I'm actually surprised there's that much call for dentistry there in Ames, Iowa. I would have thought people would just let them fall out, then occasionally replace them with dried corn kernels or dentures inherited from deceased kinfolk.
For some reason, everyone on my grandfather's side of the family was cursed with bad teeth, so my grandpap, my great uncle Cas (aka "Quack." don't ask. i have no idea why.), and my great aunt all had dentures. This wasn't so bad where my pap was concerned, but Uncle Cas had this disturbing, semi-regular habit of popping them out with his tongue. So you'd be sitting there talking to him and (*baroing*) suddenly what appeared to be the top half of a human palate would come sliding out of his face. When he got older, he stopped wearing them altogether, which gave him that charming "lips-retreating-from-enemy-fire" sort of look. I'm not sure which was worse.
posted by Kate at 11:42 AM link/comments
