Apr
22
Oh, The Pain
Posted by 4T at 13:44 | Filed In Health After 40, Life After 40
I had a bone density test, as suggested after you reach a certain age, and the results were fine. I take calcium pills because I don’t get enough from my diet. So why are my teeth in such bad condition? I know that heredity has something to do with it, but this is ridiculous! After 45, my teeth began to crack and chip like candy. I’ve had some serious pain, followed by numerous root canals, followed by caps. Can you smell the money? Aside from the expense, the time spent out of work has been major. With all this experience you would think that I could handle any procedure with ease, but not so. I’ve become more fearful, and anxious.
The first question I ask is where is the nitrous oxide? I hate the Novocaine and the after effect. I think that is why I wait so long now when I start to feel pain. I try to will it away, and take a number of Ibuprofen too. Recently, I was having jaw pain that just intensified. After the dreaded trip to the dentist I learned that I needed 5 teeth extracted. Not one of my proudest moments when I whined like a three year old. The extractions were done after I had been totally sedated, so that was not so bad. It was the recovery that was Hell! Ice packs for swelling, Ibuprofen or more for pain, sleeping upright for the oozing.
The ice packs worked at first, but the pain pills made me sick to my stomach, or maybe it was the antibiotics. You should eat with those right? Well that wasn’t happening since I had cavernous holes on both sides of my mouth. On the third day after surgery, the pain was getting worse and I was experiencing swelling on one side of my face. You guessed it – dry socket. This required another trip to the dentist with my anxiety in tow. OK, a few days later and I was much better.
I guess my point is this: age and experience does not bring quicker healing and less trepidation when it comes to dentistry.
