After stoically ignoring my increasingly sore and tender gums for several days I finally gave in yesterday and called the dentist, thinking that they'd have a slot free next week or so. Unfortunately they had a cancellation for midday today and the no-nonsense receptionist, who probably heard my stammered excuses a million times before, deftly talked me into a check-up.
Which leads me to confess - I haven't had my teeth looked at in five years. It's disgraceful isn't it? I'm not particularly afraid of the dentist's chair (even though I am nervous this morning); it's more that I won't go until I have a problem. And miraculously I haven't had even a twinge in all that time. (I'm also very cheap and baulk at the prices.)
This morning I'm wishing I had gone more often, as I'll probably be on the receiving end of a stern lecture and a painful cleaning. And after enduring a Brazilian wax only twelve hours prior, I'm starting to think I may have masochistic tendencies...
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Masochism
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
Good luck today. At least you didn't get an excuse to put it off.
I'd far rather go to the dentist than have what you had done. Ouch, I can't even type it:-)
Eeek. I don't much like dentists. Good luck - I hope you don't get a stern lecture, but I bet it won't be as painful as the other thing!
Ha I'd go for the brazilian every time! I'm on four years and counting with the dentist. Hope you don't need much done and it isn't to horrible.
I haven't been in a good few years either...maybe three or four? Last time I went to the dentist I was convinced to have all my mercury fillings replaced with white ones. Costs an absolute fortune but was worth it but the memory of all that time in the chair and chewing the inside of my cheeks off after my aesthetic injections had made me put off and put off and put off my next check up.
Not to be gross but I'd rather have a smear (or 5) than 1 appointment with a dental hygienist. All that scraping and prodding and OW and bleeding gums and...urgh.
Okay, I might not make it back to the dentist for another 4 years now...
Thanks all for your good luck wishes, someone must have been listening because it went a lot better than I thought - the dentist was incredibly sympathetic and gentle and it was nearly painless! She actually thought I was really brave because my gums were so swollen - I must say that made me feel proud like a kid being praised by a teacher!
I need two fillings though - boo - but she's so good that I'm not feeling too bad about it.
Calistro, I had something similiar, five years ago I had a series of operations on my wisdom teeth, one of which went quite badly. I also had a crap dentist followed by a very bossy one, which also put me off. But today's experience has renewed my faith in dentists!
As an ex-dental nurse, I'm very glad to hear that your faith has been restored.
I'm the opposite of Cal - could spend all day in the dentist's chair but have managed to avoid the dreaded smear for about 13 years :0( We should look after ourselves better, shouldn't we?
(The last three letter of the verification code make 'owf' which sums up Brazillians and dentists pretty well!)
Jen, the dental nurse was amazingly friendly and gentle too, I was very impressed. You've reminded me that I must book another smear test, it's a giant pain in the neck all this maintenance isn't it?
Now you're making me feel guilty!
Also had a bad run in with braces, wisdom teeth operations that left me looking like a battered Popeye and dentists generally. It's been too long, though - I really should go back.
Glad to hear it wasn't too bad in the end.
I only go to the dentist when I'm in agony. It's not a good policy though!
(I'd also far rather have a smear than go to the dentist!)
Jen, I'm glad I went now, and after all the bad experiences of five years ago that's really saying something.
Helen, it's a bad policy you're right, but I just keep putting it off when my teeth are healthy.
I'm with Spiralskies - I'd much prefer the dentist.
Good dentists are fab, you just have to find the right one. Mine has movies playing while you're in the chair and sings along cheerily. She's so sweet and good at her job.
But a brazilian and a dental checkup in two days? I think some wine is in order (for the pain, of course)!
Angie, after my filling today I'll probably be reaching for the wine bottle. Your dentist sounds lovely.
Oh yikes! You've reminded me I've got my first filling in years in a couple of weeks. I hate dentists :O( Best of luck.
Karen, I'm very sorry to hear that. If it helps I had a filling today and it went swimmingly.
Post a Comment