A Million Dollar Smile

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

“What do you fear most about going to the dentist?” This was the first question a young, energetic dentist asked me on my very first visit to his office.

“The shots,” was my immediate reply. The shots are necessary when work on a tooth is needing to be done. Well, perhaps there are some people who can tolerate the dentist working on a tooth without Novocain, but I am not one of those people. Actually, my greatest fear is them hitting a nerve that hasn’t been deadened. This has happened before.

“No problem,” was the dentist’s response. “You won’t feel a thing!”

I left his office totally traumatized. He ended up being the worst dentist I had ever gone to. Every single shot he gave made we long for unconsciousness. If he was this bad with the Novocain, how would he be with repairing the tooth? Absolutely nothing would entice me to go back to him again.

I avoid the dentist like the plague, which is easy to do not having dental insurance. My last visit was in Hawaii, where all my root canals had to be extracted. They were causing my other, perfectly good teeth, to crumble. A reoccurring dream of mine for many years was that my teeth, for no reason, would start falling out of my mouth like dominos. I would wake up feeling like I had a mouth full of loose teeth. It was freaky. Now, it was as if my dream was, in a way, coming true. Those root canals had to come out before I did lose all my teeth.

The dentist in Hawaii was not only really good, he was gentle with the shots. Though I had to have many, I rarely felt the prick of his anesthetic needle. In three visits, he removed all those difficult root canals and fitted me for an upper partial. One lonely, little root canal was left. It was one of my lower front teeth, so I decided to leave it.

That was seven years ago. Just over two weeks ago, that little tooth became so infected and painful, a dentist was necessary. I immediately began using an antibiotic blend of essential oils and called mom and dad Dekle’s dentist, praying they would take a new patient. Many aren’t these days. The appointment was set for a week later, which was fine. It would give the oils a chance to decrease the infection before arriving at the dentist office. By the time I was checked out by him, the infection had greatly decreased, but not totally. It would be better, all around, if the infection was pretty much cleared up, so he suggested waiting to pull the tooth.

“I see that your oils have greatly helped clear the infection, but I could prescribe you an antibiotic to help,” He suggested.

“No, I’d rather not,” was my reply. I explained to him how the oils had helped perfectly when all my other root canals were pulled. I would rather trust them, since they have proven themselves, than chemicals.

“No problem,” was his response. He could already tell they had worked wonders.

A week later I was back in his office, ready for the last root canal to be pulled. Would you believe, not only was this dentist a very caring, interactive dentist, but also very gentle with the shots. I hardly felt a thing! Moreover, it took more time for my mouth to numb than to pull the tooth. I was in and out of his office in less than a half hour.

The deed is done. The bad is gone. Why had I delayed seven years? Partly it was out of pride. A dear friend during my time at Prairie Bible Institute as Public Relations secretary, told me, upon our first meeting, that I had a million dollar smile and needed to use it as much as possible.” Though that man has since passed into glory, I have never forgotten his words. It’s amazing how a simple smile can be an encouragement to others.

So, what does pride have to do with it? For a long time, I felt pulling that tooth, right smack in front, would damage my smile. I have since learned, teeth have nothing to do with it. It all has to do with genuineness and inner beauty. Many are so concerned about having that “perfect” smile and some actually spend thousands of dollars to get it, but in vain. If the inner beauty, which comes from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ personally, is there, no one will care about a few missing teeth!

Furthermore, His presence in our lives should show in our countenance no matter what the circumstances. Psalm 43:5 asks, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” During the difficult times remember He is our hope! More and more people need to see that we have hope. Even a smile while walking along the street can cheer a troubled heart. I know. I have seen people lite up by a simple, joyous smile.

My prayer is that people will see my precious Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, in my smile.

Blessings, Mari