1956 - The first and only time I went to the dentist in Germany. Maybe I should say "dentist". They sure were a lot

1956 - The first and only time I went to the dentist in Germany. Maybe I should say "dentist". They sure were a lot different back then. (see description) I think my teeth must have been growing in crooked because my father took to me to the dentist in Bayreuth. I remember the man telling him that if those teeth didn't come out the permanent ones would grow in crooked and I'd be deformed or something for the rest of my life.

He actually used pliers. I guess they weren't the kind of pliers you use for pulling nails, but I knew a pair of pliers when I saw them! No novocaine. My father stood behind me and comfortingly put his hands on my shoulders while the man began twisting left and right and pushing down and pulling up. Eventually he got both teeth out.

My father used to love to tell story about how I never made a sound and the lovely shade of green I turned. :-/ You know what? It never occurred to me until just now, but I wonder if my father didn't get just a little bit pale himself...

Another little tidbit - Everyone brushed their teeth once a week, on Saturday, when you took your bath.