Some tortures are physical
And some are mental,
But the one that is both
Is dental.
~Ogden Nash
Having dental work done never really bothered me until recently. For whatever the reason, I have panic attacks whenever I’m in the dentist’s chair. I’m guessing it stems from being claustrophobic, which has escalated in recent years. I keep telling myself that it is irrational, that it is no big deal, but the minute I sat down in that chair this morning and his assistant strapped that bib around my neck, I started to break out in a cold sweat, my heart started to pound, and I could feel myself starting to fade away. Talking to and laughing with the assistant helped some. The doc had to fill in a couple of places where spaces had developed between teeth and gums, and then I had to have new night guards made ~ one for top, one for bottom ~ cause I’m a grinder and have broken three night guards already ~ so I get two this time. No big deal. No big deal. I can do this. Dental work is always tedious, so I try to go someplace else in my head ~ anywhere but the dentist chair. An hour later, it is over. I survived it without totally freaking out [or passing out which might not be a bad thing]. My dentist is very kind and understanding and well aware of my neurosis and I’m thankful for that. In the meantime, my goal is to take really good care of my teeth so I never have to sit in that chair again. Smile, y’all, and have a nice day.
