A trip to the dentist

 I may be one of the few people who actually look forward to going to the dentist.  I do.  And I will tell you that is a complete 180 from my childhood.  No offense meant, Dr. Gibson. I used to be petrified of the dentist, especially having to get a cavity filled.  The very sight of that needle would send me into fits.  Thankfully, I am no longer that person!  I have always had issues with my teeth; there is no denying that. But as an adult they got worse.  I have had a lot of work done on my teeth over the past 20 years. But I never really had a regular dentist for more than a year until now. 

When I started seeing my PCP several years ago due to my high blood pressure, I once asked her if she could recommend a dentist to me.  She could not officially recommend anyone but told me that she went to a Dr. Welch here in town.  I set up an appointment with his office for later that month.  And I have been going there ever since.  Everyone in that office is so nice and accommodating.  Dr. Welch referred me to my periodontist, Dr. Tanner, who is also great but now retired.  Well deserved. Anyway, whenever I go into the dentist office now, I am not filled with anxiety and dread.  What is to be is to be when it comes to my teeth and I know they will take good care of me there.  Every procedure I have had done has been a good experience.  Even when it meant losing a tooth.  Ah, well.

I had to go to his office earlier this week because of an infection in one of my back teeth.  Let me tell you it hurt like hell.  But we discussed the options, and he was very open about what I needed to do.  I will be going back to see my periodontist office once they have reviewed the x-rays.  Thankfully I got a prescription to help with the infection, and it is definitely working. I am grateful that they could work me in because I was having a difficult time eating and sometimes the pain was so bad I thought I was going to be sick.  I tend to have a high tolerance for pain but not when it comes to my teeth.  Strange LOL. Still, it was a great experience as always and I look forward to my next appointment in several months.  

It is just nice not to fear going to the dentist anymore.  It makes me feel more like a responsible adult for developing this relationship and sticking with it for a change.  That is all.