BY DAWN REED

It was my first rodeo.

A few years ago, I needed gum grafts. Dr. Leslie Horne and Beaumont Periodontics provided me with everything I needed to have a successful surgery. After the initial visit, a black folder filled with important information was placed in my hands. There were guidelines for everything: what to do before the oral surgery, right after, and days and weeks later. Dr. Horne wasn’t just being bossy. She knew that if I followed her instructions, everything would go well. And, of course, that’s what I wanted, too.

But I skimmed the folder filled with important information. I selected what I felt was truly crucial. I picked up on the words “as you feel comfortable” on one of the pages. That became my mindset. Naturally, they told me what I should and shouldn’t eat while my mouth was healing. Focused on the “as you feel comfortable” clause, I ate what I wanted. Because I felt comfortable. The folder directed me to be careful as my gums healed. I only tried slightly and licked out my stitches within 24 hours. I am a doofus.