I’m afraid of dentists. So very, very afraid of dentists. I’m afraid of the pain. I’m afraid of needles. I’m the kind of person who is NOT at risk to become a needle drug user. Everyone should go to the dentist every year, some say it is good dental care to go every six months. And I am no exception, but I usually wait until I have a problem with my teeth. Which is way too late. I then regretfully have to make successive appointments to get everything in my mouth back into shape again.

I sit in the dentist chair with my hands gripping the chair every time I visit the dentist. I wish there was an easier way. I always remind the dentist what a baby I am in the chair. He then takes gentle care in swabbing some kind of awful tasting goo in my mouth, but this will eliminate the pain. In my mind, even the vibration of a dentists drill can make me cringe in fear of pain.

The doctor will then inject the needle into the gums of my mouth, and that I know I can feel that needle go in to my gums. Then there is the drip of whatever the numbing medication they put in my gums… it too tastes awful.

Eventually, I become comfortable with the dentist performing his work. I have sat in the chair nearly a half an hour, and the initial pricks of pain have passed. The dentist does his cavity filling. Does it bother you like it bothers me that the dentists always want to talk to you and ask questions? Well, mind does anyway. I nod and shake my head hoping it does not screw up the dentists work. I now feel my lip be swollen, even though it is not. Later this lip will feel rubbery, and I will have to keep from biting it.

I finish up with the dentist, and leave feeling much better about having taken care of my teeth. And you know what? I’m still here and the little amount of pain will pay off big at meal times and at smiling time!

Writer: Dan Sharp
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