Toyota Woes Drive People to Dentist

Just this morning, while treating a patient who has been coming to me for the last 12 or so years (I mention this because over this span of time, we have come to know each other quite well), she brought me up to date with her life and how stress was ever present.

Divorced for several years, she is doing the dance of balancing the responsibilities of motherhood and a legal career in these less than care-free times that we are all experiencing. Not to typecast, but she is a Type A personality and has mastered the art of worrying. Over the years, I have made several nightguards for her to protect her teeth from her incessant nocturnal grinding and clenching.

She informed me that on top of everything going on in her life including the hassle of refinancing her mortgage, she had a 2006 Toyota which she was afraid to drive in light of the 8.5 million car recall. Her vehicle was not part of the recall: nevertheless, she tensed when she got behind the steering wheel. She was determined to sell it.

In the meantime, I flippantly suggested that she wear her nightguard while driving for obvious reasons:

1. She would protect her teeth from clenching and grinding while driving

2. In case her Toyota unexpectedly accelerated or her brakes failed, her nightguard would protect her teeth from any sudden impact.

She broke out in a hearty laugh. It was good to see her smile.