Suzanne Rust (7:35)

That was Alexis Trucy. Alexis's dental woes didn't end with surgery, but they thanked Dr. Biermann every day for his service. Alexis currently lives and works in Amsterdam, recording podcasts and videos for a Dutch design consulting firm, uns. So when Jaws came out, it terrorized legions of children, myself included. And my lifelong phobia number one, sharks was born at around the same time I had to have a tooth pulled. Now, despite what seemed like the right dose of novocaine, mid pull, I was aware of every wiggle, every tug. There were screams, there were tears. And phobia number two was born. The dentist. And honestly, to this day, I'm not sure which one affects my life more. Shania Russell told our next story at her high school, Bronx Academy of Letters in New York City. Here's Shania live at the mom.

Alexis Trucy (8:30)

So, like most traumatic experiences, it started at the dentist. It was a regular checkup for me and my brother. And when they showed us the X ray, they told us that we both had our wisdom teeth coming in. My brother's had his showing and pushing through his gums, and mine were, like, fine, but there. So they told us he needed to set an appointment and I would need to come in eventually after. So, like, fast forward a couple months, we forgot. And my brother was doing fine. He didn't notice his at all. He seemed fine, but I was starting to feel mine, and it was bothering me, but I kept looking at him and he was doing fine. So I ignored it. I started, like, eating on a different side and shifting how I closed my mouth. And I figured, you know, as long as he's good, I'm good. But eventually it got to the point where I couldn't eat or, like, my mouth was really uncomfortable. So we had to set the date. So we went in, we were in the waiting room. We filled out the paperwork, we took the X ray, and then I found I had, like, a couple hours in the waiting room because it was so full. So I took out my phone and googled some stuff, which was a terrible idea. And I read a bunch of horror stories about how people woke up in the middle screaming with blood coming out of their mouth and, like, they can't eat anymore. They lost all their teeth. They can't feel their mouth. And I was like, this is great. This is wonderful. And so they called me in, they showed me the X ray. They told me I could have two out today. They wouldn't put me under, which was a relief because I didn't want to wake up screaming or anything. And so I thought, let me ask the dentist. She'll reassure me. She'll tell me I'll be fine. They do this every day. So I was like, are there any risks? And she was like, oh, yeah, of course. She told me that when she had her wisdom teeth out. She just lost all feeling in the right side of her mouth. But it's perfectly fine. She's living with it. And she was, she was like super casual about it, acting like it was no big deal and I was having a panic attack in my seat. So she sent me back out and was like, we'll call your name when we're ready. So when they sent me back out, I went to the bathroom and I looked around for a vent. It was not a vent. So I was like, I guess I have to do this. And I went back out. They called me in. So they numbed my mouth and they started the work. I put headphones in, pretended it wasn't happening. It seemed fine for a bit and then I heard someone say oh no and I had a heart attack. Turns out they broke a tooth and so they had to pull out all the pieces. But in the end everything was fine. It went well. I can still feel in my mouth and I'd like to say that I learned to stop googling things or like I'll be productive and set the date to take out the other two teeth. But I have not and I'm planning to put it off for as long as possible.

Suzanne Rust (11:53)

That was Shania Russell. Shania is a Bronx born writer whose love of storytelling emerged somewhere between the Very Hungry Caterpillar and Twilight. Since then, that passion has evolved from book reports and fan fiction to filmmaking and journalism. She is currently writing about all things pop culture over at Entertainment Weekly. Both of the stories you just heard came from the Moths Education Program. If you're a young person that's inspired to tell a story or know of someone who might be, the Moths Education Program has a ton of programs and guidance that help high school and college age students tell their own story, whether that's up on stage in their college application essay or just with their peers. To find out more, go to themoth.org eduardo after the break. You guessed it, another story about teeth. Back in a moment.

Dermalogica Advertiser (12:44)

This summer, Instacart is bringing back your favorites from 1999. With prices from 1999. That means 90s prices on juice pouches that ought to be respected, 90s prices on box Mac and cheese and 90s prices on ham, cheese and cracker lunches. Enjoy all those throwbacks and more at throwback prices only through Instacart. $4.72 maximum discount per $10 of eligible items. Limit one offer per order expires 95 while supplies last discount based on CPI comparison.

Quintessential Movie Quote (13:15)

Savor every last drop of summer with Starbucks. From bold refreshers to rich cold brews, the sunniest season only gets better with a handcrafted ice beverage in your hand. Available for a limited time. Your summer favorites are ready at Starbucks.

Suzanne Rust (13:32)

Welcome back. Our final story is a favorite from the archive by Anaga Mahajan. She told this at a New York City Grand Slam where the theme of the night was toil and trouble. Here's Anika live at the Mop.

