By: Andrea Stainbrook
…when I went to the dentist for fillings.
Ugh. I know, I know, it’s not that bad. For some reason, the older I get, the more anxious I feel about dental work. I am scheduled for the most work to date; despite the fact I have been eating, quite frankly, the healthiest this body has ever seen. Apparently my teeth prefer junk food. 🙂
Here’s about how it went last time:
So first off the music isn’t right. While the dentist is doing her friendly banter I hear some radio rock that just doesn’t sit well with me. At least someone had told me to bring ear buds. I had NEVER thought of that before. I put some relaxing ballads on my Spotify and try to zone out. It was great that I could choose what I listen to, but there’s no way to not hear the drilling. Don’t focus on it. Don’t focus on it. I wonder what the dentist and her assistant are chatting about. Is it me? Is there something more horribly wrong with my teeth than what was previously thought?!
*Turns down music*
I hear them chatting about friends and going out to dinner. Phew, not me. My dentist smiles at me and tells me I’m doing great. I guess she noticed I was clenching my phone and tensing my feet. I’m sure my eyes looked frantic.
*Turns up music*
I feel like we should be moving on to the final parts of this. Is she still drilling? Is this a normal amount of time for this? This feels like a long time. I wish I checked the time before she started. Now I have no clue.
Oooh a blue light! Bite this! I can do that!
Into my ear… “HELLO. It’s me.” Thanks Adele. You are always there for me.
And I am done.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have someone dedicated to you at the dentist? I wish I had someone to calm my anxiety and help me focus my attention away from the sensations I was feeling. I would have loved someone to let me know this is all normal. “You are doing great!” and “You’re almost done.”…phrases I could hear over and over again. I would love a calming presence in the room that helps me through a time of the unknown, while going through one of life’s not so pleasant experiences. I wish I had a doula for the dentist.