Day at the Dentist…
So, I went to see a dentist today. I have Sjögren’s… which does a number on one’s teeth (and eyes, and skin…) and I have been living with lots of mouth pain for a few years now, but it has become very bad recently. An amazing friend generously offered to pay for me to go (I don’t have dental coverage) so today was the introductory visit for x-rays and to see what needs to be done.
It was a bit scary for me, as I had suffered some pretty bad dental trauma back in 2006 and I get panicked just thinking about going to a dentist now. (The trauma incident I suffered was something very dangerous that could have killed me… so my apprehension wasn’t just a simple case of me being a scaredy-cat). I knew I needed to summon up some bravery to just go through with it, however, because I knew I needed help.
This dentist was recommended to me by another dental group I’d initially tried to see (they were booked solid into next year). They said they recommend this dentist to people who have past dental trauma with anxiety/panic issues. I have to say, I am very pleased so far. The staff were lovely, and the dentist was kind, thorough, understanding, and patient. The best part? THEY HAVE AN EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOGGIE!!! Yes, I got to sit with the sweetest little furball in my lap. He curled up and went to sleep on me. He’s an adorable wee Shih-Tzu called Winston!
As it turns out, I need several more visits to address the many fillings that have worn away, and I need to also get fillings for present cavities. Additionally, I need a two-part deep cleaning treatment for periodontal issues. There’s another tooth they are keeping an eye on that will likely need a crown at some point. So yeah… I’m looking at some substantial dental work, but honestly, it was NOT as bad as I had thought. I feared they would need to pull some teeth. Whew!
I was told that I also will have multiple options to help keep me comfortable for all the upcoming dental work. They can sedate me, give me the “laughing” gas, or any number of solutions to enable me to be able to tolerate being worked on without having flashback panic attacks. I loved that they seemed to go out of their way to ensure my confidence and comfort levels. I had taken the old photos with me of how I looked after the traumatic incident in 2006. The dentist was shocked and so was his tech. I think the visual helped them to FULLY understand my anxiety, and they made sure I felt comfortable throughout my visit today. They also said I could have Winston sit with me again through my upcoming procedures. Yay!
I was instructed by the dentist to get a particular electric toothbrush that would address many of the issues I have because of the Sjögrens (I’ve added it to my Amazon wishlist because that sucker isn’t cheap!) I also had to have some $22 prescription toothpaste. 😬 But I am hoping it will help. Fingers crossed and all that.
I won’t be able to start all of the treatments until just after the New Year, as they were booked up before then. I think I am okay with that. I am in a lot of pain and discomfort, but I have the prescription toothpaste to try over the next month… and I have to just sort of wish, hope, and pray that someone might be able to get that toothbrush for me. I have a Water Pik and it is AMAZING… but the dentist seems to think I need this toothbrush alongside it. He’s the expert, so that’s what I hope to be able to do at some point. Maybe I can just sort of take the month of December to TRY and enjoy the holidays, as well as to work on my side-hustle attempts. Now that I know the dental stuff isn’t AS BAD as I had thought (it’s bad… but I truly thought I had some infection in my gums and/or needed some teeth pulled), maybe that will be one less thing for me to stress over. I sure hope so!
Overall though, I am just elated with the way the visit went today, and with how lovely the dentist and staff were. Kindness goes a long way, folks… it really does, and I, for one, truly appreciate people like that.