I’m milking this “16 years” thing for all its worth. The hygienist was professional, not too chatty, and asked me when I last saw a hygienist. When I said “probably 1988″ she had to concede that well, OK maybe I did take good care of my teeth in general, even if I last spoke to a dentist before bottle brushes and flossing were the intended norm.

It was tricky concealing my scorn when asked how I flossed. For one thing, flossing was unheard of when I was taught how to brush my teeth at school, and another: there are gaps big enough for a toothbrush between most of my teeth. But I’ve been given a bottle brush and a floss thingy, and told that I can get boxes of these toys at the surgery. (other flossing products are available. other suppliers may offer the same or similar products at various prices.)

I can’t help thinking it’s just yay much more landfill though.