stickmaker | Parental Neglect

When I was in my teens my jaw started popping when I chewed. There was some discomfort associated with this and occasionally minor twinges of pain. At family meals my parents and sister would complain about the noise and insist that I stop making it. My explanations that I had no control over the situation were ignored.

Years later, a dental X-Ray showed that both jaw hinges were severely deteriorated.

I don't know that early diagnosis and treatment would have reduced the damage. But I sure wish I'd had the opportunity to find out.