Have I mentioned my fear of the dentist?

I hate the dentist. I despise the dentist. I abhor the dentist. I....can't think of another really strong word to describe how I feel about the dentist. I feel about the dentist like the Shark feels about her eyeballs. It's that bad. Two years ago, I broke down and went to one. Got a cleaning, some xrays and was told that for not having been to a dentist in well, let's just say 10+ years, that my teeth were phenomenal. I chalk that up to good oral hygiene on my part. I'm no stranger to the floss. I prolly got some good genes in there too.

Now, the interesting part is that I was great with my kids and the dentist. They went every 6 months like clockwork. Two of them had orthodontia work, all in all, no biggie for them. Or at least I thought.

Picture this: Tuffy. First cavity ever. Needs to be filled. He's nervous not knowing what to expect. I walk back with him and they have clearly NOT made any kind of seating arrangement for a family member. I forget that this isn't the pediatric dentist anymore. No chair for Mommy, no hand holding for the patient.

The tech explains the dentist will be in any moment to get started. She mentions a Novocaine shot. Tuffy flips a quick slide glance at me. This is a boy who has nearly passed out from getting blood drawn. I ask, "Will he be getting any gas?" 'Cause you know what? I freaking need the gas JUST TO GET THEM CLEANED! Never mind drilling and ewwwwwww stuff like that. I figure, let's make the kid comfortable for crying out loud! Even if he doesn't need it? I need him to have it. Just for MY peace of mind.

She tells us sure, gets him hooked up and then very politely informs me that I can wait in the waiting room where it's more comfortable if I'd like. Yeah, I'd like. The very smell and sounds of that office is going to send me right.over.the.edge.


I head back out to the waiting area, and get involved in a nice Reader's Digest. Mere minutes later, they escort him out, and he is FLYING.
'zactly how much of that gas did they give him??

He couldn't feel his mouth, nor did he care. I teased him that he was drooling and he totally fell for it, wiping at his mouth.



YUP! While dentist = bad, bad, bad! Laughing gas = good, good, good!