Taking Care of Myself

Taking Care of Myself

October 14th, 2010 @ 5:41 pm by Ms. Sloth
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I have an embarrassing confession to make: until a few months ago, I hadn’t been to the dentist in a long, long time.

How long, you ask? I plead the fifth.

Taking Care of Myself : wedding health philadelphia Littles littles

Last time I went, it had been a while since cleanings, too. The dental technician literally yelled at me for waiting so long between cleanings and then cleaned my teeth so roughly, so painfully, that I was in tears. And then she told me to “stop being a baby” about it. I had to go back a few days later to get some cavities filled, and the dentist himself was less painful but just as judgmental.

I was traumatized. And I didn’t go back for quite a while.

I try to take care of my teeth. I brush twice a day and floss when I remember, which, admittedly, isn’t enough. And I never have toothaches or sensitivity. But after smoking for almost 20 years (I finally quit about a year ago) and my addiction to Dunkin Donuts coffee and Coke Zero, my chompers weren’t looking too great. Especially in photos—they looked dull and yellowish.

And I realized that I didn’t want my teeth to look like that on the most photographed day of my life. And so, I cowboyed up and made a dentist appointment. I used Yelp to find the highest rated dentist in Philly, and I had my appointment soon after.

You know what? It wasn’t bad. I expected to have like a dozen cavities, and I only had two. The technician told me I need to floss more, but she didn’t give me a hard time about the condition of my teeth. She scraped literally years of tartar (gross) off of my teeth, and while it was unpleasant and uncomfortable, it wasn’t painful. Yes, I have to go back next week to get the cavities filled, but since the staff at the office were so nice and gentle, I’m not freaking out. And, best of all, my teeth feel so clean and look so much better than they did before. I still want to get them whitened eventually, but at least my dental health is in check.

So while I’m glad that I finally got the dentist out of the way, I’m kind of mad at myself. Because the only reason I went was due to vanity—wanting to have nice teeth for my wedding day. It’s the same thing with my skin. I ordered a Clarisonic because I want my skin to look nice for the wedding. And I’m trying to lose weight to look nice in whatever dress I get. I should be going to the dentist because it’s important. I should be taking care of my skin because I’m approaching 35 and I don’t want to look like I’m 50. I should be working out and dieting because I need to lose weight and I don’t want to be at risk for heart disease or diabetes.

But the whole reason I started was so that I can look pretty for one day out of my whole life. And that’s just stupid.

I’m glad that I’m starting to take better care of myself, but I need to get in the mindset that I’m doing it in order to improve my quality of life—not the quality of the wedding photos.

Did your wedding inspire you to start taking better care of yourself? Do you plan on continuing your good habits after the wedding?

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27 Responses to “Taking Care of Myself”

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Bee

Mrs. Scissors (message) 7,343 posts, Bee Keeper

1. good for you for quitting smoking. hard to do (and i didn’t smoke for 20 years!) but so much better once you quit.

2. hooray for the dentist. i hate going, but make myself go twice a year. i have to dope myself up on anti-anxiety meds, but it’s worth it to have (hopefully) long-lasting teeth. my enamel is totally shot, so i get cavities super easily. bah.

10/14/10 @ 5:53 pm (reply)

Member

completelyrandomsally (message) 618 posts, Busy bee

I just blogged about the dentist yesterday, too. That scene with Steve Martin always goes through my head when I think about the dentist (I’ve also had that song in my head since I posted it). Luckily, my dentists are super nice (you are seen by the dentist that is available at that time - I’ve gone to both), my teeth rock, but my gums could be better. Here’s to flossing!

Congrats on quitting smoking, too!

10/14/10 @ 6:01 pm (reply)

Member

bRooklynRocks (message) 3,767 posts, Honey bee

Well, I did go to the dentist. Not because of an upcoming wedding but because I couldn’t stand the pain in my tooth anymore. I needed a root canal and of course I kept kicking myself (as did the dental assistant) “Well ma’am, if you had come for a cleaning, we would have caught this earlier” Oh well, now I go twice a year. Good for you that you are taking better care of yourself. It shouldn’t matter if it’s for a wedding or not. Just try and keep it up though

10/14/10 @ 6:03 pm (reply)

Member

BrianneG (message) 938 posts, Busy bee

ugh, I have to go to the dentist tomorrow. I slacked off during college but I go at least once a year now that I have dental insurance. I got a little reminder card a month ago but I hate going there so I didn’t call. Then they called me a couple days ago and were so super excited to schedule me in. I’ll have to steal a little of the hubby’s extra vicodin because it always hurt like a mofo. Crossing my fingers, no cavities.

10/14/10 @ 6:04 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Glasses (message) 2,741 posts, Sugar bee

I haven’t been to the dentist in over 3 years, true story. I was always too lazy to find an English speaking dentist in Tokyo and I didn’t wanna pay for it, ‘cuz usually that type of service isn’t covered by medical insurance. I fully expect to have a million cavities and to get chewed out when we finally get jobs and health insurance. Until then, my teeth are gonna be dirrrrrrrty for the wedding! You’re a brave girl!

10/14/10 @ 6:37 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Waffle (message) 1,121 posts, Bumble bee

I finally have dental insurance for the first time in 6 years and am going to the dentist next month. I am suuuuuper scared of them being judgmental and scary. Your post is making me feel better about the whole shebang and the fact that I’m not the only one. Thanks!

