The Grime of Ms. Jane Brody

Her latest:

"Having spent much of my childhood and far too many adult hours in a dentist's office getting cavities filled and crowns and bridges installed, I was determined that my sons would enjoy a better fate. They were off to a good start given that our city water was now fluoridated, a benefit missed by nearly everyone my age who did not live in an area where the water supply was naturally fluoridated. In addition to giving them unfiltered tap water, I gave them juices and powdered milk reconstituted with city water. It also helped that I had read an article by a pediatric dentist admonishing parents to clean their babies' gums daily with gauze and to take their toddlers to the dentist for the first time at or before the age of 2. Now, however, pediatric dentists suggest an even earlier first visit. By 2, some poor oral habits and neglect can be all too well established, and harder to reverse than if the right steps had been taken earlier - say, between the ages of 6 months and 1 year."

Oh wow, it seems Brody has admitted the impossible: she screwed up the "personal health" of her two sons. If she'd only taken them to the dentist, say, around the age boys are when they're circumcised, maybe they wouldn't be the sickly, toothless creatures they are today.

(Disclaimer: I'm sure Brody's sons have lovely teeth.)