Finally saw a dentist

[LmarieS]

I’ve only posted once or twice, but thought I should share what I consider my success story. I hadn’t been to the dentist in more than 17 years (I am 57) and finally had to go on an emergency appointment due to infected roots. I’ve lost a lot of teeth overt the years, but with little pain and zero desire to go to a dentist about it, so I have a lot of left over roots. Anyway, I hadn’t already had a couple rounds of antibiotics by way of TelMed doctors, but decided I couldn’t keep doing the same thing (definition of insanity?). I made an appointment via the dentists website at 3 in the morning as I was suffering in severe pain and a seriously swollen face. I had to have a good friend go in with me the next morning, I cried, and they sent me off to an oral surgeon. Less than 20 minutes at the surgeon’s office and my mouth was minus 3 infected roots. I survived at least 6 shots in my gums and the dreadful sounds of roots letting loose, but I did survive! My mouth bled and bled and I thought I was going back because they wouldn’t stop bleeding. Of course the bleeding stopped, the swelling went down and then it was time to see the dentist again. I almost backed out of my appointment after freaking out about having to face people who had seen the inside of my mouth. I spoke with my support friend and she talked me down and I went in. All they did was X-rays and an exam and made another appointment. Went in for a deep cleaning, the hygienist did my whole mouth instead of quadrants because there are so few teeth left, all four areas are very few teeth (it actually became a running joke between the hygienist and myself). I told her and my dentist, if I had met them before being treated by one horrible dentist after another, I would never have ended up with the mouth full of mess I have now. They were amazing! I had a bunch of shots and barely felt any of them. I am actually looking forward to my next appointments and especially the ones that will restore my smile and my self esteem. I can’t begin to express how important it is finding the right dentist. It truly makes all the difference in the world!

 

[Hopeful1]

That's a lovely story and very inspiring! I'm currently terrified to even look at a dental website but it sounds like you were treated by respectful professionals

 

[LmarieS]

@Hopeful1, it is amazing the difference having a dentist who actually cares about her patients can make. I thought about the trauma I could have prevented had I only attempted to even talk to a different dentist, but that’s in the past and I have to keep moving forward. I have a long ways to go, but I’m confident I am well on my way! I wish I could take away your fears with words, but I don’t think it works that way. We have to find the strength within ourselves and take a leap of faith. That or have a horribly abscessed tooth or two and force the issue. Please don’t let your health be affected by uncaring dentists, like I did. It’s scary how quickly things can go from, well I don’t have any pain, to, omg, I can’t see out of my eye because my face is so swollen. There is a dentist out there who can help.