I have a fear of dentists. I was going to say an irrational fear, but really, it's perfectly rational.
When I was about 12, I was chewing on a Now and Later taffy thing, and broke one of my molars. My mom took me to this nice, pediatric dentist to have it fixed. What I wish he would have said was, "This is beyond my ability. Let me send you to another dentist, so this is a good experience." What he did, was drill...for three hours.
This guy didn't use one of those mouth guard things. I can still taste and feel the drilled tooth in my mouth. I can smell the smoke from the drill. Then, toward the end of my horrible experience, the novocaine started to wear off. He would hit certain places that would practically send me through the roof in pain. I remember him having me hold an accupressure point on my earlobe to lessen the pain some.
That guy is since out of business under somewhat shady circumstances.
In addition to that experience, I have a really weird reaction to fluoride - it makes the muscles in the front of my neck get sore because I clinch my teeth really hard in my sleep. Try telling a dentist that you want as little fluoride as possible when you have bad teeth. They more often than not try to get me to do a rinse with the toxic stuff at home.
Fast-forward to today. I have a dentist appointment. I now see what I think is the best dentist in the city, who is a friend of the family and goes to church with us. Dentists are still not my favorite.
On our way home...Harvest Host
2 months ago
I have to tell you my dentist stories sometimes. Your experiance sounds similar to mine-I'm so sorry you had to go thru that. Mind sharing who your dentist? I am actually looking for another one right now after being with mine for about 4yrs or so.
ReplyDeleteNobody likes going to the dentist. NOBODY. I have pretty good teeth and I practically need to take a valium to go. I would rather have my annual girly check-up than go to the dentist. Being a grown-up sucks sometimes.
ReplyDeleteHave you heard of water lase dentisty? They don't have to give you a shot to numb pain because they use a laser with water instead of a drill. A waterlase machine cost $80,000 which is why most dentist don't have them even if they are better for people's teeth. It basically melts the decay away and it doesn't damage the good part of the tooth as a drill does. Which is why some people get more cavities because drilling damages the good part of your tooth.There is no weird smokey smell, you don't hear the horrible sound of a drill and it takes like 10-15 mins to do a cavity. I have had MANY expericences like you did. I get really bad teeth during pregnancy, but this is really the best dentist I have ever been to. Check him out at www.hilldentistry.com it's two brothers I go to Dr. Johnathan Hill.
ReplyDeleteI have horrible teeth. And of course, no dental insurance.
ReplyDeleteI've already had soo many fillings and probably need a route canal or two plus additional fillings.
I am faithful about getting my teeth cleaned, but even this is a painful and frightening experience for me.
I've also been pregnant or breastfeeding for the last (almost) 5 years, so getting all of the teeth work done has been a challenge.
I hate it! I sympathize! Blah!
Actally check out Waterlasedentisty.com it explains the benefits of laser dentisty.
ReplyDeleteFor sure no such thing as an irrational fear of dentists. I don't like them for much the same reason. I tend to need an abnormal amount of novacaine, which most dentists don't believe ("Let's just try it and you can tell me if you need more"). More than once I've writhed in pain, unable to tell them I need more because the pain is so much. They usually figure it out when my knees come up to my head, or the dentist gets a foot to his chops.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm done ranting...and being theatrical.
So, in my closet at home, I have two jars. In one, is rosemary, peppermint, lemon and lime rinds, and vodka. In the second is wild cherry bark, elderberries, and vodka.
Oh yeah, that's right. Homemade perfume and homemade cough syrup.
Are you proud of me???? :)
I miss you!
I have to laugh at how much response this one got. Apparently I'm not the only one who greatly dislikes the dentist. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd, for what it's worth, I have 4 cavities. Lame. The dentist was nice though.
Oh...other responses...
ReplyDeleteLiz - I see Dr Ron Charity. He's really good, even though he is out of network on my insurance. I feel confident that he'll do good work that will last. As opposed to the last dentist I had, who did...well...work we're replacing now.
Christina - I gotta say, I'll take the dentist over that. :)
Flo - I still have my wisdom teeth, because first I refused to do it because I was so scared, and then I had babies and/or nursed for 3 1/2 years. Probably have to do it this summer. Yuck.
Irene - never heard of it. I'll have to look at that.
Staci - That's awful! I am proud of you. You'll have to tell me how it all turns out.