I had an appointment with a dentist today at 10:30. I made the appointment yesterday. I didn't expect that would happen so fast.
I went in, and they told me they'd just be looking at my teeth and getting an idea of my overall dental health and creating a treatment plan so I could see what I was getting myself into. So, they poked and prodded and counted and remarked. Yes, I'm missing two teeth. No, that half-tooth in the back doesn't bother me now and has never hurt. Yes, I know I should floss.
And then they found something...
They kept referring to it as a "microdent." He said it's not a baby tooth. It's just...a tiny tooth that is extra and had lodged itself between to other teeth, just for funsies. So, since I'm apparently such an anomaly, he called in the hygienists and they all "ooh"ed and "ahh"ed and "that's really weird"ed over my mouth. And then we moved on. I wondered what he thought of it, how common it is, and what they were planning on doing about it...but we moved on. The hardest part of being at the dentists was not being able to talk and ask questions when I wanted to.
So.
He decided we should start with the upper left part of my mouth, around where I had my first tooth pulled. There were cavities in the teeth next to it and one other. He said I'd need my wisdom teeth removed. And they wanted to talk to me about getting implants where those two teeth were removed.
And then they told me that the upper left section of my mouth they could do today. So...I panicked. I wanted out, somehow. I've never had a cavity filled. I've never had much dental work at all done. And they wanted to just...get right to it. I wondered aloud if I'd be okay. They assured me that if I'd had a tooth pulled, I'd be okay. Except...the dental hygienist said that I'd "just be awake for this procedure." When I told them I was awake for the extractions, they all jumped back and were like, "Oh, honey, then this is going to be a cake walk."
And I explained to them my fear of needles, and they numbed my gums up with a swab...and another swab...and a third. And I didn't see or feel the needle. I just...closed my eyes and let them work. And before I knew it, I was getting drilled and filled.
And not in the good way.
I didn't expect it would happen so fast.
But there was no pain--just a lot of water and noise. I don't hate the sound of a dental drill. I do hate having to keep my mouth open so long. Ouch. My jaw is sore...
But I have three fillings now, and...that's good. Next Tuesday I get to have the lower left done. Maybe I'll be able to eat by then...
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7 comments:
Well I hope you've learned your lesson - Never go to the dentist.
What? I'm pretty sure that was the lesson here.
If you decide to have your wisdom teeth out -- and make sure it's absolutely necessary -- then you'll probably want to be knocked out. It's not a pleasant procedure so really make sure you need it. Get a second opinion if you have to.
Yikes! Why do dentists always do that -- jump on you and try to get you to do something right away, I mean? They must know most people won't say 'no' on the spot.
Anyway, I agree with Greg -- make sure you actually need to have your wisdom teeth removed before they go ahead and remove them. I had all of mine removed when I was a teen and it went well enough, but things have changed in the ensuing years -- it's no longer believed that all wisdom teeth always have to be removed -- and you shouldn't go through the trouble and expense if you don't have to.
Now please excuse me -- I have to head to the bathroom to floss (OK, I'll just brush)...
I highly recommend using mouthwash in addition to brushing with a fluoride toothpaste. I was reading something about that the other day.
And I should beta your blog entries, Mr. English Major.
I always use mouthwash. Every time I brush. And...beta? What?
The dentist I was taken to as a kid had this notion that, where fillings were concerned, children would be far more afraid of the needle of anaesthetic than they would be of the drill. Accordingly, he never ever offered to give the vital numbing stuff. You know there's a scene in the movie Marathon Man where evil Nazi dentist Larry Olivier drills Dustbin Hoffman's teeth? I have LIVED that scene! And it hurts like the Devil. Give me drugs every time.
The dentist I was taken to as a kid had this notion that, where fillings were concerned, children would be far more afraid of the needle of anaesthetic than they would be of the drill. Accordingly, he never ever offered to give the vital numbing stuff. You know there's a scene in the movie Marathon Man where evil Nazi dentist Larry Olivier drills Dustbin Hoffman's teeth? I have LIVED that scene! And it hurts like the Devil. Give me drugs every time.
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