10/14/10 @ 7:35 pm (reply)

Bee

Mrs. Trail Mix (message) 6,328 posts, Bee Keeper

Totally understand your frustration over doing all these things “to look pretty for one day” but don’t beat yourself up over it, they’re not vanities, it’s health-related, you’re taking care of yourself and hopefully starting good habits, ya kno?

10/14/10 @ 7:54 pm (reply)

Member

mightywombat (message) 3,311 posts, Sugar bee

Frankly, it reflects poorly on the original dentist and technician that they tried to shame you like that. If there’s anything that will make people avoid the dentist (or doctor) in the future, it’s being scolded and punished like a five year old.

10/14/10 @ 8:18 pm (reply)

Member

tetorger (message) 138 posts, Blushing bee

My best friend’s dad is my dentist, (and also going to officiate our ceremony). Its pretty cool. I get to get cavities filled and dental cleaning like on a Saturday afternoon jamming out to rock in the empty office. Also, it is sooo stupid to be so obsessed about one day! I can’t help it though. I have been kicking into high gear at the gym, wearing my retainer haha, plan on whitening, and started tanning again . . . for one day of pictures.

10/14/10 @ 8:56 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

Wehaf

I bought a Reach Access flosser (with disposable flosser heads) and I floss like 10 times as much now. It makes flossing so much easier, really! I normally am not a product pusher but this thing made such a difference in my dental routine. So if flossing is your nemesis, try a new weapon.

10/14/10 @ 9:45 pm (reply)

11.

Member

toile234 (message) 176 posts, Blushing bee

I got braces for the wedding, even though my teeth weren’t very crooked. I claim that it’s for my future career though, since I’m in dental school :).

10/14/10 @ 9:57 pm (reply)

12.

Member

annapeeps (message) 85 posts, Worker bee

I hadnt gone in like 5 years, and wound up having an old filling that had a teensy crack in it and the crack let crap into my tooth, and I wound up having a tooth that was rotting, and it broke, I had to have a root canal and a crown never had ANY tooth pain though…so I learned a $2500 lesson, made friends with laughing gas, and this awesome gel that temporarially numbs your gums when they do a cleaning. That and a glass of wine before I go makes it bearable!

10/14/10 @ 10:28 pm (reply)

13.

Bee

Mrs. Stripes (message) 1,063 posts, Bumble bee

Um- I too had not been to a dentist in forever! Mostly b/c I had a grey front tooth (it died at a Subhumans show!) and I knew that I couldn’t afford to fix it. Real logical, I know. So um, long story short, when I finally went I had to have tons of deep cleaning and then pay a small fortune to fix my front tooth. Haven’t smiled so much in years though- it’s awesome. And I’m totally with you in feeling a little silly for waiting for the wedding to be bothered.

10/14/10 @ 10:54 pm (reply)

14.

Member

peaches13 (message) 1,147 posts, Bumble bee

I avoided the dentist for a long time, too. I SO lucked out when I did go, though…I just decided to find one that my insurance covered and was close to my house. My dentist does a LOT to make patients feel at ease…a questionaire about your fears of dental cleaning/work, warm neckwraps, wine, whatever you need to relax. I usually listen to my iPod, which helps distract me a lot.

10/14/10 @ 11:26 pm (reply)

15.

Bee

Mrs. Barrettes (message) 883 posts, Busy bee

One word: Sonicare. =)

10/14/10 @ 11:45 pm (reply)

16.

Guest

Lori

I’m actually from Philly too and in the same situation! Which dentist did you go to?

10/15/10 @ 12:55 am (reply)

17.

Member

Potatoes (message) 650 posts, Busy bee

I had the same situation! I haven’t gone back to the dentist since I was yelled at for something beyond my control (gum problems caused by an immune system disorder) and I still refuse to go back.

10/15/10 @ 1:17 am (reply)

18.

Member

cc226 (message) 258 posts, Helper bee

I haven’t been to the dentist in a very long time. I hate getting judged! What is with that quality in some dentists? I do have to go and this maybe the inspiration I needed! Good luck Miss Sloth! <3 your posts!

10/15/10 @ 7:45 am (reply)

19.

Member

bree72 (message) 2,086 posts, Buzzing bee

I skipped the dentist for about 4 years when I was in college. I was in a different city and never remembered to make an appointment when I would be home. I learned my lesson. I had been going twice a year for as long as I could remember and had never had a cavity before. I ended up having 5!!! And one was close to a root canal. I go ever 6 months now without fail.

10/15/10 @ 8:28 am (reply)

20.

Member

pepsint (message) 30 posts, Newbee

here’s my tip for frugal (re: cheap) people who don’t have dental insurance. [or you know, any health insurance]…:

Dentistry Schools. Seriously. I was lucky enough to live with a dental student during law school..and she introduced me to the wonders of having my teeth cleaned by students. It sounds like it could go very bad. but nope- they have great supervisors working with them…and they’re scared of hurting people- so they’re extra gentle. the only caveat is that it does take longer than a regular hygienist. but can cost 1/2 of what a regular visit does.

10/15/10 @ 9:16 am (reply)

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