I Wish I Looked After My Teeth Lyrics
Introduction
"I Wish I Looked After My Teeth" is a humorous poem and song written by Pam Ayres. It is a reminder to take care of our teeth and oral hygiene. The lyrics are relatable to everyone who has experienced dental problems or neglecting their teeth. The poem was published in Ayres' book "Oh, I Wish I'd Looked After Me Teeth: And Other Poems" in 1987. The song version was released in 2011 by The Book People.
Verse 1
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth,
And spotted the dangers beneath,
All the toffees I chewed,
And the sweet sticky food,
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.
Verse 2
I wish I'd been that much more willin'
When I had more tooth there than fillin'
To give up gobstoppers,
From respect to me choppers,
And to buy something else with me shillin'.
Verse 3
When I think of the lollies I licked,
And the liquorice allsorts I picked,
Sherbet dabs, big and little,
All that hard peanut brittle,
My conscience gets horribly pricked.
Verse 4
My mother, she told me no end,
"If you got a tooth, you got a friend."
I was young then, and careless,
My toothbrush was hairless,
I never had much time to spend.
Verse 5
Oh, I showed them the toothpaste all right,
I flashed it about late at night,
But up-and-down brushin'
And pokin' and fussin'
Didn't seem worth the time, I could bite.
Verse 6
If I'd known I was paving the way,
To cavities, caps and decay,
The murder of fillin's,
Injections and drillin's,
I'd have thrown all me sherbet away.
Verse 7
So, I lie in the old dentist's chair,
And I gaze up his nose in despair,
And his drill it do whine,
In these molars of mine,
"Two amalgam," he'll say, "for in there."
Verse 8
How I laughed at my mother's false teeth,
As they foamed in the waters beneath.
But now comes the reckonin'
It's me they are beckonin'
Oh, I wish I'd looked after me teeth.
Conclusion
Pam Ayres' "I Wish I Looked After My Teeth" is a humorous and relatable reminder to take care of our teeth. Neglecting oral hygiene can lead to dental problems such as cavities, decay, and fillings. The poem/song encourages us to avoid sticky and sugary foods, brush and floss regularly, and visit the dentist for check-ups. It is never too late to start taking care of our teeth, and we can avoid the regret of not doing so by following a proper dental care routine.
