"Some people have pets; I have teeth." (And books)

Generally I take comfort from the Dalai Lama's advice-- 'Either there's a solution to your problem or there isn't. If there is, no need to worry about your problem. And if there isn't, there's nothing to be done, so need to worry either.' But not when bits fall off my teeth and they start to ache. There's a cure for that, yes indeed, but it will cost money and involve a lot of pain before and after. Dental bills are the one time a Canadian knows what it's like to be American, because even our health plans don't cover 100% of dental work. Damn those 19th century doctors who wanted to make such a big deal about teeth-pullers not being **gentlemen** like themselves, which I'm told is why dentists' services weren't considered medical and hence weren't admitted to universal medical coverage when it finally became available.
( To happier matters )