I'm Sensitive, Please Don't Hurt My Fillings

I had to have some fillings done today. I first have to start off by explaining that I have an irrational fear of the dentist. I have very sensitive teeth in general; heat, cold and sweets can sometimes bother my teeth. In addition to extreme sensitivity, in the past when I’ve had fillings I have always been able to feel the drill no matter how numbed up they try to get me. My dad has the same problem as I do (funnily enough, when we both smile you can tell that him and I have the exact same teeth. Genetics are so interesting.) I’ve also had a couple of crappy dentists over the years, which has only increased my fears. My last dentist told me that I was just nervous and that all I was feeling was pressure from the drill. I tried to tell him that the pressure isn’t what bothers me, I’m fine with the pressure, it’s the incessant pain of drilling into my half-numbed tooth that was irksome. Every time they used the little water spout or the air blower thingy (sorry, I don’t know the technical terms) it was like having ice cold shot directly on to the nerve. So when I told him that I felt it he looked at me puzzled and said, “You shouldn’t be feeling that.” Which of course made me want to tell him, “Yeah, no shit.” But as he was the one holding the drill, I thought I’d keep that last comment to myself. Anyways, this experience is pretty much what most of my experiences with dentists have been like and that has led to me religiously brushing and flossing in the hopes that I will never have to suffer through anything more than twice a year check-ups. ”Preventative measures” is my motto when it comes to my teeth! But last Monday at my check up with my new dentist they found a cavity. They said “Well, we’ll have you back in on Thursday for a filling.” Which to my little fearful brain sounds like, “Well, we’ll have you back in on Thursday for unbearably cruel and traumatizing torture.” Luckily, this new dentist was very accommodating to my fears and he prescribed me a heavy duty sedative before the procedure. First, let me say, that there was one time where I vaguely felt the drill but I was so loopy it wasn’t even an issue. I mean I was really that out of it. My husband drove me there and after the filling was done drove me home where I proceeded to sleep for four hours. Yep, that was some heavy duty stuff. So later on I woke up and my husband was getting ready to leave. I asked him if he would take my car and fill it up with gas to which he cracked up laughing and reminded me that we stopped for gas after the filling. Me: No we didn’t! Him: (Laughing) Yes, we did! Me: I don’t really remember that… Him: Yes, we stopped at the gas station near the dentist’s office. It was next to the Panda Express. Don’t you remember telling me how much you loved Panda Express and how you wished there was one closer to the house and then you told me how many calories are in the orange chicken? Me: (Shocked) I do kind of remember that! I was going on about how unfair that Panda is so high in calories and that I sure would love to take some home right now! So evidently, even half-drugged and fresh out of a dental procedure, I still am thinking about food! I may not remember where I am but I can tell you the calorie content of fried rice per serving!