You Don't Have to Brush Your Teeth - Just the Ones You Want to Keep!

I have had some teeth problems for well over a year now. It started when I first got pregnant and then just escalated from there. My first problem was a broken tooth on my lower right side. That tooth was going to require a root canal and crown (which they would not do since I was pregnant.. I only had a small window). Not too long after that I broke a tooth on my upper left side, which has given me the most trouble.

I have been putting off going to see a Dentist for a very long time. Mainly because I know what I have to do and I’m scared. Another reason is money – it’s SO expensive! One of my goals (are you tired of me talking about my goals yet?) is to FINALLY get my teeth fixed. I decided yesterday that I was going to make the leap and get things started. I called the Dentist office and they were able to see me the very next morning!(Today!)

I was a nervous wreck but of course I was fine once I got back and they started doing the X-Rays. It seemed like they took probably 15 or 20.. must be a new thing! I got a cleaning, which went really well. It had probably been 3 years since my last one. I learned a few things during my cleaning and it’s enough to make me reconsider some of my beverage choices. After my cleaning the Dentist came in and spoke with me. We looked over my X-Rays and determined that the two broken teeth couldn’t be saved. I have to get them both extracted and then I have a couple fillings that need to be taken care of. To show you again how fast this is taking place – my first extraction is MONDAY. When I started this process, I figured it would be a while before the ball finally got rolling. Boy was I wrong! Before the end of January I will have both teeth extracted and then I can move on to my fillings. I hope to have that completed by the end of February and then HOPEFULLY I’m good to go for a while.

All of this has been enough to make me consider being an advocate for good dental hygiene. You have NO IDEA how important it is!

I’ve had my wisdom teeth taken out when I was in high school – but other than that I have no experience with tooth extraction. Has any of you ever had a tooth pulled? My Dentist mentioned something about medicine that will make me sleepy (but not put me to sleep) and won’t make me nervous, etc. Does anyone have any experience with this? I’m so nervous and I know that Monday morning I will be TERRIFIED so I need all the reassurance I can possibly get! ALSO – with this medicine (I’m assuming it’s a pill) will I be able to drive or go to work afterwards? I still have no clue! Ha!

I’ll keep you updated as I go through this process. Just please keep me in your prayers as I get very nervous and scared. I just want to be CALM. I know it has to be done and there isn’t anything I can do about it, so now I just need peace and assurance that I’m going to be OK and not experience a lot of pain!