Shania Russell (13:50)

Baby Shak Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo Baby shark Dudu I was riding my bicycle having a great day. Sha doo doo doo doo doo. Oh no, what is that? And do do do do Fat shit. I think I broke my tooth. That was three weeks ago. My teeth are still broken. Right on time for Halloween, but I apologize if I slur a little bit or spit on some of you in the front row. Now. It was a Friday. I had wrapped up work early and was on my way to yoga. And for some weird reason, this kid's song Baby Shark was stuck in my head and I was too focused on my singing while riding that I didn't see the little bump on the road and I lost all control of my bike and came crashing down face first and hit my teeth on the curb. I could hear, I could literally hear my tooth enamel breaking and there was a buzz in my head. I somehow crawled to the sidewalk and felt a gush of blood in my mouth, and as I spat it out, a couple of pieces of what used to be my chunky Bugs Bunny teeth fell out. I quickly called my husband Arnab and let him know he needs to pick me up at the Greyhound station corner in downtown. While I waited for him, the pain started to intensify and I was quickly in tears. But through those teary eyes, I saw this man in a fluorescent vest walk towards me with a couple of hand towels with him. He offered them to me and I hesitated to accept just because I didn't want to stay in them. But he said he saw me fall and he was worried and he confirmed that those were washed and clean and insisted I take them. Now. I was already crying, but that made me really emotional, so I grabbed one of them. He checked if somebody was coming to get me and waited till my husband pulled over and left as gently as he had arrived. Arnab took my bike, mounted it on our car, and helped me inside. Once inside, you know, almost out of habit, I pulled the sun visor thing down and moved that mirror flap aside and there it was. Through all the blood, I could see three of my front teeth were shattered at the bottom and my gums were pushed inside. Now, having the visual, it was all just too gruesome and too real. I was really shaking and bawling loudly. Arnab tried to calm me down, and he said, it's all going to be okay. And I remember thinking how sweet he is and how he doesn't deserve a wife with broken teeth. Clearly, I needed medical help, but we were not sure how to get. Arnab and I have been in the US for eight years. We've steadily built a good life for ourselves here, but luckily we've kept away from the hospitals and the medical health care system overall. So Arnab had to Google what do you do when you are in a bike accident? And how the ERs work. So we were really relying on the help and support of the ER staff to get us through this. They had something else in mind. As we pulled into the lobby, the ER nurse sleepily asked, who's the patient? Like all the crying and the blood through my mouth were not clues enough. Work with us here, Sherlock, I thought. Then another nurse who was taking my vitals kept talking over me with her friend about where to find best Slurpees in town. I mean, I'm all for good Slurpees, but not. I'm like, this is not the most serious case you have handled this day, even, but for us, it is as serious as it gets. And all we were hoping for some assurance, compassion, and perhaps some painkillers. I did not get any for at least two hours. We were sent from one nurse to another to another. Had to wait two more hours to get some tests done. And all this while, my wound was not even dressed. I was still using that same towel to kind of clean the blood off my mouth. After five long hours, the doctor arrived and let me know that I had a fracture in the gums, and then casually exclaimed, I don't know how you're bearing this pain so bravely. Duh. By this point, I was so tired I couldn't even roll my eyes at her. Eventually, I got some heavy painkillers and we were discharged. But months of dental surgeries and reconstruction is still ahead of us. But in those moments of pain and waiting, both Arnab and I felt helpless, almost lost. I was thinking, is it the system or is it the people? Or is it both? Or is this how things work around here? We just don't know because this is not our home country. Or is this our home? While I was tripping on all these thoughts under the influence of painkillers. I felt the towel in my hand and it reminded me of the kindness of this one man and for some reason, painkillers. I felt in that moment that this towel had given me the strength and his kindness had given me the strength to endure all the pain and get through this ordeal. So I guess all I'm trying to say is that there are moments which make you feel helpless, unwelcome even. But for every person, process or even administration that makes you feel that way, there will always be that one person who extends that metaphorical towel of welcome, compassion, empathy and comfort and that makes you believe it's all worthwhile and this can be home. This indeed is home. And I will soon be back on my bike and I will be singing Baby Shark doo doo doo doo doo doo Baby shark doo doo. Thank you.

Suzanne Rust (20:14)

That was Anika Mahajan Anika was born and raised in a small town in India and loves telling stories about growing up there in the 90s. She's a technical Program Manager at Google and enjoys hiking and hosting friends for board games. She lives in California with her husband, 4 year old child Augie and their Akita dog, Radley. That's it for this episode. From our mouths to yours. We hope that all your dental visits are as smooth and patient painless as possible.

Anika Mahajan (20:42)

Suzanne Rast is the Moth's Senior Curatorial Producer and one of the hosts of the Moth Radio Hour. In addition to finding new voices and fresh stories for the Moth Stage, Suzanne creates playlists and helps curate special storytelling events. Anaga Mahajan's story was coached by Jennifer Hickson. Special thanks to the Moth Edu team and instructors for their coaching of Alex Trucy and Shania Russell's stories. This episode of the Moth Podcast was produced by Sarah Austin, Janess, Sarah Jane Johnson and me, Mark Salinger. The rest of the Moth leadership team includes Sarah Haberman, Christina Norman, Jennifer Hickson, Kate Tellers, Marina Clouche, Suzanne Rust and Patricia Urenia. The Moth Podcast is presented by Odysee. Special thanks to their Executive producer Leah Rhys Dennis. All Moth stories are true as remembered by their storytellers. For more about our podcast, information on pitching your own story and everything else, go to our website themoth.org.