I'm Going To The Dentist This Week and It Shouldn't Be a Big Deal

It always seems like we, as adults, think we're taking care of ourselves just fine.Like, I'm not in pain, things seem okay, that's good enough, right? Well, that's kind of where I am right now, but I know I should do a better job of taking care of myself. I know I tend to be a caregiver, I'm always doing whatever everyone else needs me to do. I tend to put my own stuff on the back burner.

That's going to change this week. I'm actually going to....... the dentist.

*dramatic music here*

Now, this doesn't seem like a big deal to you, I'm sure. But for me, it kind of is. The last time I went to the dentist was when I got my wisdom teeth out. It was a follow up appointment afterward, to check and see if things were going as they should. I told him my mouth still hurt a lot a week after, but he kind of... lectured me instead of listening. And it made me mad, I got embarrassed, and I just....decided I was done. I got up and walked out of his office and never went back.

For fifteen years.

I figured, "I brush my teeth. I don't do anything crazy. Surely my teeth will be fine."

And for the most part, that's been true. I know I should have just switched dentists or something, but things didn't snap into place. After a year or two I was going to see about switching, when my parents told me "don't get sick", because I too old to be on their insurance anymore. Not their fault.

Then after that of course, for years, I had part time jobs that didn't even offer insurance, so that meant doctor and dental visits were out. Which was fine, I was taking care of it. Then, when I got the real full time gig here, I just... ignored it. Insurance here provides me with a cleaning every year, and I just... didn't do it.

Until a few months ago. I finally decided, look. You're 41 years old, you need your teeth, just go to the dentist. It can't be that bad. After all, nothing hurts. I remember cavities hurt. So maybe it won't be so bad. Actually, he'll probably tell you your teeth are falling out and you have seventeen gum diseases, but you can handle it. So yeah, I did it. I got with my insurance, found a dentist in town who took new patients, and booked the appointment with my new dentist for this week. Here's hoping I make it through the appointment without some kind of thousand dollar bill and no teeth.

When was the last time you went to the dentist? Did you put it off as long as I did?

Dentally yours,

Behka