markwesha: Toothache...

This weekend was a blast. My Aunt and Uncle came to town to visit and we hung out with them and my cute cousins and played games, colored and just plain ol' relaxed. It was very nice. Well, Monday rolled around and I started getting a toothache. It was a little bizarre. The last time I remember my mouth aching was when my wisdom teeth started growing in. At first I figured that's what the problem was is that it was just continuing to grow and maybe bugging another tooth. Well, by Wednesday is was unbearable. A great diet tool because I didn't want to, and couldn't eat hardly anything, but other than that it was pretty miserable. I called the dentist to make an appointment and they could get me in Thursday (yesterday) or next Thursday--(I would have gone insane waiting that long!) The only problem was that I couldn't get out of work because my dad was out of town. So, Brian graciously stepped in to go to the store in the morning and would head off to his job when I got back, so yesterday I headed up to the dentist.
Of all of the professionals that are allowed to poke and prod, the dentist is my least nerve racking. I still get a little antsy, but nothing compared to the rest of the medical world. So I got there and told him what the problem was a he took an x-ray...He then said the only problem could see right off would be my wisdom tooth and that he could 'extract' it if I wanted. HOLY COW! I was not prepared for that. I was thinking he'd refer me to an oral surgeon and give me something for the pain while I waited. I didn't even think dentists took out wisdom teeth anymore. I asked if I could go to the restroom first, so I composed myself and came back ready for the 'extraction.' Which, by the way, I think they should have code words instead of these awful ones. Extraction sounds terribly painful...if he called it 'cotton candy' instead, even though he's doing the same thing, I don't think it would psych people out as much.
So he gave me the usual q-tip with ambesol and let it sit while he prepared the shot. (you may want to stop reading if you get queasy..) In my head I was thinking, "I can't believe I'm losing a tooth today.." Usually when something like that happens you have a couple days at least to think about it...rather than the couple seconds I had. So, the normal cheek wiggle and two quick shots on the outside and then, the most painful think I've felt in a while, he stuck a shot in the roof of my mouth! I actually let out a little squeal of pain, and I consider myself pretty tough. Wowsers. He did tell me though that's the best his arsenal had so I guess the worst was over, right? The only thing really keeping me going was knowing that a friend of mine had been induced the same morning and if she could have a baby, I could get a lousy tooth pulled. So I got all brave and numb and the dentist came back in. He did a small filling first being as I was numb and then began the 'cotton candy.' See, doesn't that sound better... I can honestly say it was the weirdest feeling in the world. There was intense pressure, but no pain. ewww...I'll spare you the details, but lets just say I'm all for the quick band-aid rip rather than the slow go which is what I got on my tooth. And word to the wise, close your eyes so you can't see the shiny tools being used. Anyway, it was like 2 minutes and then done. He went over how I needed to take care of it the next few days and then I was off. Well, not really. I went to go pay and get an appointment for my teeth cleaning and I felt so dizzy. I figured it's because I didn't eat breakfast and then like a water pitcher, I felt the blood pour out of my face. I asked the lady if I should feel a little dizzy and she grabbed me and sat me down. I don't recall walking but all of a sudden my head was between my knees and I was on the couch. THAT was fun. So I sat there for a few minutes and then the dentist took me back and told me to lay down for awhile. The problem was that I had gone alone (i didn't think I would have a tooth pulled) and my dentist is in Placerville. (trust me, when you find a good one, you'll make the drive..) So, he told me to stay awhile so I would be okay to drive home. After about 20 minutes I hopped in the car and headed home. What a morning! I stopped by Costco to pick up my prescription and I'm sure I looked like a wreck. I had gauze still in my mouth and the numbness was wearing off, so each step I took rang in my mouth. The pharmacy gal looked at me like I'd just come back from the dead...
Anyway, yesterday was pretty bad, but today I'm feeling much better. I'm still sore, but nothing like it was. I do find the whole thing a little ironic though that I went in with a toothache and came out with a whole MOUTH-ache!