Root canal
Why is it that I never remember that I’m supposed to avoid sticky food until after the crown is rolling around in my mouth?
In my own defense, I chose the tootsie roll because the package said it was a fat-free food! While I refuse to be on a diet, I am trying to make less stupid food choices. Since I had hardly slept a wink (a common problem for me, especially when traveling) I just wanted a little energy boost to carry me through the rest of the workshop. I got one, only it wasn’t the sugar high I had hope for, but a rush of adrenalin as I retrieved the crown.
I have terrible teeth, terrible. Even though I brush and floss carefully, my teeth break, usually at the most inopportune times. I’m sure it has something to do with having no real dental care until I was a teenager, and my habit of clenching my teeth when I’m stressed. Over the years I’ve had nearly all of my teeth replaced with crowns. Sometimes I wonder what all that gold is worth.
Of course it couldn’t be a simple matter of just gluing the crown back in place. No, I broke it well and good. Only a root canal could repair the damage, so off to a specialist I went.
This guy was a real character, snowy white hair cropped short to his head, genial face. But, oh my, the fuss he made! Muttering good naturedly under his breath, almost talking to himself, he listed all the stumbling blocks to a good outcome. He did pause to admit (with a wink) that he is, indeed, very good at what he does, and isn’t that lucky for me. In the end, all the harrumphing and complaining about how challenging it would be took longer than the proceedure.
Listening to the doctor and his helpers banter it was clear that they enjoyed their work. Their quiet confidence helped me to relax, and, believe it or not, I left the office smiling. How I’ll feel when the anesthetic wears off remains to be seen.
June 14th, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Remember my ‘been there, done that” comment? There again….My culprit was an oatmeal raisin cookie of all things!
July 7th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Beth you might want to try taking some melatonin to help sleeping. My MD recommended I try some after Mom passed away in March. It didn’t help much then, but last week I tried one and after 9 hours of sleep I remembered what a good night’s sleep felt like! It’s a hormone that the body produces that wanes as we age. It’s over the counter, non addictive.