold food and beverages. He means 'don't eat anything'.

Full stop.

No matter what you might think, the superb strength displayed in holding your mouth open for a dizzying length of time is admirable but not worthy of a sweet treat. Pretense at calmness and bravery in the face of anxiety is to be commended. But not rewarded with sugar. Attempts to fall asleep as the drill drilled and the suction sucked are noteworthy... but should not be repaid with chocolate-coated, raspberry-flavoured licorice. (Don't even think about the nasty food colourings in that one!)

Because when your mouth is numb, you can't feel anything. Not anything! Not your gums, not your teeth, and certainly not your lips.

Which might explain why your lip started bleeding as you chomped rather clumsily through both it and the chocolate-coated, raspberry-flavoured licorice. The painlessness of the lump and bruise cannot hide the sad truth that you suffered a self inflicted injury because of your foolish misinterpretation of the dentists instructions. While he thought you were sensible because you were donned in a nurse's uniform you have shown yourself to be rather silly.

Next time - heed the words of the dentist and don't eat anything!

(Four hours later and I still have a numb lip. But I didn't feel any of the drilling! Marvellous!)