saucy_dryad

If there is one bit of wisdom I might share with you today, it's this: procrastination has it's place, but that place is nowhere near regular dental checkups.

I'm not going to tell you how long it's been since I last had a checkup and cleaning. If I could recall, I would, but it was so long ago that the date is lost in the mists of sketchy memory. With that in mind, yesterday's visit could have been far, far worse. Yes, I had terrible buildup that's going to take a full two visits to remove (essentially Visit 1 = chisel and Visit 2 = fine grit sandpaper. or something like that). Visit 1 was not pleasant, but the fabulous and non-judgmental hygienist applied a thoroughly foul tasting but delightfully effective desensitizer at the gum line. What would have been unbearably painful in years past was merely uncomfortable. That I can deal with.

Once the primary cleaning was done, I was given over to the expert eye of Dr. Covucci.* I'd not seen her when I was there for the Neverending Root Canal, but Vernon Dental is primarily her practice. She's tiny, ever so nice, and every bit as non-judgmental as the rest of her staff.** As for the exam, turns out I have two small cavities, at some point I've ground my teeth because my molars are nowhere near as bumpy as they ought to be, and there's a wonky little divot on one of my front teeth from when I had braces. Not sure if that's going to be a problem, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's no big deal.

Again I say it could've been far worse. My permanent retainers are, apparently, a potential periodontal nightmare, but it looks as if I'm all right there. Two tiny cavities? Not thrilled with that, but I can hardly be surprised. Thanks to the Neverending Root Canal, I expect I'll be reaching the limit of what my dental insurance will cover, but I'm determined to get as much done as possible and then stick to a solid course of cleanings every six months.




*tomincloset, she remembered that I'd referred you, thanked me, and told me to say "Hi!"

**I was, and am, embarrassed that I'd let so long pass since my last checkup/cleaning. It was a combination of never having had a pain-free dental experience and a whole lot of 'If I ignore it, it won't get any worse.'