I’m going to the dentist this morning. I broke a tooth last November when we were on holiday, and today is the day that the broken stump is going to be removed (it’s too far gone to be crowned). Because I have had Deep Brain Stimulation surgery, there are one or two precautions that are required, the main one being that I need to take a prophylactic antibiotic an hour before my appointment. So, at 8am I swallow a gram of amoxicillin, washed down with my morning cup of tea. A quick trip round the village hall field with the dog (who, thankfully, got through the night without being ill, like she was while were were out for the evening yesterday) and then I’m out of the door.
I’m in Aylsham for my appointment at 9am, and I’m soon reclined in the dentist’s chair, receiving my shots of local anaesthetic (which, because I’m having a molar removed, are right at the back of my mouth and are extremely uncomfortable) followed by a quick x-ray. My left leg had some tremor in it (as is usual these days) but the stress of the situation (I never even realised that I got stressed when having an injection) has me shaking pretty much all over, which isn’t very pleasant. While we are waiting for the anaesthetic to take effect, my dentist prepares one of my other teeth for a new crown. Then, the bombshell news that the x-ray shows that the roots of the tooth are very curved and really should be surgically removed, rather than simply being yanked out (as has been the plan) – so, I am to be referred to another dentist for a surgical extraction, meaning that the prophylactic antibiotic was unnecessary and the numb jaw that I’m now experiencing is a complete waste of time (and discomfort). I am a little peeved, but these things happen…
Back in Southrepps, I check social media and respond to a few messages and comments that I have received, and wait for my face to feel normal again. The anaesthetic wears off by lunchtime, and my mouth feels pretty sore where the dentist injected me, so I try a little cannabis to soothe the discomfort, which works very well!