I’m lucky

I must not buy any more handbags because it is going to cost $1800 to fix my gums.

That’s on top of the $275 that it cost for the periodontist to measure how far my gums have receded between each tooth.

The verdict; I have mild periodontitis. It’s a gum infection that can lead to tooth loss because it damages your jawbone.

It’s caused by not cleaning your teeth thoroughly enough. I do brush twice a day and floss, but I must not have been a bit crap at it. I’ve been tasked with buying an electric toothbrush with a round head and buffing each tooth for 10 seconds.

My gums aren’t hopelessly bad – some bits were great – but the periodontist said it will take two sessions of one hour each to clean them all. There will be needles – sob, I hate mouth needles – and a lot of discomfort and I won’t be able to chew for hours afterwards.

I was feeling pretty gloomy as I trudged back to the office. I tried to shop my feelings at Sportsgirl on route, but I barely fitted into a pair of size 16 denim shorts, which made me even more miserable.

As I was walking to the bus stop at the end of the day I was contemplating having a pity weep, then it occurred to me that I am actually lucky.

I can afford to pay the money to ensure my teeth don’t fall out from untreated periodontitis. Many people can’t.

The latest NAB Consumer Confidence Report shows a rising number of people are being forced to skip meals due to the cost of living crisis.

I will not feel very lucky when I sit in the dental chair next Wednesday. But I am. I must focus on that.

And today is the day that I maybe, hopefully find out what’s wrong with my spine/sacrum/hip.

It’s so exciting to be middle aged …

Song of the day: Kylie Minogue “I should be so lucky”