clinical pearly whites

it's time for another public service announcement.

*warning! this post may contain subject matter offensive to those who turn up their noses at dirty diapers. scroll away! scroll away!*

first i shall begin with an anecdote from work.

the surgeon was concerned about the baby's loose stools. considering that he'd been on intravenous antibiotics for days on end, this didn't surprise the rest of us, but he wouldn't let it go.

the baby grinned, and clapped his hands, drool pouring from his mouth, unfazed by the supposedly torrential output from his other end. (if you're drooling, you ain't dehydrated. got it?) the surgeon noticed the drool. "is he teething?" "yes, i think so," said mom.

the surgical attending then looked at me and asked, "that can cause diarrhea, right?"

stifled snorts and chortles of laughter could be heard from my residents and the nurse. i tried hard to keep a straight face, but i think i reflexively shook my head a little. after a pause, "no," was all i could get out without laughing.

teething does not cause illness, that's for sure.

and as for discomfort, let me ask you something. do you remember feeling your permanent teeth come in? how about your wisdom teeth?

i'm just saying.