Leahey.org

Well, tis all over and done with. The first appointment, that is.

Like I said, hadn’t been to a dentist in ~10 years. I have 5 teeth that need “restoration” and they are all minor fillings, if I understood the dentist correctly. I went in for a cleaning and x-rays, but got a deep scaling and x-rays. Everyone kept telling me my teeth were surprisingly good for 10 years away. I told them my semi-anal brushing habits, which were part of my plan to avoid the dentist for….ever.

The worst part of the whole ordeal was probably the hygienist showing me how to brush to alleviate my gum problems. Kinda embarrassing.

Anyway. I won’t lie, the scaling was a little rough. I got some sav slapped on my front teeth and they went to work. There wasn’t any pain, per se, there was just this edge-of-your-seat anticipation of pain. I was sure any minute I was going to go through the roof, but alas, I did not.

All in all the worst part of the whole thing was the scratches I got on the inside of my mouth under my tongue from biting down on that nasty little plastic x-ray film holder.

I have an appointment next Wednesday for 2 or 3 fillings, and then will need another one after that to fix the other 2 or 3 teeth. At which point, for all intents in purposes, I will be done. From there I hope to get a referral to the orthodontist across the street, and move on from there.

I have to say, I am a little nervous about the needles for the fillings. I *hate* needles. I mean like, push people over, knock down the dentist, punch the hygienist and dive through the window kinda hate. For some odd reason the idea of a needle in the gum doesn’t bother me, though, so I think I’ll be okay.

I am insanely glad that I don’t need any root canals, though my dentist was nice enough that I don’t think it would have been so bad if I did.

I am really glad I went today, as my teeth are much whiter (haha) and I now have a clear-cut path ahead of me to where I want to be, straightville.

My gums are a little sore, but I reckon that is to be expected. They are devoid of the bacteria that had been plaguing them for the past 10+ years. Its almost a welcome pain.