Going to the dentist

I went to the dentist this morning. A so called “wisdom tooth” has been bothering me for the last two months. I was told to extract it would be a solution.

I have been putting off this visit for a couple of weeks. Not able to sustain this pain any longer, I finally decided to have this procedure done.

Marijo, my wife searched online and found a walk-in clinic, led by Haitian dentist David Eugene, DDS, 10 minutes from my home.

I woke up, ate breakfast, and drove to the location situated on a commercial plaza in Lauderhill, FL.

I felt anxious and nervous entering the waiting room where two young ladies were scrolling their phones.

A soft spoken young man welcomed me and asked me to write my name on the waiting list and to present my insurance card and driver’s license. He handed me some forms to fill out.

I sat down, filled out the forms, and opened my book. I was reading Walter Cronkite’s autobiography: A reporter’s Life.”

They called my name. I got in.

David, the dentist, welcomed me cordially with a handshake, showing me the dental chair.

I laid down on my back, opened my mouth while he was hovering a bright light over my face to see the inside of my mouth..

David asked me a couple of questions and confirmed that I was there to extract my lower right wisdom tooth.

David told me he has been in this location since 2009 when he bought this clinic from a fellow dentist.

He examined my tooth and took an X-ray. He informed me that my wisdom tooth was impacted and needed to be extracted.

I was nervous about the procedure, but the dentist assured me that it was a routine procedure and that I would be given anesthesia to numb the area.

I nodded, but my mind was still racing with fear and uncertainty. David and his assistant made me comfortable and started the procedure.

As he prepared the tools, my anxiety intensified. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and my breathing became shallow and rapid, my hands were shaking while I was signing the consent and payment forms.

The dentist administered me local anesthesia in the back of my gum. I could still feel a slight twinge of pain.

The fear of the unknown and the anticipation of the extraction made me feel like I was about to jump out of my skin.

Finally, David began the extraction. I felt a sharp tug and pressure in my mouth. The sound of the tools and the sensation of the tooth being pulled out made me feel nauseous and dizzy.

I closed my eyes and tried to focus on my breathing, listening to a podcast from Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady entitled from “Thought to Destiny.”

After what felt like an eternity, the extraction was complete.

The dentist gave me gauze to bite down on to stop the bleeding, prescribed painkillers and antibiotics and instructed me to avoid solid foods for a few days. He also had warned me that I might experience some pain and swelling.

I was feeling a bit groggy from the anesthesia, but relieved that the procedure was over.

____________________________________

Questions for you. Please, share.

Have you been to the dentist lately?

How was your experience?

How is tooth extraction, and teeth pulling , (rache dan) in places or in times there was no anesthesia?

The dentist chair is one of those places I do not feel comfortable. what about you?