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

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!