The Saga of a Tooth Lost-Chapters 1-3
February 24, 2010
I’m just back from the unhappy experience of being at the dentist. Now, don’t get me wrong-I’m very happy to be ABLE to go to the dentist. I know that I need to be grateful for dental coverage. But the appointment and the reason behind it were NOT happy events.
So, let’s go back about 3 years and I’ll tell my tale…
Chapter 1
Pain! Lots of pain while chewing and drinking. Hot-ouch! Cold-ouch! Something must be wrong. I think I’ll ignore it. After-all, I DO have 2 sides to my mouth and only 1 of them is painful. Solution-simply use the other side…only! This chapter lasted about a year.
Chapter 2
Pain! Too much pain! It’s time to call the dentist. I’ve been avoiding one side of my mouth for about a year and there really must be something that should be done. Right? So, I made the dreaded phone call (mind you, I take the kids to the dentist regularly. But for myself, there always seems to be a good excuse.) and scheduled an appointment. At the appointment I was severely scolded for having waited so long and informed that I was in need of a root canal.
~DREAD~
The procedure was scheduled and carried out. It was a 2 appointment procedure. I was told that all went well. ~sigh of relief~
Now…let’s forget about my stupid teeth and get on with life! And THAT is JUST what I did.
Chapter 3
Pain!
Why oh why is there pain in the area of the tooth that had the root canal?! I MUST have something stuck. Better floss EXTRA well…again and again and again. And that is just what I did.
Over the next 4 months I would have that thought from time to time. I’d floss, brush, rinse and then forget about it until it bugged me again. 2 weeks ago my tooth decided to talk to me and tell me it was no longer going to allow me to ignore it. I spoke gently to it saying, “be well little tooth. You have had a root canal and are fine. You may look different from my other teeth, but you’re going to be ok. I will give you a break and I’ll (once again) chew on the other side of my mouth. Will that make you happy?” Little tooth quieted down and enjoyed the rest. But 4 days ago it yelled at me saying, “STOP ignoring me and patronizing me! I don’t want rest. I want attention!” Then the gum around the tooth started to swell. After 1 day of swelling and pain I called the dentist (on a Sunday). I explained everything and was put on antibiotics until I could come in for an appointment.
Appointment time! So…the dentist greeted me and got right to work. “Oh. Oh my. Let’s get an x-ray of this. My my…Oh Mrs. Lang, this is not good. Let me show you”.
My tooth has broken…in half and must be removed! Apparently that root canal was to be followed by a crown. This was an appointment I never made and frankly, forgot about. Now, here I am 2 years later facing oral surgery and the removal of a tooth that can not be saved. I’m more than a little freaked out!
Chapter 4 to come soon. I must stay on the antibiotics until the surgery, so you can bet it will be in a week or so.
*grumbling* Have a great day~
6 comments
I had a molar removed a couple of years ago after it broke in half. I hate the dentist… Avoid it all costs. I got a lot of shit from Scott for not going for a while when I have dental insurance so I finally made an appointment a couple of weeks ago and went in. Turns out I have four cavities and need a root canal which I’m going in for tomorrow morning. Dreading it! At least they will give me valium and nitrous. Good luck with the rest of your procedures.
…ew.
and you talk to your teeth?
*shaking my finger* quit putting yourself at the bottom of the totem pole! You need to take care of yourself
as unpleasant as the dentist is!
That was a GREAT blog! I really felt like I was a super tiny Ms. Frizzle (from the Magic School Bus) and heard all these conversations between you and your tooth! I’m sorry for all your pain but that made for some good readin’!
One of my wisdom teeth was really bad a couple of years ago and the dentist said it had to come out. I begged and begged and she finally agreed to try to fill it, but it crumbled away during the attempt, and she had to remove it after all. After being so terrified of having a tooth pulled, I was extremely surprised at how immediately and completely the pain was gone, and has never come back! So…it doesn’t HAVE to be bad, and yes, dental insurance is a very good thing, something I have not taken for granted all these years in Europe, knowing that in the U.S. it’s not at all guaranteed. (And Germans whine about the once-a-quarter co-pay of about 15 dollars, only to be paid if one actually goes to a doctor…I don’t have any sympathy, when I know my parents have to pay the first 5000 dollars of anything and everything medical each year…)
Hi Jen, Your mom posted your blog and I love reading it. My son and daughter in law have 4 children, I grew up in a family of 7. My grandmother had 14 and she told me that she lost a tooth with every child. Of course I didn’t believe it but to date I have lost 3 and I have three children. Take care of yourself. You are a fantastic mom.
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