I went to the dentist yesterday.
Not a big deal, right? Nothing out of the ordinary? Well, it was totally on a whim when my mom mentioned getting into the dentist while I'm home for the weekend. She found me an appointment spot for 3:30pm Friday, and I was looking forward to a good ol' fashioned teeth cleaning. As I arrived early to fill out paperwork, I was instantly faced with the reality that it had been THREE YEARS since my last dentist appointment! Woah. That is unacceptable. I was very good at my every-six-month-cleaning appointments for my entire life. But then, I got married, and we didn't have dental insurance so we didn't see the dentist. (I won't tell you how long it's been since Kevin had a cleaning and checkup.)
Now that Obama has changed the healthcare policy, I'm reaping the benefits. I get to be on my parents' insurance until I'm 26 regardless if I'm married or not. Honestly, I think it's insane. If you're married, you should not be allowed to rely on your parents' insurance. But heck! I'm totally taking advantage of it.
They called me back to the room, and I explained that I have had some sensitivity--almost a stinging sensation--in two spots near the gum line. I was hoping it wasn't something serious. The hygienist explained the possibility of receding gum line which can be painful, but you can't really do much about it. She took my xrays and then the dentist came in. Both he and the hygienist commented on my beautiful teeth and the good care I've taken of them for not having been in for an appointment in 3 years.
But then came the awful, embarrassing, humiliating truth.
I have four--count 'em 4--cavities.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
I never have cavities. Well, almost never. Two tiny ones when I was five or six, but that doesn't really count, right? My mom was surprised because I had sealants put on years ago. But I'm fairly certain those sealants aren't meant to last longer than 5 or 10 years. And it's been at least 10 years since that treatment.
And so, I have to come back in a couple months for my regular dentist to do the fillings He's been taking care of me since I was a toddler. :) But get this--it's going to take 2 appointments and $100 out of pocket. Crap.
I'm ashamed.
I'm going to start flossing more than twice a week.
Do you floss??
NOPE!!! And I haven't been to the dentist in a LONG time either! I hate going to the dentist so much it was hard for me to believe you blogged about it and harder for me to read it!
ReplyDeletei feel ya. i dont floss either and i need to.... thanks for reminding me i need to go to the dentist cuz i havent when i was pregnant cuz i couldnt get x-rays!
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad. I didnt have my first cavity until I was 25 (and I had 2!) The dentist and hygenist made me feel so bad- even saying comments like, "We dont usually see cavaties on these teeth on adults- usually just on children who do not know how to brush properly." Let's just say I found ANOTHER dentist.
ReplyDeleteI am bad at flossing. I often start flossing the month before the appt and they seem content with the results!
Great news about your wonderful health insurance. With all this crazy Wisconsin budget stuff I am curious what our future health insurance will look like.
I'm glad I'm not alone. :) The hygienist actually told me early twenties is prime cavity time--I'm glad you found another dentist, Andrea.
ReplyDeleteI hardly ever floss, however I did by the little dental tools (the pick, scraper and mirror) and I frequently clean between the teeth with that! It's amazing!!
ReplyDeleteI just went for first time in 3 years last summer because of no insurance (and now I'm overdue again, darnit), and surprisingly at 28, still have NO cavities... it's amazing with all the sweets I bake and eat!!! ;)
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