Cold Turkey

Yesterday I returned to NYU Dental School to get x-rayed and begin a regimen of treatment on my wretched, rapidly decaying teeth. The children who x-rayed me were cute in an incomptent way, but if they'd been handling drills, I would've had words with someone. I got x-rayed and their supervisor/professor came in to discuss.

"Are you a heavy smoker," she asked? Uh, no. She looked at me and told me I had VERY SERIOUS ISSUES for a woman my age. Basically I have the teeth of an elderly chainsmoker. She then asked again if I smoked, I guess thinking I might be lying.

I really don't! I asked her if she thought Diet Coke could've caused the damage. Her eyes got wide and she said "Of course!" a little too enthusiastically for my taste. She then went on to tell me all the horrible things my favorite beverage does to teeth. The gist of which is, I have to quit. Immediately.

So more Nectar of the Goddesses for me. It won't be easy. I don't drink Diet Coke because it has no calories. I drink it because it's a delicious carbonated beverage. Nothing goes better with a cheeseburger or helps cure a hangover quicker. But if I want to keep my teeth, I have to say no. So from now on, I'm strictly a water and wine gal. Sigh.

Comments

[kate]

i think that gerolsteiner, the german mineral water, is the liquid of the goddesses, but i am prepared for you to disagree with me.

chances are, if the diet coke is wreaking havoc on yr teeth, it´s not so good for the insides either. but that´s mere, unprofessional speculation.

i grieve for your loss.

[Rachel]

I was heavy diet coke drinker but have always been afraid of discoloring my teeth. So when I need one, I drink with a straw. Would that work for you? Only when you REALLY need one of course...

[judes]

I can't go back even for one can! I've tried to have "just one" before and that little kinkaju goes gorilla in no time flat! That delicious minx of a beverage has my number.