Dental Visit

It sounds like a car wash. Four weeks ago I had a “power wash” performed on my teeth and I would need to return for a “deep clean” in another month. In between visits my husband is having other issues, including implants. He could have all of his teeth replaced for a small fortune. What made it worse was we moved two years ago and we hadn’t met our new dentists yet. Neither my husband nor I had been to the dentist since the pandemic and it obviously created teeth problems. We always went every six months, but I had to cancel our first appointment because my mom passed away, and then we were stuck in the house until we got vaccinated. So today I returned for the “deep clean” which meant cleaning under the gums. That meant some sort of sedation. I was ready to get novocain, but decided to start with the topical number. It wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, but having had TMJ surgery almost forty years ago makes going for any dental procedure difficult. Now I need to return in four months rather than six, and need to start using several new appliances to keep my guns healthy. That includes a gum stimulator, extra wide floss, a proxabrush, and advanced dental picks. Having a mouth full of fillings, crowns, and wearing a night guard every night cause bacteria buildup so all of these utensils are required. I always flossed and used dental picks and brushed all of the time. Something happened over the last year - and I can feel it in my bones and my teeth. Hopefully my teeth will weather the storm and stay with me for years to come. Now it’s time to make a doctor appointment. 

Dental Visit

I suppose it’s a good idea to be reminded that you are due for a dental check up. I usually ignore it until I get a second notice. Having had TMJ surgery, splints and mouth guards, root canals, many crowns and fillings, and a chipped front tooth from falling on the sidewalk - I don’t look forward to it. My dentist noticed a long time ago that I’m no stranger to the dental chair. So after the reminder to make an appointment, you get a follow up email reserving the date, and then a reminder the week before to confirm it. So when I went this week I always take prophylactic aspirin because of my jaw, and beforehand asked for an experienced hygienist because it makes a huge difference if you’ve ever had jaw surgery. I thought I might have an issue with a top molar, but it turned out being the inevitable tooth shifting one gets as one ages. For the first time in a while there were no issues that required a follow up visit or novacain. What’s most surprising is how people can afford the price of routine visits - close to $200. Multiply that by how many kids, husband, etc. Thank goodness we have insurance, but that only goes so far, including with the supplemental. Here’s hoping for a year without tooth issues. It’s about time. 

Capitol Hill Dental Group

I had been putting it off for a few months, but finally made an appointment to see the dentist for an overdue six month cleaning and X-rays. Right before Thanksgiving I bit down on a mint and felt something. After a few days it got better, but I'm still cautious about that site. So I was hoping the visit today would be non eventful thinking a root canal or crown might be in my future. It so happens all went well, so another routine visit is over. The dental office is very convenient for us as it is hardly a block away. We've been going here since we moved to DC. It definitely surpasses my dentist and his office in Milwaukee in more ways than can be described. The dentists and staff are really great...and I know because I've had a lot of dental work and TMJ surgery. It can be a dreadful experience, but this office is up to date on everything. I've had a crown placed in one sitting here. It also comes with a price. I'm glad we have insurance but wonder what others do if they don't. My parents always took us to the dentist and it has paid off, in a manner of speaking.