A few years ago I worked for a dentist office. While the Doctor drilled into their little mouths I got to hear the cries of several kicking and screaming children from the front desk of the office. Each time one of these children would start throwing their tantrums I would roll my eyes and think that the parents of this child needed to whip their kid into shape and make them realize they are only making it worse on themselves by screaming while the dentist is drilling into their teeth.
I have had this perspective for almost three years now, but today it all changed. I had my first cavities worked on today. After getting the numbing shot of novacaine jabbed into my lower jaw I was ready to go home. As luck would have it the shot got clogged and it had to be reinserted two more times. After the first jab I began whimpering like a little puppy and I longed for the ability to scream out and stop this madness. Unfortunately, my pride got the better of me and I continued to sit in the dentist chair making only small sighs and low toned moans while he drilled nonchalantly into the lingual side of my M1 molar.
I will never again roll my eyes at the screaming child in the dentist chair. They are much, much braver than myself. They deal with the dental situation in a way that every adult wishes they could. Kicking and screaming really does make some situations better, and the dental office is on of those situations. It's nice to be on the inside looking out and to finally see why the tantrum is such a better way to go. Then again, I think avoiding cavaties in the first place is the best way to go. Let's just hope I don't have to go back for at least another 21 years.
-Brooke Jean
2 comments:
You are very lucky that this is your first. And as a warning, I've heard that pregnancy/ having a baby weakens your teeth making them susceptible to more cavities (I heard this at my first appointment after having my daughter). Nice.
And about the kids and dentists? My mom has always hated dentists. I don't remember exactly what happened when she was a kid, but she threw up on her dentist. Poor dentist, but it still makes me laugh!
I don't mind you adding my link. Does that mean it's okay for me to add yours?
Cavities... yick. I have two that need working on right now and calling the dentist office is realllllllly down there on my list of priorities. Not that teeth aren't important, but because of this kind of experience.
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