So like any responsible dental professional, I waited four years until residency to get it fixed. I knew all the tricks to keep it from progressing rapidly, and kept my eye on it with x-rays and checkups, but I just never trusted any of my colleagues to perform microsurgery on my precious #12.
Well, yesterday I mustered the courage to hop in the chair. A very competent coworker gave me the chance to see first-hand what I do to my patients every day...
HOLY CRAP!!!I CAN'T BELIEVE I DO THAT TO PEOPLE EVERY DAY...
AND THEY LET ME!!!!!
I didn't mind the shots. We had to practice those on each other multiple times in dental school, so I was somebody's guinea pig on several occasions and I know that after that first little pinch, everything is going to go right to sleep and everything will be just fine.
But the drilling... Oh, the drilling!!! All that noise and vibration!!! It felt like a jack hammer in my skull!!! I thought my brain was going to rattle out of my head at one point! Not painful at all... Just otherworldly and weird!
I do this to young children daily, and most of them don't care!!! HOW?!? How do they sit there so unconcerned? How is it that my singing "The Wheels on the Bus" and "The Little Mermaid" is distraction enough to keep them from shooting out of their chair and clawing me in the face?!? It is a WEIRD sensation!!! ...and I do this to people a l l t h e t i m e. AND THEY LET ME!!!!
And as I watched my co-resident at work, and watched as my saliva and little tooth bits flew up into her face, glistening in the overhead light as they caught flight, I thought "YUCK!!!" That's what's in my hair when I come home from work every day... Spit, blood, plaque, and tooth bits... in my hair and on my face... every day!!! *shudder* This is fair warning to anyone who associates with me on a regular basis: Don't ever touch me again until I've had a shower after work. I am stewing in Au De Gingivitis.
So now I finally understand why dentists are portrayed as such bad guys. Now I understand why people think us sadistic and mean. We do weird things to you in your head with your mouth wedged open and a light shining in your face, and we talk to you while you can't respond, and we stink with spit in our hair.
I get it now.
......
Please don't hate me.
11 comments:
I have never had a cavity before and being married to a dental student has made me so very glad that I haven't. I love getting my teeth cleaned but the rest of what you guys do scares me. :)
HAHAHAHAHAHA now you feel my pain!!! A deep clean hurts worse then getting a cavity filled btw.
I don't hate you, but I am a little disappointed, Dr. Shana :( Didn't your dentist teach you better? I would've thought the whole brushing and flossing 6 times a day would've helped.
BTW I'll be sure you've had a shower before I give you a hug again.
OK, my word veri is "mishiz". Is that short for "mi shizzle"? Or maybe it's the stuff that's in your hair when you're done with work.
You're very lucky you made it this far without having to ever get your teeth drilled into. I made it to 20, got a couple filled, then everything was hunky-dory until I had my babies. Two root canals: one for each kid. NOT FUN.
I can validate you and your parking, no charge. (Maybe I've used that on you before...)
Anyway, I'm old (age redacted) and have never had a cavity, and my kids haven't either! Is that why I adore my dentist, and have always loved whatever dentist I had? This one's great-- she's very gentle and very thorough!
yeah, I hate going to the dentist. I'd rather visit the OBGYN than get a cavity filled.
But I still love and support you in your sadistic profession.
It feels so good to get that off my chest.
I didn't know that you'd never had a cavity! That explains a lot.
Just kidding. But I wonder how having a dentist-father keeps a kid from getting even one little cavity? Maybe its in the genes, good teeth make one desire to be a dentist? Must be.
So glad you shared that experience with us. And don't worry about the dental ditritus, those of us who have had LOTS of dental work done are immune ;-)
No, Mom.
Maybe some have a greater predisposition for cavities, but good dental hygiene is overwhelmingly a product of good habit, not genetics.
Shana has ALWAYS taken good care of her mouth. She's EARNED good dental hygiene, so let's give proper credit where credit is due :)
yes, its a weird thing. i'm glad you finally know how it feels...more empathy for those crying kids. your singing must be really good or they can't hear it over the drilling. good luck!
Sure, YOU need, but how about me?
Oh yeah. Sorry. I'm actually here to say that I have bestowed the coveted "Kreative Blogger" award on you! Keep 'em coming!
Go to my blog to check it out! --and thanks for all the great posts.
And for the record, I haven't had a cavity yet.
Lynne, I think it's from all the flouride treatments our dad made us do as kids, cuz both our parents had TONS of cavities.
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