I went to the dentist yesterday after a severe toothache the previous night which was after one of my molars cracked – to which Pristine screamed there must be earthquake inside my mouth for my teeth to crack.
She has a point and even if she doesn’t I didn’t have the strength to dispell her claim.
Anyway, I hate going to the dentist and I am sure many can relate. I also hate the fact that I only come to the dentist whenever I have a problem, which of course many of you and good boys and girls know, is not good. That only means I care less about my teeth because if I did, I could have gone twice a year for cleaning and checkup (or carry a pocket toothbrush in my back pocket like my husband does – story for another day). But I just dont and I just don’t learn a lesson.
I have lost 4 molars at the young age of 20, causing my teeth to boogie, party and move like tectonic plates – resulting in me looking like Madonna when she smiles. I meant the gaps in Madonna’s front teeth, of course – which is only lovely if I had Madonna’s riches so I can fix the gap whenever I want to. Madonna doesn’t like to fix her gap because it’s her trademark and now fast becoming mine I am afraid she’ll sue me for stealing her look. Sheesh, where am I going.
“Hmmm, I’m afraid we’d have to do a root canal.”
The kind lady dentist looked at me with piercing eyes. Those words she just said sounded to me exactly like, “we need to remove your uterus by force or scrape one part of your brain”. If there are two words that go together that I fear and hate, it would be root and canal.
What I don’t like about going to the dentist? The checking up part where they have to stick a thin piece of metal to check the depth of the cavity drives me dizzy – I mean, crazy. Excuse me while I cringe, shudder and wipe my tears.
The dentist lodged the wire on my molar and touched THE nerve. The nerve that didn’t want to be touched! Simultaenously, I let out a scream. My mouth was already open so it really didn’t require much effort.
“Looks like we can save this teeth, Grace. The cavities didn’t reach the nerves yet though the long wire did.”
I can’t even understand why she was even smiling while I was wiping my tears and putting on my Labello lip cream (hey, constant exposure to dental clinic air makes my lips dry).
She continued, “So, you’re lucky! No root canal for now!”
That moment, I swear I’ve seen angels singing hallelujiah. I began to sit back and relax so to speak.
…until she turned her back, got something and faced me with a big injection.
“I’ll just have to inject you so you wouldn’t feel any pain while I clean that tooth and fill it up.”
Yeah right. I wouldn’t feel a thing though in other words, she only meant the torture has just began.
You know what? Sometimes, I feel like giving birth is so much easier than being treated on that dentist chair. Ok, my 40 hours of labor wasn’t a joke (without any epidural) but at least, I got something cute at the end of it.
But being in that dentist chair? One has to survive the suspense of the doctor ultimately hitting THE nerve, the sweaty palms, the mouth vacuum, the drilling sound and the drilling itself, the smell of plastic filling during light cure, the thought of needles poking and mutilating my gums. And in the end? There’s nothing cute – you are faced with the thriller of the anesthesia wearing out and the real world pain to set in and ruin your day or days and make you miss your favorite food…and that you have to refrain from talking if you don’t want the people around to suspect you’re on drugs. Thank God I have a blog.
It’s amazing how many random things come to mind when one sits on the dentist’s chair that I am so sure at one point or another, J.K. Rowling must have thought, while she’s being root-canaled, of a book called Harry Potter and the Deathly Drill or something.
I promise to take care of my teeth more. If cats can do it, so can I and you can, too!
Finding Backroads 
i was cringing at that post.
gonna go floss now.
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I. Hate. Going. To. The. Dentist.
They just put out info. here that they’re not treating family members for routine stuff….guess I’m in luck!
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I have gone regularly to the dentist for as long as I can remember. You would be surprised considering the condition of my mouth–more than half my teeth have been filled.
Coincidentally, yesterday I went to the dentist because a hunk of one of my molars fell off the night before. Unlike you however, I’m scheduled for a root canal in two weeks. 😦
I’m quite the baby in the dentist office. I probably shed more tears yesterday than while I was watching Old Yeller as a kid. Going causes me extreme anxiety.
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Oooh goodness.
I hate the dentist like you do(although that happy gas is the most amazing stuff out there!) and this was just making my teeth hurt >.< At least you didn’t have to get the damn root canal!
Speaking of dentist, I haven’t been to one in like 2 years so your not alone.
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halo gracie…nabanhaw ko…hehehe
kahadlukan ba oi…bitaw!
makalugar na jud ko ug basa sa imong blog kay naa na ko internet sa house…Yippee!!!
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You know, it’s funny but I’d rather go to a dentist than a doctor. Doctors want you to get naked before they poke around, at least dentists don’t disrobe you.
I’m sorry it had to be at such a price but this is the funniest post you’ve written dearie…
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Eurgh. Dentists. Once I went first thing in the morning, skipping breakfast. They gave me the needle which apparently went right into a vein… I broke out into a cold sweat and felt like I was going to freak out and pass out. The hygenist told me to put my head between my legs and the dentist gave me some glucose stuff to eat. Not a pleasant experience.
Great post, Grace. Once again you made me laugh out loud!
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There is a great book called Cure Tooth Decay. Really diet is the key to healthy teeth. I found the book informative, especially the chapter on root canals. Which can create a host of health concerns. Who would ever think that a root canal can cause one to have severe migraines for the rest of their life as well as complications for persons with fibromyalgia and chronic fatique. I did precede to do my own research and was really floored about the toxins used by our dentists. Of which are placed in our mouths. Yes they still use mercury in fillings. I just had a natural substance used to fill a cavity that, of course cost almost twice as much as a metal filling. Everyone should be proactive in regards to their dental health. Find out what your dentist is using for sealants, fillings, cleansers etc. I just ask my dentist of 16 years and the responses I receive has me looking for a holistic dentist. For me, I live and breathe an organic lifestyle. Never thought of the ingredients of dental procedures until recently. As I was told I needed 3 root canals, extensive work etc. Please do your research for the safety of your health and your family. Peace, Shelly
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Oh you poor thing…. I was sooo cringing while reading!! I haven’t been to the dentist in, GULP, 4 years… I know, shame on me. First it was because we had no health insurance, now it is because I’m afraid to go since it’s been so long!! I, too, LOVE the “happy gas”. I once had a tooth PULLED to avoid a root canal!
Then 2 years later, I had an implant done — under anesthesia — but when you wake up, OH THE PAIN.
I feel for you, Grace… and I love Pristine’s earthquake comment, it sure does FEEL like one when you have a toothache! Hope you feel better soon… take some pain meds and get some rest.
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OUCH. I’m so afraid of a dentist too.
So glad you didn’t need root canal after all
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I am so glad you didn’t have to have a root canal. Those things sound terrible.
Teeth care is one of those things that is so easy to neglect.
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this is not pain relief process, so no way to seat calm and take breath. hehee. 🙂
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I don’t mind going to the dentist other then getting the shots to numb my mouth. I hate the shots even though it is just a little prick it still hurts to me really bad.
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