My Trip to the Dentist

Sigh……dentist offices make me…..uncomfortable…..

This is partly due to the fact that practically every memory I have of going to the dentist growing up includes some element of pain, or a follow-up visit where excessive pain was experienced. And yes, regular ‘check-up’ cleanings were painful for me! I mean, those metal tools…..and all the scraping and picking at my poor little gums!!!! THE AGONY! :P

Just walking into the dentist’s office can set me on edge. I think it’s the smell. I feel immediately tense the moment I walk through the door and my nose registers that…..medicinal…..dentist…smell. It is completely different from doctor’s offices and hospitals.

Well, by now you can probably guess that I went to the dentist. Yep, that was my lunchtime fun for today. [can we do it again, huh, huh, huh?? :P] It is the first ‘bi-annual’ checkup that I have had in I think like 3 or 4 years [not very consistent with my checkups]. I have been having MAJOR jaw trouble over the past few years that has gotten considerably worse here lately, so I thought a cleaning was in order, then I could inform the dentist to see what he thought.

On the bright side, I was told that I have very pretty, healthy teeth [and a beautiful smile :D…. 'why thank you!’ said I….;)], no cavities [HALLELUJAH!!], and ok gums [I need to floss more regularly….don’t we all!].

On the not so bright side…….I have severe, advanced TMJ, which fortunately due to my young age probably has not become a permanent joint problem; but, it could go that way if not attended to soon. Great.

So guess what Sarah gets??? Tell her what’s behind door number one, Bob! I am the lucky winner of…….an interior splint. What is this interior splint you may ask? Quite simply, something I will have to wear in my mouth that is going to give me a loverly LISP. Yeshhh, I willshh be ssthatsh girl withsh the sshcute lishhhp. At least until I get used to it. This splint hopefully will correct the jaw problems [and GET RID OF THE PAIN!!!!!], while protecting my bicuspids [love that word…:)] which the dentist says are being worn down by either clenching, grinding, or just the way my jaw sits. And if this doesn’t fix it…….I will have to move to the world of orthodontia.....

Yippee skippy…..bring on the dental appliances….. :P