Jaws and Dentists

95% of TMJ surgery patients are women, most of whom have no idea why their jaw is whacked out and hurting. "It's just one more burden you guys are saddled with in life," the surgeon said. Of the 5% of men who have the surgery, nearly all of them can relate their jaw problems to a single event - usually a fight or sports injury. Something about the estrogen receptors in muscles or bones - I couldn't quite follow the whole story, because the oral surgeon was standing in front of a window covered with open blinds. Staring at him, the horizontal lines from the blinds made my eyes freak out, and I had a hard time paying attention to all the words coming out of his mouth. But I did hear him say that knowing about the estrogen receptors " is pretty cool, but it doesn't help us out at all." Apparently, knowing they are present doesn't equate with knowing what their purpose is.

Why is it that very good looking men enter the dental profession? My brother has a close friend from high school who is following in his father's footsteps and becoming a dentist, as are his two little brothers. They're all gorgeous, including the dad. In middle school, my best friend Elizabeth was madly in love with her hot orthodontist. And my oral surgeon, who took out my wisdom teeth six years ago and who I visited yesterday about TMJ surgery, is gorgeous.

Talking with my mom yesterday I realized that I've grown up a lot recently. She and I are able to talk to each other without me getting pissed and leaving. We can even disagree and not hate each other. We talk about big life issues, which I've never discussed with many people, but certainly not my mom. I always hated talking to her, but now, when I'm around her, I can't stop. It almost makes me feel like an adult.