When the Dentist Strikes

Honestly, I’m one of the many people who think the word ‘dentist’ is synonymous to pain. I don’t have perfect teeth. I know I have to have braces, extractions, and many other dental services but no, I don’t want to. I’d rather have ugly teeth than to go to a dental clinic. Pathetic me.

Dental phobia, odontophobia, dentophobia, dentist phobia, or dental anxiety. Call it whatever you want.

However just a while ago, I reluctantly went to the dentist to have one of my molar teeth extracted. Mind you, this was not an easy decision. It took me more time to decide about it than when I was deciding what course to take up in college.

While waiting for the dentist’s secretary to call my name, I was imagining ways on how to postpone this dental appointment one more time. I was like, “will they reschedule this if I start having a mental breakdown of sort?” Plain crazy.

Then came the point of no return (or escape to be more appropriate). The dentist made sit on the “operating chair” and injected (OUCH!) anesthesia three times. Then she went for her snack leaving me on the room alone and nervous. NOBODY SHOULD LEAVE ME ALONE WHEN I’M NERVOUS.

When the dentist came back, another patient (a kid) was already in the room too. The kid and his mom were gonna watch me cry in front of the dentist. I didn’t care.

Sigh. After ten minutes and several hundred pesos, my God forsaken tooth was removed. I was safe from death. Luckily, the anesthesia actually worked so I felt very little pain.

Then came another problem. I was supposed to travel for an hour to my boarding house in a bus with some bags. Heck, my gum was bleeding, I was salivating like crazy, and I was biting a cotton ball.  I couldn’t even speak! How am I supposed to travel?

But I did. I tried my best to say “Manong, San Fernando” to the conductor even if it sounded like “marong, thafeyando”. It was hilarious except that I was the victim so I couldn’t laugh.

I had to get off the bus several meters from where I was supposed to get off because I can’t say “para” well enough. I was thinking that I  tried to say it, the whole bus would start laughing at me. It was good some girls stopped right next to where I was supposed to get off.

And now I’m craving for some ice cream. I guess pain makes us think differently. I think a few days from now, I’m gonna read this post and will laugh at how stupid I sound.

Anyway, back to sanity, we are supposed to visit our dentist twice a year. More often if we have dental problems. Don’t be like me. I only remember the phrase “dental health” when I have a toothache.

So, why not drop by your dentist today? It might save you from future pain and will even save your smile. Hopefully.