Everything is fine, by the way. The pain had resolved itself days before I got to the dentist. I decided to go anyway, because I haven't been to a dentist in [undisclosed] years. Lack of funds kept me away, and while I don't actually have the funds for it now, precisely, I figured I really should do what I can to take care of my mouth. I can do a payment plan with them, so it's not too terrible. I guess.
As it turns out, by some miracle of genetics (probably) and despite my long, long absence from the dentist, my teeth are actually in great shape. I was expecting some sort of Lovecraftian horror show going on in there, but no. My teeth are strong and stable, and my bones are doing great in there too.
That said, I do need to go back next week so the dentist can finish up the work they started during my brief appointment yesterday, and then there'll be a final follow up before I head into a maintenance schedule, with just a visit a year or so.
Honestly, so much of a person's health and well-being starts in the mouth, and I find it frustrating and stupid that our health care doesn't cover dental at all. It should. Mouth health affects everything. Literally everything.
Anyway, that's my gripe for the day.
I'm exceptionally glad that my mouth is doing so well despite the neglect. I'm also really happy with Southgate Dental, who took me in on short notice and were exceptionally kind and non-judgemental about my dental situation. I'm so used to dentists trying to up-sell me on things I don't need, preying on my insecurities to try and sell some braces and a few whitening sessions. I will have nothing more than a good cleaning, a new-patient set-up (more X-rays, etc), and then a regular maintenance schedule.
It's expensive, but could be much more expensive. And they deal a lot with folks like me who don't have insurance. They know the drill... uh... so to speak.
All in all, it was a positive experience yesterday.
I'm sore and grumpy today, though. There was a lot of poking and prodding around in there yesterday.
I also have a lot of things to catch up on. Like querying agents. I was supposed to do that yesterday.... I should get on that now. Right, I'm off to work.
Ciao!