Well, not yet. I went to the dentist yesterday. Now my experience with dentists has not been good. Not good at all. My pain threshold in my mouth is darned near zero and most pain blockers don't work for me. So, visiting the dentist is generally a painful experience.In my past experiences, I've found that most dentists do not take the pain problem seriously. My tenure with them tends to be short-lived. And consequently, my dental health has suffered.
My current dentist at least acknowledges that the procedures she's subjecting me to are painful. And she works as fast as possible. But, that doesn't make it hurt less, you know? Currently I'm undergoing something called "scaling". It's as uncomfortable as it sounds. And now my gums feel like they're vibrating. Yummmmy.
I'm consoling myself with runny, melted chocolate ice cream. After this, I'll bravely take on the saltwater rinse, the meticulous brushing, and the teeny little brushes between the teeth and finally the mouthwash. If you hear me screaming across the country... well, say a prayer.
anny
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Hope it doesn't hurt too much, Anny! Dentists are not fun.
ReplyDeleteAround here, we see advertisements for sedation dentistry, designed for people who get over-anxious or have a low pain threshold. You're out for the duration of the procedure. Maybe you should look for someone near you who does that.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better.
I used to have dental problems until I found the right dentist. Now I go in 3x a year for cleanings, which has made my visits much less painful. It's all in finding the right person.
ReplyDeleteI've had just about everything done from abscessed teeth pulled to root canals, to re-shaping the gum line (imagine Scalingx3). I'm able to cope with lots of novacaine and that stuff the dentist puts on the gums that numbs them before the shots. I use the numbing stuff at home, too (Orajel or whatever it's called). Works wonders.
Hang in there. Scaling will pay off in the long run.
I wish we had dental insurance...
ReplyDeleteI've already set up the DVR for my 'summer guilty pleasure' TV show...I'll be there, lurking:)
I refuse to let them 'scale' my teeth. I make them do it by hand. Scaling makes me feel like I'm being electrocuted in my mouth. I suffer from major dental-phobia, but I do go because I want to keep my big white teeth! I have big teeth...really.
ReplyDeleteJust finding one who believes you when you tell them the 'caine drugs don't work is a miracle. "You can't feel anything, I gave you a shot." yeah, right! Might as well just stab me with an empty needle, it does just as much good.
ReplyDeleteOuch, I'm like you Anny. I can't stand pain. I feel for you and hate dentist and blood techs who have to take blood from my invisible tiny veins but can't find them. At least we have chocolate. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteYou are soo brave, Anny! But don't give up...your own teeth are far better than the alternative. :P
ReplyDeleteOh man! You just reminded me I have a dental appointment on the 20th. I don't really like my dentist because she always has a judgemental tone. However, she's meticulous and the fillings are indistinguishable from the teeth, and there are a lot of bad dentists around here.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with yours. And screeeeeeeeeeeeam all you want!
I once bit a dentist because he wouldn't believe he was hurting me.
ReplyDeleteI always drink tons of green tea if I have a dental abscess before I see a dentist. Phobia here also.
ReplyDeleteAnny, there are a lot of things that we need to endure to get long term rewards. In the case of dental practice, scaling or deep cleaning is done to remove plaque and stain buildup. Although it's painful, the patient will experience the benefits of a great smile and painless tooth in the years to come.
ReplyDeleteIn most parts of the country and in Nashua, dental practitioners encourage patients to have this treatment done to protect their teeth. Pain problems can be dealt with by using nitrous oxide or local anesthesia. It would be best to consult your dentist about your pain threshold to know the best options out there.
Hoping that your scaling would be successful!
Hi Anny! Just like you, I have very little tolerance with pain. In fact, I put hold on seeing a dentist for 10 years. I only had the courage to go back when I heard about sedation dentistry. Scottsdale City offers the best dental treatments I have ever tried. Even though there is pain in dental procedures I won't be able to feel it, so I can still have healthy, perfect looking teeth.
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better soon and the pain goes away quickly!