The pain is real!

I have been dealing with some quite intense tooth ache for the past week, so yesterday I went to the dentist, to see what's up and what to do to get it fixed. By the time I got there, my entire left lower jaw was swollen, so I knew something was bad. Possibly infected.

I haven't been to the dentist in over 20 years. I have Dentophobia, also known as fear of dentists, so for me to willingly seek out a dentist is a huge step for me. I just want it to be over with. I want the tooth ache to go away!

My appointment was set for 4.20 pm, so I went there, not really sure what to expect. Surely, dental treatments have been improving over the past 20 years, so hopefully I would get the best pain-free treatment money could buy. I checked in, and sat down to wait. After what felt like an eternity, one of the dental assistants came out, and called me in for an x-ray. I told her that I was extremely nervous, and that I was suffering from Dentophobia. She took me by the arm and told me, that they would take good care of me, and that there was nothing to be nervous about. She was fantastic! She made me relax, as much as my body allowed me to, and I was then introduced to the technician, who were going to take my x-ray. A few seconds later, the results were in.

The tooth in question had infected roots, which explained the pain I was feeling. "This is a root canal", the technician explained to me. Not the words I wanted to hear. Root canal. That means it's gonna be expensive! And more time at the dentist, which I am not looking forward to.

I was then led out to the waiting area, where I would be waiting to enter the room, where my tooth could be worked on. A few minutes later, it was my turn. The dentist asked into what was wrong, and then he started his examination. He told me, that the tooth was dead, and that I would either have to get it ripped out, or worked on. He then took off a bit of the tooth, so it wouldn't be as painful to chew as it currently was. I was then prescribed penicillin, and asked to follow the instructions on the box. "Take them until they are gone", was his exact words.

So now, just over 24 hours later, I have begun the treatment. It should be a few days until the swelling falls down. I just want it gone now.

I have enough pills for ten days, and I should see the treatment work as soon as tonight. 24 hours or so after the treatment beginning, which is in about three hours time. I will take one pill before bed tonight, and another when I wake up tomorrow.

Tooth ache is a bastard!