Toothache again
Sigh.
I've been sick for the past week. Nothing very serious. Just a cough and runny nose. The first day, I had a massive headache, but I'm thinking that was just stress from work.
Now, I'm having problems with my teeth again. A while back, I was having pain in the back of my mouth where my wisdom teeth used to be. I put hydrogen peroxide on the area, and it seemed to get better. Then, Sunday, all of sudden, I started feeling terrible pain when I tried to eat, especially when the food was very hot or cold. Essentially, I can't chew anything on the left side of my mouth now, and, the rest of the time, I feel a dull ache.
Naturally, I called the dentist on Monday morning. The receptionist asked me if I was in "excruciating pain," and I said, truthfully, "Well, only when I eat." Then she asked if it was sensitive to hot and cold. I said, "Yes." She said she would have to consult the office manager. After waiting on hold for five minutes, she said, "We have an appointment available on May 28th." When I mentioned that ten days is a long time to go with this much pain, she said, "Well, I'll put you on the waiting list. If someone cancels, we'll give you a call."
Now, everyone is telling me I should have told her I was in excruciating pain, and I should call back and insist that they give me an appointment in the next few days. Fortunately, I'm the kind of person who doesn't have to eat a lot. I can get by on one meal a day. But, the non-eating pain, while "dull," is not negligible, either. Am I being selfish to insist that they see me sooner? I don't want to be "that difficult patient." And, if it turns out to be nothing, I'll feel bad...
Oh, lord, I sound just like my mother!
Maybe I'll call back and ask them if they can suggest some home treatment while I'm waiting, even if it's just something to lessen the pain. Or maybe they can recommended another dentist. Despite my high tolerance for pain and my ability to carry on with minimal food intake, I'd rather not spend the next nine days in this situation.
I've been sick for the past week. Nothing very serious. Just a cough and runny nose. The first day, I had a massive headache, but I'm thinking that was just stress from work.
Now, I'm having problems with my teeth again. A while back, I was having pain in the back of my mouth where my wisdom teeth used to be. I put hydrogen peroxide on the area, and it seemed to get better. Then, Sunday, all of sudden, I started feeling terrible pain when I tried to eat, especially when the food was very hot or cold. Essentially, I can't chew anything on the left side of my mouth now, and, the rest of the time, I feel a dull ache.
Naturally, I called the dentist on Monday morning. The receptionist asked me if I was in "excruciating pain," and I said, truthfully, "Well, only when I eat." Then she asked if it was sensitive to hot and cold. I said, "Yes." She said she would have to consult the office manager. After waiting on hold for five minutes, she said, "We have an appointment available on May 28th." When I mentioned that ten days is a long time to go with this much pain, she said, "Well, I'll put you on the waiting list. If someone cancels, we'll give you a call."
Now, everyone is telling me I should have told her I was in excruciating pain, and I should call back and insist that they give me an appointment in the next few days. Fortunately, I'm the kind of person who doesn't have to eat a lot. I can get by on one meal a day. But, the non-eating pain, while "dull," is not negligible, either. Am I being selfish to insist that they see me sooner? I don't want to be "that difficult patient." And, if it turns out to be nothing, I'll feel bad...
Oh, lord, I sound just like my mother!
Maybe I'll call back and ask them if they can suggest some home treatment while I'm waiting, even if it's just something to lessen the pain. Or maybe they can recommended another dentist. Despite my high tolerance for pain and my ability to carry on with minimal food intake, I'd rather not spend the next nine days in this situation.