Flowers from….

I received this marvelous bouquet from, are you ready for this, my dentist.  After hours of surgery and weeks of soft diet they were the bright spot...

Dental vacation at Quechan Casino Resort

When visiting the dentist in Algodones, Mexico consider staying at the nearby Quechan Casino Resort just across the border.  Not being a gambler lead me...

Going to Mexico

If you live close enough to the border consider going to the dentist in Mexico where you can often save a bundle...

Survived Mexico

Border crossing into Algodones Mexico

Arrived in Algodones early and walked about. Everything is so colorful and ornate.

Courtyard to hang out in

Dentist removed stitches and ground the lower dentures which brought immediate relief. Done in 30 minutes and now I shouldn’t have to go back for at least 5-6 months for possible realignment.

One of many carved benches in the courtyard

Went to lunch and tried to chew a chili rellenos. Not. Back to beans and rice.

Outside dinning

Got in line to cross the border and it took longer to leave Mexico than to visit the dentist.

The line to leave was over two blocks long

It will be a while before I’m chewing a good steak. So tonight I’m going to try spaghetti.

Once more to Mexico

Today the stitches come out and hopefully the pain goes away. I’d really like to start eating solid food again.

New Teeth

Monday Berta drove me to Algodones Mexico to the dentist. On the way, we stopped for the big breakfast I’d been told to eat. Friends own the Cactus Café in Vicksburg, AZ and they filled me up. The last meal I’d chew for about a week.

Upon arriving at the dentist I was led through several sidewalk stalls to another office a couple blocks away for x-rays. I was very impressed with the new technology. A small wand placed against the gums and a picture of my teeth showed up on a computer screen. Ten minutes and $60 later I walked out with a page of teeth pictures to find my way back to Dr. Castro’s office.

Next I spent five hours in a very tiny room as Dr. Marie and her assistant removed 18 teeth. They were so gentle and I was so numb. I never felt a thing. After stitching me up, the dentures were put in and after a little grinding I have a new smile.

Picked up medications--antibiotic and pain pills for only $13--then waited in line about 20 minutes to cross the border back to the USA. On the three hour drive home, the Novocain wore off and I started to hurt so took a pain pill.

Yesterday and today I was very sore. Trying to eat a little something reularly—ensure, smoothie, soup, pudding, jello, yogurt, oatmeal. Yet I’m not in too terrible pain, and it’s just going to get better.

I return to Mexico next Tuesday to have the stitches removed. Then one more trip in five to six months for alignment, if needed. Not bad. Three trips, $1300. I’ll know in a week or two how it all works out.

And I look forward to more beautiful smiling now that Obama will be President. YEA!!!

Off to Mexico

Wish I could say it’s for fun. Instead, it’s the dentist office again. Tomorrow they pull what’s left of 18 teeth and put in dentures. I’m told I’ll be in pain for a week, soft food and liquid diet. Yet I’m also told I’ll have a beautiful smile and will soon be able to chew again. It’s only a week.

Don’t forget to VOTE! I’m getting to the poles even if I have to crawl.

Ohhhh Mexico....

Welcome to the dentist's office

Colorful Mexico

My dear friend Berta drove three hours taking me to her dentist, Dr. Virginia Castro, in Algodones Mexico today. It’s a beautiful drive through the desert. We arrived about 30 minutes early so had an early lunch. It was good to eat Mexican in Mexico, even a border town. Went back to the dentist’s office and waited about an hour in the courtyard chatting with other patients. Dr. Maria took impressions and asked me to return in an hour for adjustments. We took a walk and admired some magnificent rugs hand woven in Oaxaca, jewelry, metal framed mirrors, jewelry, ceramics, and jewelry. Went back to the dentist’s office and waited about an hour in the courtyard chatting with other patients. A slight adjustment was made in the impressions and I return next Monday for teeth extraction and dentures put in. I’m told I’ll be in pain for a week and will lose weight due to the soft and liquid diet. Yet I can look forward to chewing again.

The waiting room