Dental Hygiene

Today I had a dentist appointment. Up until fairly recently I didn't go to the dentist. As a kid my back teeth were tilted funny so no matter how diligent I was I got cavities. My gums were pricked and my teeth drilled almost every time I went to the dentist for several years so when I got to college and didn't have dental insurance anymore (or a mother who lived nearby to make me go) I just stopped going. Even when I became a responsible adult I didn't go. I had such an aversion to the dentist it was just easier not going. That was until about 3 years ago when I cracked a back tooth on a piece of bread at a dinner function for work. I spent the night and next school day in pain, swallowing aspirin by the handful, avoiding a visit to the dentist. I don't know if you've ever had a tooth ache, but it is not something so easily ignored. I asked for some dentist referrals and finally made an appointment for that day after school. Terrified, I clung to the office chair having a full exam and then finally some pain medication for the cracked tooth. The next day I went in for a root canal. For the next three years, after thousands of dollars (both insurance $$ and my $$) my neglected teeth were slowly but surely repaired and made healthy again. I had DEEP cleanings, a couple more root canals, some new cavities filled, some old cavities redone with pretty new white fillings, and regular cleanings. During my last appointment, about 6 months ago, I had what I hoped were my last 3 refillings to bring my teeth back to tip top shape.

Today I had an appointment for a cleaning. I did not realize that it was time for my x-rays and check up as well. Although my dentists have been wonderful and all the work has been virtually pain free, I still have quite a bit of anxiety going, even for cleanings. So having to go through an exam and them possibly finding something else I had to have done (and pay for) increased my blood pressure to say the least.

"Everything looks good," the dentist said after looking at my x-rays and sticking his fingers into my mouth. "Yay!" I gurgled out loud. This is the first time in the last three years that I didn't walk out of the dentist office having just paid a bill or having made an appointment for more work to be done. I did make my next appointment for a cleaning, but that's it. It was a proud, proud day.