I have a dentist appointment tomorrow. I haven't been to the dentist in a long, long time. My teeth are, quite literally, rotting out of my face. It started right after Cara was born when I got an abscess and a gangrenous infection in my mouth. It's all gone down hill from there. However, we fall into that crack between being too poor to afford to go to the dentist and making too much to qualify for assistance. So, my teeth have always taken a back seat. To be fair, I play it off like it's not a big deal but I spend a lot of time in pain. Recently, the majority of my back teeth have been breaking off until I have nothing but exposed nerves and cavity filled caverns in my mouth. I can't wait anymore.
So, tomorrow I go in for an assessment and estimate. I expect root canals, bridges, caps, fillings and more. Oh, not all today, but that's what will be involved next year when our new flex kicks in. And they'll have to sedate me because I have terrible TMJ. Eight years ago I had the jaw of a 50 year old woman. Who knows how bad it is today.
It's not because I didn't take care of my teeth - I brushed and rinsed and went to the dentist. But...I did smoke and I did drink a lot of soda. I also used to throw up a lot. Bulemia for awhile and then just --yk...excessive drinking and stuff. *cough cough* Dont' tell my kids. The erodes your teeth, badly.
I'm scared. It's gonna hurt and I don't much like hurt. At least there's a baby at the end of child birth. I just really hope I finally have pretty teeth at the end of this ordeal. But mostly I'm just scared.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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30 comments:
you are one of the strongest women i know and have always been an inspiration. you will pull through this! and remember.....they say it helps to picture the others in their underwear. give it a try....it can't hurt! of course... it could scar you for life, but it might take your mind off of the work to be done.
I will be praying for you!! I also fear the dentist. I can barely sit through a cleaning without being put under.
With today's technology, dentists are a lot different than years ago. It sucks that you have to go through all this though. And I think putting the fear of rotting teeth in to your children might be a good thing. If it keeps the kiddos away from the sauce them tell them excessive drinking rots their teeth. Oh... and another thing, being a woman of close to 50, what exactly is a jaw of a 50 year old? My 48 year old jaw seems to be working just fine for me. Do you know something I don't know? What's going to happen when I hit 50? Except maybe my jaw hitting the floor in shock that I'm that age. ;o)
You might want to look into that sedation dentistry ... good luck!
LOVE the title of this post BTW!
That sounds awful and I hope it isn't as bad as you imagine! I almost shot coffee out of my nose when I saw the post title though. :o)
I'm not a huge fan of the dentist either. I had to have a root canal a few years ago and it was NO FUN! But it was better than dealing with a hurting tooth all the time..so I guess it was worth it! Good Luck!
Ack! You had me shaking just with the title alone! Fingers are crossed for a pain-free outcome!
I hope it goes well for you!! I need to make an appt. too! Good luck to you!!
I have one two more appts. (and $517) before I am all done and back to a 6 month cleaning schedule. Teeth suck, I've dropped $1100 in the past 6 weeks to get them healthy...stupid teeth.
I can totally relate. I haven't been to the dentist in over 10 years. I either couldn't afford dental insurance or didn't work somewhere that offered insurance. I finally have it, and I've been putting off going because I'm scared. When I smile, my teeth look great...but that's because you can't see what's going on in the back. You just made me want to call and make an appointment. Thank you!!!
Good luck and I hope everything goes well.
Good luck on your upcoming appointment. I will definitely keep you in my prayers because I loathe going to the dentist because of the pain. It does not matter how much Novocaine they give me, I still feel everything they are doing to my mouth and I hate it. And no matter how much I brush, floss and take care of them, I have at least one cavity EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!! My kids on the other hand are sketchy at best about brushing and have never had a filling. Rotten kids...I mean good for them.
Good luck and lots of prayers!! Maybe it won't be as bad as you are building it up to be?!?
{{Hugs}}
Oh Heidi...I feel your pain. I have that same mouth full of awfulness myself. A crown actually fell right out of my head about a week and a half ago and I still haven't called the dentist. I know I have root canals and fillings and other icky stuff. Right now I have the guise of pregnancy. I know I still need to get in though. Perhaps you have just emboldened my path.
Good luck...I hope they can do it all in short little stints for you. I despise the dentist, everything about it.
Seriously Heidi, that sounds horrible. That has got to hurt. I am feeling for you sister. Hope it goes better than expected
Ummm...I'm 52. What exactly are you saying about my jaw? LOL
Bless your heart! Praying that the dental work you have done won't be as extensive or as painful as you imagine. Go to a dentist who gives you nitrous oxide. I've heard it's great!
i will smile all day thinking about the title of your post. sorry that you have to face the music. hope they dope you up real good.
I don't blame you...I'm scared for you! I totally hate the dentist soon. I'll pray for you!
Don't much like the dentist myself. I will be praying for you - that it won't be painful and that they will turn out pretty. :-)
This does not sound like fun and its probably for the best. I wish you luck.
I hope it isn't as bad as you think it is going to be.
I'm sure it'll be okay.
But I should talk, I haven't been to the dentist in over 10 years now...
I'm just frightened.
Oh - that does sound scary. But I'm sure it won't be as bad as you expect. That's generally how it works out.
By the way - I LOVE that title.
How aweful for you! I'm glad you're getting your teeth taken care of. I hope you have a kind and gentle dentist. If not, please find one!
Great title, BTW.
I feel for you! There is more money in my mouth than the US mint! and I still have no jaw teeth due to one by one I have lost them. One day I will get my nerve up to get dentures but that is not something I am looking forward to!
Ooh Heidi I wish you well.
I hope it goes well! I've had a lot of teeth pulled (mostly because of my small mouth) and lots of ortho work...ewww
Oh, you poor thing! I hope the visit won't be as bad as you think it will be. I head to the dentist this month for the first time on over six years. I am not excited.
Yuuuuuuccccckkkkkkyyyyy!!! I hope the visit went ok, or at least that Rob and the kids pampered you really well last night. I never had a cavity in my life until after I had kids. They really suck it out of ya!
I'm lucky that I have really strong teeth. No cavities after 42 years and I went 11 years between dental visits.
I'll be praying for it to be painless. Aske them to turn up the laughing gas up high, it helps!
As a veteran of an incredible amount of dental reconstruction in my childhood, I feel your pain.
Had to crack up at the title of this blog though...
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