Living with dentures

Ben Contreras

WE have many regrets in life. One of it would likely to come when we’ve come of age. And that is to cope with dentures.
The few minutes I spent with my dentist were not just about the usual fear of the whirring sound of the dental instrument. It was also the sadness I felt while fitting the dentures. It gave me a sense of regret for not taking good care of my teeth. It’s not going to be the same again. Eating will take another dimension, the taste that is no longer natural.
Had I have a few teeth left to chew food normally, I would have opted to remain toothless in between (pangag). Now I understand why a friend complains a lot about the food being too hard to eat. His dentures do not have the strength to chew food normally. I actually experienced that.
But it was a decision I had to make. For one, I would be one of my niece’s wedding “ninongs.” She doesn’t want me to get caught on camera smiling without complete teeth. Another is that, my two front teeth, if not remedied, would soon be destroyed to their roots. If these two go, well, goodbye good food. Thus, I decided to have them jacketed.
The kids at the dental clinic were aplenty. It was not difficult to tell them, “Hey, you should take good care of your teeth and don’t be like us, or else, you’re going to miss a lot of goodies in this world.”
When I was a teenager, I remember always bringing candies to a nephew’s first born (a boy). When the boy grew up, I saw his teeth and I felt guilt inside me.
Parents sometimes show their love by giving so much candies or sweets to their children, short of pampering them. But that was long ago. Parents today are more conscious of seeing healthy teeth of their children. Good business for our dentists.
Whoever reads me this time please be reminded of the importance of healthy teeth.
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Somewhere in Benguet and other areas, concern has been raised over the risk of landslides that may directly hit the school buildings near the mountain side.
Similarly, we also have here school building/s constructed on a leveled down hill exposing these buildings to possible landslides. I believe there has been a precedent on this.
Such environmental risk is a concern of the Mines and Geoscience Bureau and Environmental Management Bureau, both have supervisory responsibility over a project of this sort.
Ripapping and planting of trees were two recommendations forwarded to avoid possible disaster. I hope this is being done here. Let this be a reminder to concerned people and agencies.
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A question was asked of me: “Are you the White Crow, Ben?”
No, I am not the White Crow. I am just a White Crow who believes in honest governance, transparent and with accountability. A White Crow can be anybody for as long as he or she believes in this advocacy.
There are people who see a glimmer of hope in this advocacy as I already mentioned in my previous column. On Saturday, Bro. Ruperto Chua Collantes gave me some White Crow stickers and two reams of White Crow flyers in support of this advocacy. For me, he is now a White Crow. Thank you, Brother.