Last week while I was in Seattle I had a tooth break. Those who’ve seen me lately may have noticed I’ve been quieter or at least not opening my mouth as much.
About 2 years ago I decided to begin what would be very lengthy and expensive work on fixing damage from orthodontia and the resultant 20 years of hygene that while present never seemed to help.
My initial orthodontist wasn’t the greatest guy in the world and the 2.5 year torture left my teeth straightened but in very bad condition. Over the ensuing 20 years, I have done much with trying to keep my hygene up, but a sever dental anxiety and the fact that brushing 2-3 times doesn’t help… has made the process difficult.
So, 2 years ago I went thru the evaluation. Without insurance it’d be about $18K to fix my mouth. Before the process was to begin I had to go in for what is known as a deep cleaning. This was a two visit process where they numb your mouth and…. well to spare you… deep clean the teeth.
I worked up the energy to commit to the process. How horrible could it be. The pain will be numbed. During my 2nd deep cleaning the call came. Even posted about it the next day.
Needless to say, with my insurance change and everything else. People really understand how uncomfortable I can get with going to the dentist. Well, it’s two years later. All I’ll say is that WITHOUT insurance, I’m now up to about $22K in dental work. Thank the gods for insurance. Also, due to the amount of work I am getting, I seem to be getting frequent flier discounts.
Yesterday, I went in for deep cleaning again. This will again be 2 part. Fortunately, I really can’t get laid off this time. As soon as I post this I am off again today for not 1, not 2, but 3 root canals. Wheee.
People won’t probably notice much change in my smile for several months… But at least I am doing something constructive about it.
Wish me luck.
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I’ve had deep cleaning done, just get a nice hygenist who understands you are abit of a dentalphobe. It really isn’t that bad.
Oh my goodness, dental stuff has always freaked me out – I am sending you all kinds of mojo and good vibes and happy feelings! And then someday soon you will realize it’s over and you don’t have to worry about it anymore. ::nervous hopping!::
Good luck – that is a lot of work to be done, but very good you are dedicated to doing it!
Much luck my brova!
Good on you! R has serious dental anxiety as well, but since he started seeing beter dentists he is much less anxious about it. An important thing was finding dentists who do the perioscale (deep cleaning) with a sonic cleaner instead of just scraping for hours. It’s almost painless.
I really hope things go well. Good oral hygeine affects all of your health.
Mmm. Deep cleaning’s scarier name is root planing. Yes. I had this done. The best part is the next day when you wake up and go AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa MY FUCKING GUMS!
SERIOUS word to the wise. Get a hydrofloss machine. It’s a high-end water-pik. It’s fucking fantastic, and it will keep all of the work that they did from reversing. And you don’t have to use dental floss, which is yucky.
good energy your way–for a calm mind and successful outcome.
*snuggles and footsies*
Best of luck to you brother! I am also a *serious* dental phobe and your entry made me cringe a little. I’ve had an unbelievable amount of work done on my teeth, from fillings (at least 20) to extractions (9). A combination of bad genes, too many teeth, and poor orthodontia has resulted in many a day spent in the chair listening to soft rock and trying not to sob. You’d think with all that work done I’d get over my phobia, but the hits just keep on coming. In the end, though, I keep going back for regular cleanings and maintenance because I really DO want to keep as many of my natural teeth as I possibly can. It sucks, but it’s worth it. So good teeth and gums healing vibes to you!
While I don’t exactly …
feel your pain, I do have my own dental phobias. Back in the Day, I’d see a dentist every seven years, whether I needed it or not. Double Pentathol, rocks, please. That is, until I found my current dentist about 15 years ago. This man is so concerned about pain, so careful & gentle, that in all the time I’ve been seeing him, I’ve rarely felt a twinge, even when he’s got the needle in.
Best of luck, strength, courage, and all that, Bro.
Good luck
I’ve had a lot of that stuff done too. Yay for insurance is right! Good luck on your current visit. Hope to get a chance to talk to you this weekend.
*HUG* Good luck with everything. I’m glad it’s getting better.