Connie Blossoms

What an enjoyable moment we shared with Connie today! Her drive to Escanaba was uneventful, and she told us that she was more relaxed today and excited to get her treatment completed. Is agoraphobia conquered? No, not likely, but today another battle has been won.


Connie's dental restorations from her last appointment were comfortable, and she has been taking good care of everything that was done for her. She is learning to smile again . . . it's a journey.


Today, we completed removing all the decay from her teeth - saving and rejuvenating her smile! Connie's confidence has been boosted. All that we take for granted, like the simple ability to smile easily, has now been restored. Connie is smiling brightly.




Connie, thanks for the smile. Thanks for the tears. Thanks for the bear hugs!



Most importantly, thanks for reminding us why we do what we do in the dental office. Thanks for allowing us to use our God given talents for what He intended.



See Connie's before photos and story at: http://dentalnation.blogspot.com/2011/03/everybody-has-something.html

Progress Means More Than Teeth

Letter from Connie . . .

Hello Dr. Jacobs, You're an extraordinary man who probably doesn't realize how many people you touch. Thank you for inspiring me...and for taking my case too!

….while mired in the perpetual cycling of this disorder I’d often wonder about why this happened to me and how did I manage such blatant disregard for my smile, etceteras...

I have just read Dr. Jacobs’ blog. Beautiful. Heavy. Humbling. Thank you!

My smile has become collateral damage and as awful as it is debilitating to exist with a disorder such as agoraphobia, I would take it on again because I have come away with more than I started. Dr. Jacobs’ blog has given me solace in re-appreciating that life is a journey and it is time to buckle up and appreciate every aspect of this "stop and go" ride.

I had become a bit jaded regarding life, and how much longer could I get away with telling my son and daughter that people are good and the world’s great, when I wasn’t so sure. Why did I keep making excuses for misguided strangers as well as my very own family?.."they just don't understand" or "they have no experience with this issue." That perception is a lonely place to be.

Agoraphobics suffer in silence and will endure outrageous treatment from the world because, after all, simply reaching the destination was a battle. Avoidance is often mistaken for relief or control. Can you imagine compounding the burden with the fact that you must keep your mouth closed to avoid the obvious? In our culture, our smile conveys so many different messages, and when you can’t utilize your mouth…well, communication is next on the list of things to avoid. Brutal!

An already "fragile" person will internalize the negativity, and tah-dah…perpetual cycling! Communication is essential to getting a sensible handle over the crippling effects of agoraphobia. It took me years of avoidance/neglect, and the destruction of the smile I had been so proud to flash. Recognizing there is something wrong is critical for progress. Regardless of which side of the spectrum you think you are, many would benefit by demonstrating compassion for each another.

My feeling is that I hit the jackpot when I drove the hour and a half (one-way [can anyone say agoraphobia]) to see the Jacobs Smile Center. Honestly, I was a bit skeptical in the beginning. I was somewhat discombobulated because everyone there is so nice. Turns out, they’re even better than that! They’re people who have empathy. Not sympathy (not good), EMPATHY (good). This friends, is why I wouldn't change a thing. Good, caring people do exist and the world itself is inherently good too!

If you’re reading this, then you had to have read the original blog…awe inspiring altruism (good) -Connie

Agoraphobia is not a final "sentence". Connie's second appointment was constructive and successful. Below is a photo taken before we started today, showing the beginnings of a beautiful, confident smile. I was able to share with Connie that not only had she benefitted from the time we spent together dentally, but that my friend who also experienced agoraphobia had been enriched to know she helped Connie.




Everyone benefits when we take the time to share our human feelings and talents with each other. Who would have known that the silent sufferings of one person could serve to begin unlocking the chains that bind another. Actually, silence would have probably gone nowhere. For it is in the sharing that all are enriched - the patient, the dentist and his wife, the dental assistant, the agoraphobic friend. It's true: As you sow, so shall you reap!






Today, we repaired Connie's other three upper front teeth and all of the teeth on her right side. Connie should be smiling well these next few days! Progress with teeth . . . but oh, so much more!

Everybody Has Something

My wife Paula reassured our new patient, "everyone has something." Our new patient Connie presented last week, and was able to share with us that she had difficulty going to the dentist because of her agoraphobia. Her travels from a neighboring town and venturing into a new environment was difficult, but she knew that something had to be done about her teeth.



"Some people are afraid of heights, others worry about getting cancer or losing a loved one. You just happen to have difficulty with new situations, people, and traveling to unfamiliar places." Paula explained to Connie. "Everyone has something, whether you realize it or not."



Connie came for her first treatment appointment today, and did well. She had three root canals done, laser gum removal to get at her decay under the gums, and four teeth built up so they are white and shiny again.



Connie shared with us that she has been ashamed of her smile and of how she has let this go so long. She told us that she doesn't even kiss her husband anymore because she won't let him get that close to her decayed smile. A few short years ago, she had a beautiful smile and felt so much better about herself, but her agoraphobia kept her from maintaining her teeth. They had suffered greatly, as you can see by her before photo.



Connie asked that I share her story with others, and that she is continuing to make progress, both with her agoraphobia and also with her dental treatment. She did great today! At her request, I took this photo so she can have it as a record of her progress and so that it may serve as an inspiration to others. Our ability to take care of Connie is mostly because of our understanding of agoraphobia. Someone who is very close to me has struggled with agoraphobia for years. Few people know this, and fewer understand that someone's hardship can be a comfort to others.



Dear Friend;
It is because of your struggles and sharing your experiences with agoraphobia that I have been able to care for this precious young woman Connie. Without your help and without your suffering, I could never have understood what she was going through or what I could do to improve the quality of her life. You must know that I appreciate you so much and that Connie's life will be enriched more than you can know. Thank You!
God Bless You - Paul

Caries, Decay, Cavities, Acid Erosion

Caries and acid erosion can be seen between these two teeth below:

I recently cared for a young woman who has had recurrent episodes of decay (caries) between her back teeth. She's a soda drinker, and admits that she isn't flossing enough. When I began to remove the decay from between her teeth, I saw what is in the image above. I showed the patient this area, and she remarked that she "would really start flossing and stop drinking pop."

I thought that if the image was helpful for her, perhaps others would benefit by seeing the damage caused by acid attack between teeth. These areas are usually invisible to the patient, and even to the dentist without an x-ray.

The photo is of the area between two teeth. The caries is in it's initial state, as it doesn't show a hole between the teeth yet. Decalcification occurs first, which is the whiter area in the photo. This is the outer layer of the enamel of the tooth that has been thinned or weekened. The next layer of the tooth as you proceed deeper is the dentin. The tooth on the right has begun to have caries form in the dentinal layer, while the tooth on the left has progressed much farther. This second layer of the tooth is much softer than the enamel, and decays and washes out much faster, even traveling laterally undermining sound enamel.

Acid erosion from lack of flossing or from too much soda or sports drinks can cause destruction in a tooth from the inside out. Seeing is believing in this case.