All Rowelled Up

All Rowelled Up
All Rowelled Up

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Living In the 80's for 15 Seconds

Happy midweek to everyone! Hope your week has been amazing. My day started out a little sleepy and a little anxious. A month or so ago I went to the dentist for a cleaning and left feeling disgusted with the news that I had seven cavities. Seven! I've always prided myself on having good teeth and now I have SEVEN cavities. I got my first cavity when I was 18 and up until this appointment I had a total of four. Good teeth right? Well, after hitting the big 3-0 my teeth decided to get a little weak I guess.

I hate going to the dentist. I would rather go to the doctor every day of the week and get shots every day than go to the dentist. I'm pretty sure its from this image I have in my head from when I was 5 and went to the dentist. There was this boy screaming at the top of his lungs and flopping his body all around while people tried to hold him down. It scared the crap out of me. I remember the dentist telling me he probably had too much candy.

Now, I know I should keep up with my cleanings every six months like a good girl but I have such fear of going that I tend to postpone.....a lot.

Two weeks ago I had my first appointment to start getting my fillings for the stupid seven cavities in my mouth. I had been nervous all day and a couple of hours before my appointment I started freaking out on the inside. By the time I got to the dentist my nerves were all over the place. I sat in the exam chair and tears began flowing down my face. I kept apologizing for acting like a baby. The dentist's wife (who is also his assistant and) gave me a tissue. Before I could wipe my tears the dentist had already taken care of it with his hand, in the process smearing makeup all over the side of my face. "You have black all over your face now. Sorry." Oh, well!

Needless to say, I acted like a ridiculous grade school kid with all my blubbering.

Today, my friends, was a totally different experience. Today, my friends, I asked for "the gas." Some yum yum tummy fun Nitrous Oxide! You might know it as laughing gas or sweet air. Oh, let me just say it was SWEET! I've never had it before. I've always been too scared to ask for it, like I was asking for something illegal.

I was nervous it wouldn't affect me but about 30 seconds after he put the mask on me.....I was in a whole new place, and it was awesome!

He put the mask on me to get me started as he set up his tools and started talking to his wife. I could feel myself smiling and got nervous that he could see my smile. He might yank the gas if he knows I'm enjoying it. I got nervous. Could they see my stomach? If I take a deep breath and hold it in will they notice? My mind was all over the place. I tried to focus on the overhead music so that I wouldn't go into full on giggles. Some 80's country song was on and for about 15 seconds I thought I was living in the 80's. This stuff is awesome!

I laid there very still and kept my eyes open. I thought if I closed them they would think the gas knocked me out. I read the posters on the ceiling. "Do you want hot dogs for dinner?" the wife asked. Is she asking me over for dinner? Should I answer? "Sure, chilli dogs?" the dentist answered. Oh thank God I didn't answer. That was not an invite. The dentist looked down at me. "What do you like on your hot dogs?" he asked. "Mustard and cheese!" I blurted out excitedly. I was happy to be a part of the conversation.

They continued to work on my teeth and I continued to try to act cool. They have to know I'm having the best time under this mask. I wonder if they have tried this gas? When he started drilling I thought there was a motorcycle in the room. No, you dummy! Get it together! Act cool. He asked me if I was okay and if my hands felt tingly. I tried to lift my hands to check and they felt so heavy yet floating. Why haven't I asked for this before?

His wife and he continued to talk while they hovered over me. It felt like a scene in a movie where someone is waking up with people all around them and they have no idea what is going on. I thought for a second that maybe I should have been an actress.

"We've turned the nitrous off. You should be getting just oxygen now." he told me.

Wait, you mean it's over? I'm all done?

I got up from the chair to rinse out and still felt a little floaty. This was THE BEST visit to the dentist EVER!

I walked out with a lip that felt huge and a reminder card in my hand for my next visit. Or should I say my next afternoon of fun?
;)


2 comments:

  1. OMG, April! I had to read this several times....laughing harder each time. Wish I could've witnessed this in person. You crack me up, friend!!

    And, yay that I can comment again!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. OMG I am soo with you, I hate going to the dentist, I'd rather pull my own teeth out then go..well maybe not but you get the point!

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