tasting.... tasting... is this thing on?

[susandennis]

I am getting seriously bummed about this tasting problem. I've decided that it's periodontal disease. If you were to seriously look at my mouth (which you would really not want to) you would see that my teeth are pretty much held in there by plaque. They (the teeth) are not loose which is pretty amazing but I'm still sure that there is something horrible going on in there that is affecting my ability to taste food like I use to (or anywhere close to it).

So I'm giving some thought to going to a dentist. I'm no where near the making the appoint stage. I'm googling Seattle dentists who appear with the words Sedation and Anesthesia. I've found two viable candidates. I'm not quite ready to do anything more yet, but I'm getting close. My plan was to wait until one of the following:

1. I am in pain
2. I have a job past June
3. The tasting thing gets more badder than the fear of dental pain - physical and fiscal

Then I found www.doctorspiller.com. I've had dentists and others threaten me with what will happen if I don't take better care of my mouth. Honestly, even the threat of heart disease does not impress me. I stand a better chance of inheriting that anyway. I've always had, in the back of my mind, this thing about 'how bad can dentures be, anyway?' I mean the people in denture adhesive commercials don't look like they are suffering. I dated a guy once who had a full set of upper dentures. He ate fine. But good old doctorspiller has pretty much shot my denture theories to hell with his Dentures Yes or No page. I'm really sorry that I found it and sorrier still that I read it.

I may well be closer to making an appointment than I think. Ugh. I have several friends on my friends list who have recently been through the dental wares and I so admire that you did it.

Comments

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

I hadn't been to the dentist in over a decade before I got dental insurance at this job. I was sure my teeth were going to be bad. I had one little itty bitty cavity and nothing else. And I found a dentist that understands my fear of needles. Good luck!

[canyoncat.livejournal.com]

Nobody likes the dentist, it's sort of like the Spanish Inquisition, but it is important to take care of your teeth.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

I know one of the friends pretty well!!

It has been a year, and I am winding down. Hopefully almost finished. I only had two teeth extracted, the rest were cleaned and/or restored. I also bleached them, just to give myself a little lift for being a good girl.

This was all after 30+ years of no dental attention at all.

I have to say: Not once has my dentist hurt me. I am amazed to say it, but it is true. My mouth feels so much better. They can fix teeth you would never believe could be fixed. (I refused any crowns or root canals, but it really was not an issue)

The most uncomfortable thing I had done was having them cleaned the second or third time. (The first cleaning was deep and my whole mouth was numbed.)

Because where I live is rural, the cost was not nearly what it would be in a city.

Once you go the first time, you will be better each visit. It really does get easier.

If you have any other concerns or if I can help in any way, let me know.

This is something I really know about.

(You are braver than me. Pain caused me to go)

[susandennis]

Oh all that is so good to know. Thanks so much.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

You are such a good LJ friend. Always good input and even your movie recommendations are great.

Thanks for being so supportive.

[hlee.livejournal.com]

If you do go you might be surprised at how much more energy you have. At least that's been my experience.

[susandennis]

Now, that's the kind of stuff I need to hear... thanks!

Ask around!!

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

We found this dentist by asking around and are not sorry.

[geordie.livejournal.com]

Where do you find your graphics?

My ex (Diane of 1988-91) had dentures from age 13. She had soft teeth for whatever reason and they just pulled the entire set in one go.

Not ideal but better than 20 years dental patchwork.

[susandennis]

I collect graphics from all over. Lately it's been very easy just to snag them as I go. This morning I just went to Google Images and put in "dentures" and this baby popped up about 3rd on the page.

That's amazing about your ex and her dentures. Wow. I do figure that whatever happens, I've at least enjoyed many years of not having to fuck with dentists! I do hope that I can find one, like the one you mentioned, who enjoys challenges like me.

[katbyte.livejournal.com]

If you don't like the dentist, trust me, get another one. No sense in going to one you don't like. Especially if they are judgmental.

No need for any bullshit.

I actually really like my dentist, and I think he actually cares about his patients.

I am not so sure about sedation though. I actually asked him for some and he said he never had to use it. (He was right) I never was put to sleep, so don't know about that part.

[geordie.livejournal.com]

See now, if that was really how one interracted with dentists I'd be a lot more inclined to go. My ex's sister was my dentist. Hmm. What a concept. I'll smile about that thought for a while. I couldn't see male dentists being as popular though.