I don’t know of anyone that likes going to the dentist, but I don’t usually mind it too much. I had stopped going for a while and started again when I realized I needed to do something about the headaches I was getting every morning from grinding my teeth. And I found a dentist that had an office 5 minutes away.
I recently had my third appointment at the nearby dentist and it started off with x-rays. But not just regular x-rays – these were the more “comprehensive” variety that are done every 3-5 years. Since this was only my third time at this practice, I would have expected those to have been done at my first visit. But, since the insurance was paying for it, I didn’t balk.
Except these were really uncomfortable and involved an apparatus that looked like a old-school death-ray shoved into my mouth. The technician said I did a good job once she was finally done and released me from the lead blanket – but she was also a little snarky while it was going on so I wasn’t really excited about her praise.
Also, I’m happy they gave me the lead blanket to protect my torso from x-rays – but I’d also kinda rather not have cancer in my head. So, I dunno what to do about that.
The hygienist made her usual one-sided small talk while cleaning my teeth and I tried to maintain the conversation with both of her hands in my mouth.
- I’m going to bring signs next time – a Yes|No sign should get the job done.
- A tiny mirror, a metal pick, one hose to spray water and one to suck it up. This is the best technology they’ve got, apparently.
When she finished up, she:
- Complimented me on how well I was keeping my teeth free of plaque
- Cautioned me that I was brushing too hard.
Which is really unfair. I also apparently need to get an electric toothbrush.
The dentist then came in and “welcomed me in”. As though I was a new patient. I’m new-ish, but this was my third time being there and I’d seen him the last time I was there.
He asked me a bunch of intro questions – and didn’t write down any of my answers. And he told me that based on the wear on my teeth and the shininess of my old fillings that I likely grind my teeth and it’s good that I have a mouth guard.
Which I got from that practice. It was a little surreal.
Oh and he asked me when was the last time I had been to the dentist. Which I answered “six months”
Either make the effort to get to know me – and write something down – or just skip it, okay? Sigh.
Everything was ultimately fine and I guess that’s the best result I could have.
I left the appointment with clean teeth – but feeling salty.