Friday, September 05, 2008

"My Kingdom for Perfect Teeth"

Yesterday afternoon I had a dentist appointment. Now, we all know how much I loathe going to the dentist. I'd rather go to the gynecologist. Yes, it's that bad.

But, I really like my dentist. I had to switch dentists this year and my mother recommended this one to me. She did a great job because he's very kind, makes you laugh, and is very laid-back. In fact, his entire office is that way. While I was sitting with my mouth stretched open, the dental assistant and the dentist and I were all laughing. That's a good thing.

And really, the only bad part about the whole ordeal was the numbing process. For some reason, I need more than one shot of novacaine.

The first time the dentist put the drill to my tooth (I was in for a crown prep), I said, "Whoa! Not numb yet!"

He said, "Serious?"

"Oh yes. I'm very serious," I replied.

So he gave me another shot, which didn't hurt because the site was already numb. Then he commenced to drilling and I didn't feel a thing.

I walked out of the dentist office feeling pretty darn good about myself. I'd survived quite nicely, thank you very much. I could do this again, no problem. (Note to self: wait until novacaine wears off before making such outlandish claims!)

Since I'd taken the afternoon off and had an hour or so before I had to go pick up my daughter from school, I went shopping. I was still numb, so I didn't feel anything. But soon after I picked up my daughter, that's when things started to go downhill.

I tried to drink my beverage and could feel it dribbling down my chin because I couldn't open my mouth wide enough to get my lips over the top of the bottle. Not a good sign. The numbness started to wear off and my cheek, jaw, and yes, tooth, began to ache. Suddenly, all I wanted to do was crawl under a blanket and take a blessed nap. So when I got home, that's exactly what I did.

I slept more than two hours and when I woke up, I was starving. Out came the tomato soup and crackers since anything more solid than that wasn't going to work.

The sad part about this? I have to go back in two weeks and get more work done - specifically, I have to get the new crown put on my tooth. But I also have to get two cavities filled, so more novacaine and more drilling will commence.

I am so not looking forward to this.

I don't remember the dentist affecting me this bad when I was younger. I could go to the dentist and then go back to work no problem. But the last few times I've been in, I just can't handle it. Maybe I'm just getting old. *grin*

15 comments:

  1. The dentist has ALWAYS affected me like that - worse before they gave us injections and told us we should just shut up and put up with it like everyone else. The injection was a luxury we couldn't afford. Hope the aching wears off soon and that the next instalment is bearable at least. I hate the dentist.

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  2. Your description of your dental work and the aftermath made my mouth hurt! Ugh!

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  3. After having my wisdom teeth out, I can say I'd rather go through labor again than experience that. Supposedly oral pain is up there with heart pain on the pain meter.

    Next time, use a straw to drink your soda.

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  4. I'm with you - better a gyno trip than the dentist. And I've been a bad girl since we moved here and really do have to make an appointment.

    Hope your next appointment goes a little better!

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  5. Diane - I can't imagine NOT having novacaine and going through that pain! Goodness. You'd have to knock me out to get me to go to the dentist.

    Tamara - Thanks for visiting! Sorry I made your mouth hurt. *grin*

    Rene - Y'know, having my wisdom teeth out wasn't as bad as I thought. I would definitely do that before labor again, though. That is pain I will never forget.

    Tess - I was a bad girl for too long and that's why I'm having all this work done. :-( But I hope your check-up yields better results than mine!

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  6. Wow! We must have some kind of dental connection going. I've got a temporary crown on now and go in on Monday to have the permanent one done. It's funny, but after nearly 14 years with military dentists, going to civilian dentists is a piece of cake. The military dentists had no concerns about building a practice or keeping your business so they weren't especially concerned about how they did their work. Conversely, the civilian dentists I've gone to are constantly concerned with my comfort level and trying to please me. Of course, you get what you pay for. I wasn't shelling out any money for the military dentists ;)

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  7. Lisa - I've heard similar horror stories about military dentists. Not good!

    Yeah, my dentist is very concerned with my comfort - they certainly didn't want me to feel anything yesterday. That's a good thing in my book!

    Hope the writing is going well. :-)

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  8. I remember dribbling. I'd rather try without the Novocaine myself. Sometimes it is easier.

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  9. Hm, you're lucky your husband is not in dental school. I get the "privilege" of having my mouth looked at multiple times a week. We even have a "scaler" in the bathroom drawer. When he gets the urge, I get to lay on the bed while he scales my teeth of all the plaque - no anesthesia.

    He's a good dentist though. I'm glad you like yours. Could you take some advil right before going to the dentist so that when the numbness wears off, the pain killers would be in place?

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  10. Toni - No novacaine? Ack! I think I would pass out. :-)

    Heather - Oh dear. I must say, I'm glad my husband is NOT a dentist. He'd have to practice on the kids instead of me. ;-)

    Good thought about the Advil, though. May try that next time.

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  11. I was a good girl and made my appointment for next week. Oh joy. I do use an electric toothbrush and floss, so hopefully it won't be too scary!

    AND I finally got around to that blogpost I mentioned I'd do :)

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  12. My dentist has actually started using a laser rather than a drill, when filling cavities. With a laser, no novacaine is necessary!! I've had one done, and there's no pain. (But then you don't have an excuse for a nap, either. Trade-offs ...)

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  13. Tess - Ah, yes. Flossing. I have actually improved in this area since my last appointment and my dental hygenist (sp?) actually said she saw an improvement. Yay!

    Joanne - A laser? Oh, I'll take that over a nap anyday! I may need to talk to my dentist about this...

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  14. I go in for checkup soon.

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  15. Brian, hope it goes well. :-)

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