In which Rolanni goes to the dentist

[rolanni]

I went to the dentist this morning.  This is monumental, because as a rule, I Don't Do Dentists.  However, I promised Steve that I would go for a checkup and a cleaning, and I made the appointment, for March 17, and told the office that the only way this would work was if there was valium, which the dentist prescribed, so I had it on hand when the call came in yesterday, saying that they had a cancellation and could I come in this morning at 7:30.  Steve being willing to act as driver, I agreed.

Mostly it went OK, though I made a tactical error in not fetching along a teddy bear or other stuffie, and so had to borrow the House Wolf.  You've gotta give points to a dentist's office that has a stuffed wolf on-call.

The good news is, no cavities.  The bad news is a low-grade infection, which I sorta knew, but was ignoring, also, there are a couple teeth that need to be capped, because I've dern near ground them down to nothing.  So -- another appointment in four months to take care of business and I will be taking a bear along.

This is the point where you wonder why the heck I'm telling you this stuff, and this is why. . .

Over the course of my life I've lost at least six friends and colleagues to complications of dental issues; cases of that low-grade infection that was just ignored, or higher-grade problems that needed Serious Money to fix, when there wasn't even Non-Serious Money in the checkbook, so it was just let go, for a while, and a while longer -- until it had gone too far.

Dentists are expensive, dentists are scary, but seriously people, take care of your teeth.  If you Don't Do Dentists, figure out what you need to do to make the experience liveable.  Valium, music and earphones, stuffed animal, a friend to sit next to the chair and hold your hand -- whatever it takes, right?

Promise me.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I Did Dentist last week, complete with X-rays that triggered my hyperactive gag reflex. Seriously do not like non-food stuff in my mouth . . .

Not dead yet.

[bercilakslady.livejournal.com]

Going to the dentist next month, and bringing my stuffed puppy with me as per normal. I'm seriously impressed with a dentist who keeps a stuffie on call.

Very glad to hear the infection was caught early.

[caoilfhionn.livejournal.com]

Oh, oh, oh. Thank you. I'm working on this with my beloved, who had Horrendous Dentist Experiences in his youth and will. not. go. Despite having good insurance. Despite having access to a much larger pool of talent now than in his hometown. I'm constantly worried that something is going to go wrong, and when it does, it will be epic. Of course, my wonderful, gentle dentist is two states away and booked for months ahead as well. I'll keep working on it. Thank you for saying this. I think it's way too easy to think of the really dangerous problems as anomalies that only happen to other people, not people we, y'know, know.

Dentist

[nocal-kathyf.livejournal.com]

My first dentist was Dr. Stanton St. Peter, and he was wonderful. I used to go around the corner to visit his office and thought about being a dentist one day. I had a lisp he helped fix without braces. My hero. My current dentist is also great, we've been going to him for over 30 years. He does sedation if needed, heated pillows for your neck, and a garden to look at while you're in the chair. I will suggest he add a stuffed animal to hold onto.
Like all dentists, he is expensive and I no longer have dental. Don't know why they don't include dental and vision with medical, never made sense to me, since dental health problems can kill you, as you said. We now pay as we go now. Gulp. So far he's been willing to take monthly payments.
I hope your infection clears up quickly, and that your next experiences are all good ones to counteract the bad beginnings. Take care!

IN WHICH ROLANNI GOES TO THE DENTIST

[mary wyss (from livejournal.com)]

Having started the dental reconstruction process in 2009 please follow that very good advice. It is a long and expensive process and there are bound to be detours along the way. Please consider a waterpik in addition to just brushing. Microscopic food particles can be dislodged and the gums stimulated.

My case is a little extreme but 7 teeth were surgically removed, bones grafted and finally implants installed after a sinus resection. Then braces were suggested and that took 3 years. The braces were removed 2013 implant crowns were put in and eating became enjoyable again.

We waited until our children were done with college to start this process but it felt just like paying tuition.

I was very lucky because we a friend who is a pediatric dentist. He recommended a prosthodontist and the two of them agreed on the oral surgeon.

Modern dentistry is much less painful but the right dentist(s) made a huge difference.

This was the treatment plan my original dentist told me to follow when I was 30. He is still the best dentist that I know but the plan was only a dream then waiting to be invented. He was my father.

[threeringedmoon.livejournal.com]

This is why I go to a dentist that offers sedation. I have had one root canal and will never have another one without sedation. This office specializes in people with dental phobias, and does as much as they can to make it a bearable experience. Unlike the last place I went, where they seemed to be racing against the clock, the personnel at this office act as though they have all the time in the world.

[drammar.livejournal.com]

It's apparently dental season. I was at the dentist this morning to have stitches removed because of the periodontal surgery I needed because of procrastination and too-long-waitium and the gum disease was winning.

Please heed Rolanni's excellent advice.

Dentist Visit

[catherine ives (from livejournal.com)]

Just think: It came to pass it didn't come to stay. Someday the visit will be but a memory. Out here at the dentist office there's no teddy bears, no valium, no earphones. Going to have to talk to my dentist about these!

[the wol (from livejournal.com)]

Hey, I have more root canals than I have live teeth, as was graphically brought home to me by recent set of neck x-rays (one this way and one this way). It's not so much the pain as the noise of the drill. Affects me the same way as fingernails on a blackboard. Nitrous oxide and portable music with ear buds works for me.

[catherine kelleher (from livejournal.com)]

I second the suggestion on the waterpic. I had some deep pockets around the wisdom teeth that the dentist wanted to work on. I suggested we wait and see how they progressed. I got a waterpic and used it faithfully and by the next appointment the pockets had improved to the point that I didn't need any work on them.

[nfurman.livejournal.com]

COQ10, and neem toothpaste and an electric toothbrush ( vibration good for bone) are also wonderful adjunct tools. Along with regular cleanings, fillings when needed, and lots of brushing. Oh, and hydrogen peroxide rinse- lifts out particles and helps kill bacteria. Am 67 and my teeth are doing better than they did for years. The Neem is an Indian herb that also helps reduce bacterial attacks :)
I had a filling needed every single dental visit until I started the above. So much good luck wished your way, and the idea that not only is there a cuddle toy, but a Wolf! cuddle toy is awesome

[swedishsis.livejournal.com]

My sympathies! The first time I went to the new (to me) dentist office with my husband, I was so petrified they finally asked him if I spoke English. My blood pressure shoots up every time I go. Glad you were able to borrow a stuffie.