The Dentist

I did not mind going to visit the dentist until seventh grade. In middle school I discovered the wonder of the vending machine and SPC (sugary salted processed crap) including candy and soda pop. I suddenly went from having perfect teeth to having cavities. Ugh.

And about the same time my dentist started using student hygienists to do the cleanings. Ouch!!! The System must have worked differently back in the day because they were learning on my mouth. I still get nervous every time I have to check in, don a bib, and open my mouth.

We had talked about my wisdom teeth & decided that there was space. I made a deal with my first adult dentist that if the wisdom teeth unwisely chose to get cavities, they would be pulled. The dreaded day came and the teeth had to come out. Our insurance would not pay for me to be put to sleep. And since I was so anxious about the whole thing, we decided to have my dentist pull the teeth. He warned me that morning that he was low on happy gas. Okay, just be fast!

The dentist numbed me and gassed me up. Headphones on & John Tesh started playing for the last time. The dentist put his foot on my chair ... And he pulled & he tugged & he pulled. (One tooth down, one to go!) First he pulled hard & then he pulled harder & ... The tooth shattered leaving the roots behind & the gas running low. I muttered through my grimace, "I don't like you anymore." He numbed my mouth as well as possible & had his secretary call the oral surgeon for an emergency extraction.

Scott drove me home & I miserably waited four hours before I went to the oral surgeon. I don't remember much beyond sitting in the chair & then waking up in the middle of a different song. As we were leaving the front desk lady recognized Scott & said something to the doctor Scott had done a merit badge clinic or something else Boy Scout related for their troop. The doctor kindly (very kindly!!) forgave our bill beyond what the insurance company would pay.

And so here I sit waiting for the dentist to come and give me final clearance. The hygienist is sweet and patient with me & I think I had a good calm appointment. If the wrong dentist walks in (they rotate based on who's available at whatever time), I freak out. My friend Dr Rouse is gentle! Here's hoping for many many years of happy smile and twice per year panic-free sessions. :)