I have jowls. Proud jowls that have with me, parented two fine boys, worked for decades, paid taxes. I neither need nor want anyone dissing my jowls.
In a couple decades she will have jowls too.

Hi cmama,

Next time she plays the game of "jowls" ...

... give her, in return, some "Ggr-r-r-o-o-w-w-l-l-l"s, O.K.?

o j

Of course I have jowls. I am overweight and almost 70.

I am sorry to say that I would not have help my tongue. My mouth often moves faster than my mind knows how to stop it. You, as a woman can say things that men cannot say, so I would have to be quick and creative.

My dentist is male, if he had said something similar as yours did, I might have either said something about bushy eyebrows or bad breath. And...what can be done about that!

I think she was REALLY rude! and I would have told her so.

None of her business.

Moni

I'm confused, was she suggested something she could do within her own profession that she thought would appeal to you, change your appearance?

If that was an off the wall comment just about your appearance in general and it had been me in your chair, I'd like to think I would have had the composure to tell her she'd offended me, or at least asked what her point was.

Honestly that would bother me. I don't like unsolicited observations like that!

But to be fair, there are apparently some dental techniques that can help with jowls. Obviously it's far more tactful to wait for the patient to voice a concern, but maybe most patients don't realize that a dentist may be able to help.

That and it seems most doctors these days are pushing the cosmetic procedures as there's a lot of money in it since insurance isn't usually involved. My OB/GYN offers cosmetic botox for facial wrinkles :) I saw a pamphlet in her office.

Hi again cmama,

Them ain't "jowls" ...

... just companions (sidekicks?) of a jawbone ... in relaxing mode!

o j

I'd be looking for a new dentist. If she in fact offers some service for jowls then she should have addressed it with you=not her hygienist while you were present. Not very professional.
Satine

Seems as if all your medical professionals are being tacky to you. First, your doctor says you're elderly, now your dentist says you have jowls.

I find that bizarre that you have visited two crass, insensitive doctors!

Does she moonlight as a plastic surgeon?

My mirror has been saying that for several years. DH's, too.

Nowadays all sorts of doctors and dentists are getting into the 'vanity trade' with plastic surgeries. I know a semi-retired cardiologist who now sidelines with face lifts!

Hi again chisue,

How, pray tell ... does one carry our a facelift ... on a heart??

o j

I don't think it is bizarre. I think some of us catch these things when we hear them LOL.

Kind of like my splayed foot, pupils not centered in my eyes (which I never noticed before but now I cannot NOT see it), my "age" spots on my face (which prompted a lengthy lecture from me which included calling the intern Doogie Howser LOLOLOL).

Sometimes things are said in passing, but I hear it. OH do I hear it LOLOL!

My last dentist visit discovered a small pit cavity. I have soft teeth with no enamel (birth defect) so this is not all that unusual for me. Dentist was being a bit of a jerk, basically saying a person of my age having a cavity??? (Um, I am 42. A person of my age??). Love the hygienist there, and the dentist does good work but he is an ass.

Dances.

My friends dr. asked her the other day "Have you read 50 shades of gray"? I find that totally out of line and so did she. As for your dentist asking that impertinent question, I would have answered what my Mom taught me "did you enjoy saying that because I didn't enjoy hearing it". That puts it right back on the person who said it.

I googled it and apparently, there is something called "facelift dentures" which can help eliminate jowls and wrinkles. But since she complimented you on your teeth, that would not apply in your case. So she must just be a rude person and I'd find another dentist.

I think maybe we all need to lighten up a bit. I have jowls which I see very time I look in a mirror. My mother had them and I realized I was getting old when I first saw mine.

My chiropractor once said in response to my complaining of aches and pains, "Let's face it. You are getting old." I was not the least bit hurt by what he said because I know it's true.

Nothing new about finding your body has changed its shape with age.

I seriously think that your dentist saying what she did should not prompt you to look for another dentist or feel indignate about her remark.

Do you suppose we can start calling jowls something, sort of in the vein of "love handles" of the face?

"Love handles of the face" ...

... now ... that has a certain ring to it!

Those things regarding which we have little room to maneuver ...

... we may as well use as the basis for some merriment.

Less stress/awful than getting all bent out of shape over.

ole joyful

When I was young I used to laugh at the photos of my Czech ancestors, all of whom had round faces and notable jowls. I thought they looked like bull dogs. Now I have them. The German side of my family has long thin faces with no jowls.

On a related note, I like the word "jowls"! Fun word!

I started using this Neutrogena Anti-Wrinkle Deep Wrinkle Serum just before Christmas and I could see a difference in 2-3 days. After a week I saw a significant difference. The deep smile lines from nose to mouth not so deep now. The jowls tighter. Recommended use every other day at first.

I see L'Oreal is advertising this now and it has good reviews.

also use L'Oreal Youth Code.

Here is a link that might be useful: L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Double Lifting Intense Re-Tightening Gel & Anti-Wrinkle Treatment

Dorothy, you look beautiful!
I love L'Oreal products and I will have to try this. Thanks for the info.

That is pretty dadgum insensitive of your dentist, I think. I don't think I have jowls as much as I have wrinkles. I tell people I look like I am melting.

Wouldn't that melt your heart?

o j