The Dentist
So I haven't been to a dentist since I was little. I say thank goodness for pretty good teeth? I dunno. But the other day outta nowhere, I got this horrid toothache that had me popping advils, tylenols, aleves, whatever I can find for hours. It was late and all I could do was try to find some home remedies. Went out and got this kit that people recommended which came with clove oil. Stung like a bitch! Seriously burns and numbs your mouth with just a jab of that stuff >_< I tried to sleep but the pain literally woke me up every three hours. By 2am, I woke up again and the pain was gone. However the swelling of the left side of my face was what's bugging me then. Soaked a towel with cold water and laid that on. Woke up and it felt a little better... only to have it swell right back up again. However I got through work yesterday since it didn't totally hurt or anything. Couldn't get in for a dentist appointment. I hate their hours. I hate doctors.
Today the swelling was still there no matter if I had an ice pack on there or not. Called and made an appointment for 11am this morning. The receptionist and everyone was really nice. The dentist actually had to do a partial x-ray and then a full head x-ray because the tooth wasn't really hurting but the swelling was mostly between the corner of my left eye and nose _o_ (that's gonna cost...). He came back with the decision to either extract the tooth with the infection or to do a root canal. Well obviously I didn't want either but with a root canal I can at least save the tooth. I've heard horror stories about root canals so I was really braving for the worst. Of course I had to ask "do I need to have a needle stuck in my mouth for this?" and the answer was yes. Now lemme tell you, when I was little I had bad teeth. The last visit to the dentist then resulted in a needle in the mouth. I was squeezing the assistant's hand so hard I thought it was gonna break. But the dentist this time assurred me that technology and medicine has advanced and that it definitely shouldn't be like that last experience. So yes the needle still hurt but not as bad as I remembered it from childhood. The root canal actually did not hurt since I was totally numb and couldn't really feel much.
Looking in the mirror, my face looked worse than before (and thanks Katy for letting me know so XD). Dropped off my prescriptions at the pharmacy since the dentist was like two small doors down from work. Went upstairs to drop off my doctors note (yes, we still need those) to get out of work today and let my store director know. So they said I COULD work today but never having to take prescribed meds since I was little and having to go through such a procedure, I didn't want to risk it. That was a good move on my part since it's now 6pm (I got back around 1pm) and have already had 2 servings of penicillin and vicodin >_< I had a night shift tonight but I don't think I would have made it through anyway. Called my parents to let them know what's going on and now I'm TRYING to eat something. Since the toothache, I've had no appetite at all.
I'm seriously grateful for all the support people have shown me over these past few days. Friends, people at work, and some of the customers too. Made me feel better knowing that people are concerned and hope that I get better soon. Thank you!
Today the swelling was still there no matter if I had an ice pack on there or not. Called and made an appointment for 11am this morning. The receptionist and everyone was really nice. The dentist actually had to do a partial x-ray and then a full head x-ray because the tooth wasn't really hurting but the swelling was mostly between the corner of my left eye and nose _o_ (that's gonna cost...). He came back with the decision to either extract the tooth with the infection or to do a root canal. Well obviously I didn't want either but with a root canal I can at least save the tooth. I've heard horror stories about root canals so I was really braving for the worst. Of course I had to ask "do I need to have a needle stuck in my mouth for this?" and the answer was yes. Now lemme tell you, when I was little I had bad teeth. The last visit to the dentist then resulted in a needle in the mouth. I was squeezing the assistant's hand so hard I thought it was gonna break. But the dentist this time assurred me that technology and medicine has advanced and that it definitely shouldn't be like that last experience. So yes the needle still hurt but not as bad as I remembered it from childhood. The root canal actually did not hurt since I was totally numb and couldn't really feel much.
Looking in the mirror, my face looked worse than before (and thanks Katy for letting me know so XD). Dropped off my prescriptions at the pharmacy since the dentist was like two small doors down from work. Went upstairs to drop off my doctors note (yes, we still need those) to get out of work today and let my store director know. So they said I COULD work today but never having to take prescribed meds since I was little and having to go through such a procedure, I didn't want to risk it. That was a good move on my part since it's now 6pm (I got back around 1pm) and have already had 2 servings of penicillin and vicodin >_< I had a night shift tonight but I don't think I would have made it through anyway. Called my parents to let them know what's going on and now I'm TRYING to eat something. Since the toothache, I've had no appetite at all.
I'm seriously grateful for all the support people have shown me over these past few days. Friends, people at work, and some of the customers too. Made me feel better knowing that people are concerned and hope that I get better soon. Thank you!