Dental.

[the_eggwhite]

So, for those who are unaware, I'm a dental horror. I've had a dentist comment on how my teeth appear to be made of something roughly the consistency of cheese, and that they basically seem to fall apart regardless of what I do to take care of them. I'm also a very nervous dental patient, but cover it well whilst I'm in the chair.

I've tried two local dentists in the past two years, neither of whom were up to much. The first was hideously expensive for private work (which I need) and I was only signed up due to the private scheme I was on at the time (which I'm not on anymore as my dental insurance changed). The second one didn't seem to care for anything except getting more money out of me, and I'm not happy with half of the work he did.

Combined with the anxiety and insomnia problems, I've not been getting proper dental treatment for a couple of years - a couple of emergency appointments, but not much ongoing work.

One of the dentists right near where I live is taking on new patients. They specialise in nervous & problem patients, so I've signed up, as I think I count as both.

My first appointment is on Valentines Day... and they say romance is dead!

Comments

[muppethex.livejournal.com]

I (eventually) found Harewood in Virginia Water, which did a lot of work for me at the time (as I'd left it a long time between dentist trips) and its lasted well. Cost quite a bit at the time, but then there was a lot to do. Only complaint I might bring is the lady that did my teeth didn't have a massive amount of strength and could have done the one extraction I needed faster. Still, they took out a lot of nasty mercury muck that previous NHS dentists had put in. It's scandalous that you couldn't get non amalgam fillings on the NHS and people had to put up with toxic metals in their bodies.

[themadone.livejournal.com]

I say it's never been alive? :)

[eggwhite.livejournal.com]

I'd do a lot better with dental work if they'd just shove me under a general anaesthetic and let me wake up when it's done.

Dental work is about the only medical thing that freaks me out these days (other than minor surgery on my toes whilst I'm conscious and facing them, which freaks me out a bit too), and that's more to do with the fact that I can't clear my mouth of saliva whilst they work and so always feel like I'm drowning!

[muppethex.livejournal.com]

I think you're just supposed to swallow anyway. I try and hold off as long as possible but I figure they can't complain if I've tried my best. Also if you have to swallow it signals to the assistant there who is supposed to be sucking up all the saliva that she needs to pay more attention :)

[cryx]

Good luck with the teethy stuff!

[eggwhite.livejournal.com]

The "actually looking after my teeth" habit is the one I always find hardest to get back after I've lost it, so it's a good sign that I've bitten the bullet and started to sort it.

I'm still worried that I might balk and flee from the dentist's reaction to my teeth. I may have to institute a reward scheme for actually going to the dentist to make sure I actually stick out the inevitable treatment plan...

[cryx]

sounds like a plan. Also good is that you've told us about it....