Dental Appointment Today

I have been dreading today for the last six months. Ever since my last teeth cleaning. And I dreaded that one for six months before that. The never ending cycle of dread goes all the way back to when I was a child. I blame my phobia on a sister. I can't remember which one, not that it much matters. It all started when she and I both had to have cavities filled on the same day and one of us boasted to the other that it wouldn't hurt to have the filling done without Novocaine. We were both terrified of that huge Novocaine needle. My memory is unclear as to which one of us actually had the cavity filled without the Novocaine. Did I watch her as she cried and screamed or did she watch me? It's a moot point. The damage was done and a lifetime of dental phobia was born on that day.

My dentist is a kind and funny man. The first time he had to replace one of my old fillings I explained to him that I bite. He explained that he would bite me back. We arrived at a respectful truce. And I am pleased to report that after being under his fine care for the last 12 years neither of us has been bitten by the other. Although we have had some close calls.

None of this changes the fact that I would rather birth a 10 pound baby through my left nostril then have someone pick at my teeth with dental tools.