Read this letter about a grumpy mother’s dental health and tell us your take on it

My dearest daughter,

There is something bothering me about my dental health which I can’t bottled any longer as your mother because I cherish you so much.

-You can see I’m getting old and my teeth are not the way they used to be- sparkling white with fresh breath, now I often have some unpleasant odour coming out of my mouth. I beg you to please be patient with me, and for the sake of our union, try to understand what I’m going through, don’t be covering your nose when you sit close to me.

If when I brush my teeth, blood comes out of my gums, please don’t be irritated, it is because my teeth are no longer as healthy as they used to be again, remember when I was helping you brush your teeth when new ones were about to come out, that your gum became swollen and brushing became difficult and you also bled in pain.

When I don’t want to brush my teeth, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to brush your teeth when you were just a little girl?Remember my relationship with you as your mother and remain my good daugther

If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times especially about my teeth wearing down and sensitive, don’t interrupt to say: “Mother, You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

Dear baby-girl, food becomes tasteless in my mouth and I lose appetite, help me explain to my grandchildren (your children) that It’s not that their grand mother doesn’t want to eat pizza and cakes and have fun with them as much as they want but I am restricted by my old age most times.

Whenever I complain to you that my denture is falling out my mouth and I refuse to wear it again, please try and understand me that I am not doing it deliberately, the dentist also said that aged people often have problems with stability of their artificial teeth. Remember many a times in the past that your school sandals fell from your legs on the way and I went back to pick them up for you and cared for you as my little queen.

If I can’t meet up with the afternoon dental appointment, try and understand me, I prefer early morning appointment with the dentist and try as much as possible to avoid unnecessary delays at the clinic. Remember when I used to take you to take you to watch father Xmas, I would get there early, I would stand by you and we would always leave on time to catch up with some other friends

When you see how fearful I am when it comes to visiting a dentist in their clinics, give me the time to prepare myself psychologically and don’t look at me that way … remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like table manners and eating etiquette, getting dressed properly, combing your hair ,brushing your teeth and dealing with life’s issues every day until you get used to it… the day you see I’m getting old and afraid of keeping a date with the dentist, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through.

If I occasionally forget what the dentist recommends, give me time to remember and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that it is easier to train a child than to correct an adult. I am not doing it intentionally

If I insist that the cost of treatment the dentists plan to give me is too high, please try and feel my concern for your spending. Remember how I used to bargain before I buy anything for you including your first hair kit and if you have any friend in government, let them make treatment for aged people free, so that those whose children can’t afford dental care for their parents can benefit from that

I don’t mind if you can arrange a home service care for me. I heard there is now mobile dental clinics for old patients. Remember when I arranged for your school bus to be picking you at home as against trekking and running after buses?

And when my old, weak and tired teeth don’t let me eat as quickly as before or eat big meat and fish you give me to eat, give me your time and encourage me the same way that I offered mine to you when you first ate. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you … my darling daughter.