Revenge of the Ginger Chews

I can't imagine what would have happened if I didn't do baking soda rinses 4 times a day during chemotherapy. I went to the dentist last week and found out that I had 3, THREE, cavities. All on the right side of my mouth. All in my back molars. All where I kept a ginger chew 4 times a day to alleviate the metallic taste. Oops.

Sometimes when I go to the dentist, I wonder if they forget that your lips are attached to your face. Or if they ever get tired of hearing "Open Please". As I am writing this the right side of my face is still numb. The appointment started out with the Dentist numbing the lower and upper right side gums. The dentist is concerned because I don't even flinch when he stabs me with the needle. "Sara, are you sure your numb?". Drool. Yup. At this point I have been stuck with so many sharp objects it doesn't bother me. He drills all three holes and asks me if I am ok while there are no less than 4 instruments in my mouth (drill, suction, mirror and unknown other metal thing) and I decide thumbs up is appropriate communication. The drilling was the easiest part of the appointment.

Next up was the fillings. The bottom molar; easy peasy. The top two molars that are touching and the dentist had to drill deeper than he originally thought he would need to, not so much. These fillings involve separate process of tiny little teeth vices that go on the tooth and then are tightened up with little little hand screws. Now I can see the metal portion sticking out of my lip. The assistant decides to tell the dentist that other dentists at this office would do both teeth vices at the same time. The dentist explains to her that it was not possible given how close my teeth are. At this point I have had my mouth open with other people's hands inside it for 45 minutes and have one more tooth vice to go and do not take kindly to the assistant attempting to correct the dentist. Franklly, I would appreciate not having the man with a drill annoyed while he works inside my mouth. I spend the rest of the appointment cussing her out with my eyeballs (that are under protective shades). It is very effective as she is completely unaware of my annoyance.  After an hour I am the proud new owner of 3 fillings. I get to keep the numb face for another 2 hours. The cold sensitivity for the next 2 weeks is just an added bonus.

I think this calls for some Dr. Teeth!