Another trip to Riga, and we’re another step closer to finishing this dental saga! This was my third visit. The dentist widened the canals yesterday—something that sounded much worse than it actually was. I didn’t feel a thing.
This time, the kids’ vaccination appointment was also scheduled for yesterday, so we all drove to Riga together.
But the bad news?
There are still two more visits ahead (which means two more six-hour trips). I thought we had agreed on four visits, but now it’s five in total. And I’ve already spent a lot of money!
On top of that, they found three more cavities.
The trip itself was, as always, exhausting—three hours there, the procedure, and three hours back. It’s starting to feel like a never-ending cycle. Two more visits in February, and then I’m done—no more dentist trips for a while!
As for those three small cavities, I managed to book a hygienist appointment and two slots with my doctor all on the same day—April 9th. After that, I’m officially done. No more dentist visits!
Can you believe it’s been five years since my last visit? Back then, they removed my wisdom tooth but didn’t even check the others. And before that, my last proper checkup was ten years ago. No wonder things piled up…
Ilze
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a day in the life of a latvian mom 
Wow! So long between dentists visits isn’t good! But understandable when you have to travel so far. Not something that can be done by Zoom or Skype!
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You’re absolutely right—dental visits aren’t exactly something you can do remotely! Life has its ups and downs, and sometimes things like that just slip by, especially when going through a difficult time. I feeling better now and taking care of myself. It’s never too late to start fresh, right?
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I’m glad you’re getting to the end of it. That will be a good job done! Your car pic made me smile. Janis drives like I do — one hand on the coffee cup and the other on the wheel, lol.
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Haha, glad the car pic made you smile! Jānis has truly mastered the art of coffee-powered driving. 😆 Hopefully, once this is all done, we’ll have more time to just be… no coffee needed 🙂
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Blimey, that is quite a saga. How does the health system work in Latvia? Do you need private insurance or is there a public system or both?
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It really has been a saga! Latvia has a public healthcare system, but it can be slow, and some services aren’t fully covered. Many people, including me, end up paying privately for faster or better care. There’s also private insurance, but it depends on your job and what’s available. I have insurance that covers 50% of dental expenses.
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Hope your teeth saga is over soon. Thanks for the info. Its such a shame that public health care is going down everywhere 🤗
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Well, at least we are free from Russia 🙂
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Amen to that. That’s worth paying for your dental stuff. I assume, the war in Ukraine brings back unwanted memories and fears 😳
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Yes. I choose love. But the fear is powerful since my family was deported to Sibiria in 1940 …
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Oh, wow. That’s awful. Do you know a lot of this part of your families history or was it too painful to talk about? Sorry, if that is a hard thing to talk about. But I think only if we share these things will we be able to recognise love is the way and we are all connected in our humanity. One of my great aunts was deported too, to a prisoner of war camp. She was a nurse.
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I know a lot, hence the fear.
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You’re getting so close and going to an appointment with no pain is a bonus!
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Exactly! It feels like such a relief to be so close to the finish line, and going without pain definitely makes it more manageable. Fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly from here on out!
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Me too!
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Yesterday I was looking at woolens on Etsy.com I saw several people from Latvia selling scarves and housing decor. I found some nice scarves but I just bought one last week. Does your family member sell their woolens or is it just for family?
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That’s so cool! There are so many talented artisans in Latvia, and it’s great to see woolens being sold on Etsy. As for my family, my mom stays busy knitting socks for people in Ukraine. Last year, she made around 60! It’s such a generous effort, and I’m sure those socks bring a lot of warmth and comfort. We mainly keep the woolens for ourselves 🙂
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She’s making a big difference.
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Thank you.
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No pain is wonderful! Three hours is a super long drive for an appointment, Ilze. I had my teeth cleaned yesterday and usually every three months.
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Yes, no pain is such a relief! A three-hour drive does make the whole process feel like a marathon, but at least it’s worth it in the end. Every three months is impressive! I’m sure your teeth must feel amazing after a cleaning.
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You get to hang out with your hubby though, right! My teeth were really bad a few years ago, shame on me and that is why my dentist wants me to get a cleaning every 90 days, it’s worked out well.
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This makes me feel uncomfortable just reading about it
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Sorry about that, Derrick! I didn’t have emotions before all this started!
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Good luck.
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Uff, thanks!
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Good luck! I totally understand the dental saga! No fun, but I hope it ends soon for you guys!
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Thanks! Yeah, it’s definitely not fun, but at least we’re making progress. Hoping it’ll be over soon! 😊
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I am so glad you guys are almost over with it! We need to do the same thing soon. Eeeekk..
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I know, right? It’s been quite a journey, but we’re relieved to be almost done! Wishing you the best when it’s your turn—hope it goes as smoothly as possible! 🤞😊
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