It's all self-inflicted. I thought just brushing two or three times a day was enough, but I didn't take care of my gums. I never, ever want to have to go through that kind of intensive treatment again, and if I follow the directions I've been given (always difficult for me to do, bearing in mind I 'know everything'), I shouldn't need anything like it in future.

After the horror of the first treatment, where the noise of the scraping almost made me pass out with terror, for the last few treatments I've taken my old CD walkman (don't have an iPod). With my glasses off and some favourite music on loud it's the nearest thing to total sensory deprivation short of unconsciousness.

Here are some of the tunes that got me through.

Someone I normally think of as a bit of a wanker, but I love this song.

A wonderfully evocative hippie blues song.

Probably the best pop song ever written.

Something to rock the house - jonmc, I think you'll like this one.

A song that always makes me smile.

Great vocal, great guitar.

I've always thought this was a very sexy song.

Who said you can't make a good pop song using an orchestra. This is one of my all-time favouties. Fabulous vocal, stunning arrangement.

And finally ... probably the greatest piece of cheese ever committed to vinyl.

David Lindley! Nice!

I have to agree about Wichita Lineman. here's my favorite cover.

I am a very big David Lindley fan. I love his reggae stuff. I saw him live when I lived in Denver.

I feel for you - I have just finished six months (and over $4,000) of fortnightly dental appointments to repair the ravages of neglect over a lifetime. I feel much better for it, but it was torture while it lasted.