Chapter 19: My Dentist Hates Me – Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

Jenny Lawson visits the dentist believing she has never had a cavity, only to be told she has two. Her previous dentist had explained that her teeth-grinding habit (linked to anxiety) wore down cavities before they formed, but this time the cavities “won.” Jenny blames Victor for telling her to stop grinding. Despite the dentist’s assurance that the fillings are routine, Jenny’s anxiety spikes because she requires Xanax for dental work. Victor is present, having finished his own cleaning.

Jenny tries to explain her fear by recounting a disastrous wisdom tooth extraction years earlier: after the surgery, she vomited from the drugs, left a bizarre voicemail about leprechauns, and confused a neighbor’s package delivery with an intruder. While the dentist prepares his tools, Jenny nervously rambles about wanting a jar of strangers’ teeth and burying extracted teeth to confuse future archaeologists. She then asks if the dentist has seen “the balls in my mouth,” referring to torus mandibularis – benign jawbone growths her hygienist had pointed out during X-rays. The dentist examines them with mild interest, and Jenny jokes that the only thing she ever needs removed from her mouth is feet (meaning foot-in-mouth syndrome). Victor pays quickly, and Jenny concludes that she and the dentist are now bonded by the shared knowledge of her mouth balls, making future visits less stressful.

Key Events

Jenny proudly states she has never had a cavity, then learns she has two.
Victor finishes his cleaning and stays with Jenny during her examination.
Jenny recounts her wisdom teeth surgery, the leprechaun voicemail, and the package-delivery misunderstanding.
During the filling preparation, Jenny asks the dentist for a jar of removed teeth and proposes a serial-killer theory.
Jenny brings up the “balls in her mouth” (torus mandibularis), a topic the hygienist had introduced.
The dentist confirms the growths are normal and mentions he has seen larger cases.
Jenny makes a foot-in-mouth joke that exacerbates the awkwardness.
Victor hurriedly pays the bill, and Jenny reflects on the value of complete mortification.

Character Development

Jenny Lawson: This chapter reveals Jenny’s extreme dental anxiety and her habitual use of rambling, dark humor to navigate stress. Her inability to filter thoughts (leprechauns, serial-killer necklaces, mouth balls) shows her struggle with social anxiety and impulsivity, traits often mentioned in Broken. She also demonstrates resilience by reframing embarrassment as a form of freedom.
Victor: Victor’s presence is a quiet anchor. He tries to calm Jenny, explains her past trauma to the dentist, and ultimately cuts the visit short. His “Jesus Christ” mutters and quick payment reveal his familiarity with Jenny’s outbursts and his protective role.
Dentist: Initially professional and efficient, the dentist becomes visibly confused but adapts to Jenny’s conversational detours. His deadpan response to the mouth balls (“I’ve seen bigger”) shows he chooses to engage rather than judge.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Anxiety and Coping Mechanisms: Jenny’s need for Xanax before dental work and her nervous rambling illustrate how untreated anxiety manifests in everyday situations. She uses humor as a shield, turning fear into absurdity.
Vulnerability and Embarrassment: The chapter is a parade of cringe-worthy moments. Jenny deliberately leans into embarrassment, arguing that once you have shown your worst side to someone, there is nothing left to hide. This becomes a defiant acceptance of imperfection.
Body Autonomy and “Flaws”: The torus mandibularis (mouth balls) is a physical oddity that Jenny initially sees as a curiosity. The dentist’s professional indifference normalizes it. Jenny extends this to “holes” in general, suggesting we should embrace our imperfections rather than seek external validation.
Leprechaun as a Symbol of Mistaken Perception: Jenny’s drugged interpretation of a real event (package delivery) highlights how anxiety and medication warp reality. The leprechaun represents the harmless but frightening stories we tell ourselves.
Power Dynamics in Medical Settings: Jenny’s struggle to control the conversation mirrors the power imbalance between patient and doctor. By forcing the dentist to discuss absurd topics, she reclaims a measure of agency.

Why This Chapter Matters

“My Dentist Hates Me” exemplifies Jenny Lawson’s signature blend of raw honesty and exaggerated humor. It encapsulates a core theme of Broken: that mental illness and anxiety are not always dramatic – sometimes they show up in a dental chair. The chapter also serves as a microcosm of Lawson’s narrative style – rambling, self-deprecating, and deeply empathetic. It reassures readers that embarrassing moments do not define us, and that finding someone who has seen your “balls” (literal or figurative) can be oddly freeing. The chapter is a masterclass in transforming vulnerability into connection.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Jenny compare the dentist’s offer to fill cavities to a “pyramid scam”? Answer: Jenny argues that cavities are already holes, so drilling a larger hole to fill them seems counterintuitive. She jokingly suspects the dentist of inventing work to increase costs. This comment reflects her anxiety-driven distrust of medical procedures and her tendency to deflect fear with cynical humor.

2. How does the leprechaun story illustrate the effects of Jenny’s medication? Answer: After wisdom tooth surgery, the drugs made her sick and disoriented. When Victor said someone was “sneaking around the house,” Jenny’s mind translated it into “leprechaun.” She then left a confused voicemail about leprechauns while planning to dial 911. This shows how prescription side effects can amplify fear and distort reality, a recurring issue for people with anxiety disorders.

3. What does Jenny mean when she says, “the great thing about mortifying yourself … is that there’s no place to go but up”? Answer: Jenny believes that once you have revealed your most embarrassing self to someone (like a dentist), future interactions can only improve. She reinterprets shame as liberation – you no longer have to maintain a “shiny, false appearance.” This philosophy is a key coping strategy for her social anxiety throughout Broken.