Don’t Forget to Brush!

Growing up I hated the family dentist… Actually, I don’t think that hate is a strong enough word in this scenario – I abominated the dentist!!!

He had an identical twin brother and I never knew which one I was going to see, not that it really mattered because they looked exactly the same! The only difference was one would talk to me about wanting to set me up with his son who was my age – I was like 8-9!? Seriously, who wanted to be set-up at that age anyway!

Random note: Okay, so maybe he knew me a little bit better than the other one… I was in kindergarten when I had my first “boyfriend’ and never thought that boys had cooties. Also, had I seen a picture of his son I would have immediately jumped at the chance! I met his son a few years later when my family moved and I transferred schools… He was a hottie!

Let’s see…. Where was I? Oh yes… The dentist!

My mother would force me into the car for a trip to Vernal and I dreaded every passing mile that brought me closer to their office. As soon as the door was opened, you would smell laughing gas. To this day, I can still smell it… Ick!

He would check things out and then if there was work to be done he would put on the gas. I hated that stuff – really hated it! He would always ask if I wanted it and I would always say NO! His reply was always that kids loved this stuff and I should just let him give it to me anyway… It really didn’t matter what I thought or said he would put the mask on anyway! Then for the next what felt like hours I would be breathing this nasty gas that made me feel like I was leaving my body behind – I never felt like laughing, I felt like crying! It was awful!!!

Fast Forward to college….

I went to my cousin’s husband who was a dentist in the area and he checked things out and I had to have a cavity filled. He proceeded to give me a shot and while the needle was in my mouth I felt a crazy shock go from my mouth to my head. I could literally trace its path with my finger. I jumped and he asked if I felt a shock, I told him yes. He asked that I trace it with my finger and when I did he left. He came back with another dentist and had me trace the path again – at this point I was SUPER nervous! I thought that I was going to have a blood clot and it would follow that path to my brain and I would be dead within the hour. I never understood what exactly happened that day – all I know is that literally half of my entire head was numb. There was a definite line on the left side starting at the top of my head all the way down my neck that was completely numb! I never went back!
Fast forward to today almost 10 years later…
Went to the dentist for the first time after having paid for dental insurance for the past four years. I tried, made appointments, couldn’t get my hands to let go of my steering wheel when I needed to go inside. But, I am almost 30! I am suppose to be a big girl and be able to go to the dentist by myself.
So, I made an appointment and actually went inside! I told myself that I would buy a new outfit complete with shoes if I would just go! Rewards really work for me! ;)
Three dentists and about six months later – I am starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I have experienced infections, abscessed teeth, root canals, crowns, bridges – and sadly I am not even done.
If I could go back right now and change anything – I would definitely have changed my dental hygiene habit to make it even better. I always brushed, but am terrible with flossing! Well, that has changed….
For the next little while I will be nursing not only my mouth, but also my pocketbook back to health… Good grief dental work is expensive!!!

I did it!!!

I DID IT!!! I am proud to say that I scheduled an appointment with the dentist!

After eight years of not going to the dentist and two years of paying for dental insurance - I finally decided to try and conquer my fear.

My appointment is in a week and a half... All I have to work on now is actually leaving my car and getting in the office. I did tell the receptionist that I was scared to death of the dentist... I also told her that if I was late, to look out in the parking lot and find the girl rocking back and forth terrified in her car, that will most likely be me.

My theme song for the day! Thanks to my niece the Dora song popped into my head and I did the Dora "We did it" dance in my office! :)

Hurting!

Well, I have been out of commission for a while now!

I have been sick for the last little bit - 100.4 fever finally left after 24 hours - still trying to get over the sore throat! I was afraid that my brain was cooking itself, but VERY grateful to see that no damage has been done... I think? If this post doesn't make sense to anyone then I guess I better call up the doc!

I have been given a lot of down time, something last week I wished for! I feel like I found Aladdin's lamp, rubbed it, Genie granted my wish - but I forgot to add "and not due to illness" at the end.

I went to the Lab and was informed it wasn't strep - dang! I just wanted something, aka drugs, to make me feel all better... So, this little ugly virus is still working it's way through my system.

My boss called and told me that she felt I needed to be told that I shouldn't come to work until next week, because I am such a dedicated worker. Wow! I didn't realize I actually needed someone to tell me to stay home, but it really relieved some stress. Thankfully, I have had a great person at the office to cover while I have been out. I really owe him big time, because like me, he was covering two jobs BUT on top of that his own position at night (LONG HOURS)!

I have been doing some research online about sore throats because mine is STILL really hurting. And then I found something that got me a little worried. Apparently, a bad tooth can cause some major health issues. I don't think that I have bad teeth - at least not from my perspective - but I haven't been to a dentist in about six or so years. Therefore, what IF this is from dental issues? I was so worried that I ALMOST looked up my dentist's name and thought about making an appointment. Well, I still need to work on that fear... which is a whole blog itself!

Alright - I've written and worried enough for now! Wish me luck because I am scheduled to speak in my ward on Sunday... Eek!