I haven't yet decided upon a resolution for 2009, but just last week I finally crossed last year's off the ongoing to-do list.
I went to the dentist.
I hadn't been in more years than I'd like to admit, and I was nothing less than terrified as the dental hygienist poked around in there with her various instruments of plaque destruction. I watched her face carefully for signs of horror, hoping to prepare myself for the series of cavities, root canals and wisdom teeth removal I was expecting.
But she remained expressionless. And quiet. No small talk, no jokes, no questions that require more than yes or no answers while she's got her hands in your mouth.
Finally it was over.
"You're fine," she said.
What? But what about my tooth sensitivity? It takes but a cool breeze passing by my open mouth to send shockwaves down to my roots. And candy! I'd all but given up, I told her. It was just too painful.
It was just then that the dentist walked in the room.
"Which do you think is worse for your teeth: chocolate or raisins?"
Oh no. It was one thing to give up fun-sized Snickers bars, but nature's candy? No way. No can do.
After I got home I decided to do some investigating to see if there was truth behind this man's claim that the cocoa bean has some kind of active ingredient in it that actually aids in tooth decay prevention.
It turns out that a study done by researchers at Osaka University in Japan shows that the cocoa bean husk actually thwarts mouth bacteria and tooth decay, so much so that its been considered for inclusion in mouthwash and toothpaste.
Sounds like the best news in the world until you read on to discover that the bean's husk usually goes to waste in chocolate production. Bummer.
But it might still be a small consolation to know that the scientists found that chocolate is less harmful than many other sweet foods because the antibacterial agents in cocoa beans offset its high sugar levels.
I'm sure the same cannot be said for my dried fruit of choice, but at least it's not refined sugar, right?
There's probably a lesson to be learned here -- something about moderation. But until they start making chocolate toothpaste, I think I'll stick to dried fruit and gentle brushing -- another big push from the dental department -- and be thankful I didn't mess things up too badly in there.
OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Julie Lawrence grew up in Wauwatosa and has lived her whole life in the Milwaukee area.
As any “word nerd” can attest, you never know when inspiration will strike, so from a very early age Julie has rarely been seen sans pen and little notebook. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee it seemed only natural that she major in journalism. When OnMilwaukee.com offered her an avenue to combine her writing and the city she knows and loves in late 2004, she knew it was meant to be. Around the office, she answers to a plethora of nicknames, including “Lar,” (short for “Larry,” which is short for “Lawrence”) as well as the mysteriously-sourced “Bill Murray.”
