Into the breach once more....

[mckitterick]

Last week, I went to see the dentist - something that causes me unnecessary grief - and got a long-overdue checkup. The dental hygienist was very thoughtful and kind, and the dentist acted appropriately horrified when I told her about why I was nervous. "That's awful," she said. "Dentistry has come a long way since then," she promised. And it seems she was right.

Nonetheless, tomorrow morning I need to go back for a "very small" filling, and it's tying my stomach up in knots. I'm sure everything will turn out okay. The worst part will be the damned needle and the pressure from the lidocaine under the skin. They're not sadists. They're in this business because they like taking care of people's teeth. Still.

Oh, and I chomped the living hell out of my tongue tonight. Which will be awesome tomorrow morning. *sigh*

Chris

UPDATE: As expected, the hygienist and dentist were kind and professional. They were also quicker than I had expected, and it was nice to watch Mythbusters during the procedure. Unfortunately, they finished before the Rocket Car™ launched, so I don't know if it worked!

I've discovered that nitrous doesn't seem to do anything, though the dentist told me that it relaxes people - because I felt normal, I must have been pretty anxious going in! The cleaning last week was actually much more painful: Those x-ray tabs hurt the mouth! When the lidocaine wears off, I fully expect to be sore, but for now, all's well. See, dental visits can be good.

Comments

Best wishes

[dragonet2.livejournal.com]

for the best experience possible.

I fear that the next time I can afford dental care it's going to be somewhat of a disaster. For the most part the teeth that are bad were either root-canaled and not crowned, or the crowns have gone bad, but the teeth are essentially dead so I've got no pain.And the de-plaquing is going to be bad.

And I, too, have a lot of gut-wrenching fear about dentists, caused mostly because the first dentist I ever saw told my parents, "kids don't need pain relief for baby teeth fillings..." (BULLSHIT)

Re: Best wishes

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Turned out just fine so far!

[lanerobins.livejournal.com]

I have to say, most dentists these days really are responsive and gentle to your wishes. Just speak up if something bothers you. I always ask mine to tell me what he's going to do every step of the way, and he does. Plus he tends to be generous with the numbing shots if I want him to be. Here's hoping things go smoothly and painlessly!

Plus, you can admire all the strange new technology they use! They harden fillings instantly with light now. Strange.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

They did use all kinds of cool tech, not the least of which (from my POV) was the wireless headset so I could listen to Mythbusters.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

gosh, what a perfect place to vent. i've been upset about this for days now. i went to the dental hygienist for a "root planing" on 10th. that's 2 weeks and 3 days ago. and my jaw still hurts from whatever she did to me when she gave me the injection. unbelievable. she does numb the teeth, tho...that's one thing that's good.

like most of us, i also have a long and dramatic history with dentists. then lately, i've come to believe (through experience) that the field of dentistry has evolved since i was a tot. this last hygienist, tho, is DEFINITELY too butch for me.

ETA: good luck on your mini filling. i'm sure you'll be ok, but i do know how you feel. most folks fear the dentist, i think.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I hope you get fixed up soon. And it turned out good for me, wishing you the same!

[edichka2.livejournal.com]

Xanax?
- E

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I think the nitrous had a similar effect, though I'm not entirely sure; all I know is that the anxiety was pretty low after the initial "ow" of the cotton-swap topical.

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

Poor boy. You'll do great! And this evening, lots of booze and Farscape. <3

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Now to grade, so I can enjoy those things!

[chernobylred.livejournal.com]

Yay for new LJ icon!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

How could I not make that one? :-D

PS: Very weird trying to eat an almond-butter sandwich with one half of a mouth that's still numb....

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

Hang in there, luv, it will be over soon.

Can you ask for a topical prior to the needle? (But if it's the noise of it, I do know what you mean, ugh!)

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

They did that even without asking! The noise was nasty, so having a wireless headset was very nice.

[roya-spirit.livejournal.com]

Splendid!

You can come to my lj and pat my hand repeatedly when I start freaking out over the coming dental surgery in January :)

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I sure will!

[pamelonian.livejournal.com]

I have them gas me before giving me the shot. It compresses time and once they remove the gas, the numbness has kicked in.

When they see the look of terror on my face I usually don't even have to ask for the gas. I haven't even had bad dental experiences but dental fear is widespread.

Good luck!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

It would seem that the gas helped, because I wasn't as tense as expected. Very handy chemical, as I didn't feel weird. Huh!

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

I, too, have an extreme aversion to going to the dentist. Last time I went, they gave me nitrous and I'm not convinced it helped, but I was so tense that I probably wasn't in a right mind to really tell. You have my total sympathies, Chris. And I'm glad that the appointment went better than you anticipated.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thank you! And I think we nervous-about-dentists types should always get nitrous, because I think without it things would have been much more stressful.

[avylou.livejournal.com]

Unless you are subject to vertigo or other inner ear problem. I assure you, you don't want nitrous under those circumstances.

I have nothing to add

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

but the rocket car worked, if this is what you're referring to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh835unue5w

Re: I have nothing to add

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I've seen that one (which is AWESOME!), but can't find today's show: 1967 Impala rocket car, trying to prove that big Detroit iron can really fly with rockets.

Re: I have nothing to add

[holyoutlaw.livejournal.com]

That would be amusing.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

Now that you've learned that, may I suggest going to the dentist regularly, as a preventative measure? I had a long period when I couldn't afford regular cleanings. Now I go every six months, like we were told to in school. Costs about $45. Worth it.

Nitrous doesn't stop the pain...

[(Anonymous)]

It stops you from caring about the pain.