Root Canal Revelations

Written on October 9, 2009 by emily

I know. It’s a bit of a stretch to draw deeper conclusions about subjects such as root canals, but I’ve been pondering this all evening, and since I did experience a root canal today for the first time, this is what you get to hear about. It was never my intention to have a root canal instead of a baby on my due date, but sometimes things go differently than you plan. Earlier this week I started having some discomfort in this particular tooth and some related jaw pain that was really ringing my bell, and as much as I wanted to ignore it and plod through, it became clear as the days went by that further procrastination was not in my best interest. I was advised to at least have someone look at it to determine what could be done and what the best timing would be for such actions.

My humbling confession is that I haven’t actually seen a dentist in longer than I care to admit, and I’ve collected a really nice pile of excuses why not. Can’t afford it. Don’t really need to. Sorry, I’m busy having another child and just can’t be bothered with something frivolous like a dental checkup. But who am I kidding? I was avoiding it because I was afraid of going. Afraid of hearing that I am lucky to have any teeth in my head. Afraid of hearing that if I want to keep said teeth, I’m going to have to shell out an obscene amount of money. Afraid of someone actually poking around in that space that is just….personal. Mouths are personal. And even the tamest dental procedures feel very invasive. So I avoided going until the last possible moment…perfect dramatic timing that fell on the due date of my yet-to-be-born third child.

I have to admit, I had a little bit of hysteria thinking through just what to do. First of all, of course I don’t have a regular dentist. ha. I had no idea where to go and finding any medical professional in Los Angeles makes me hyperventilate. Fortunately, I know people who know people…and the people I know are wise and patient and frankly, are angels for sending me in the right direction. So I jumped in. I made an appointment and went in today for a dental exam to check things out. In short, after the initial exam, although I could have put it off (and I really wanted to), the recommendation was to take care of the source of the problem today, which meant root canal! Eeeks. Yeah, thats not what I was planning on today. I was planning on birthing a child. If I’m honest, I had a little window of time that I was gripped with fear and wiping away tears feeling like, “Why this? Why now?” even though I’ll be the first to admit I did it to myself.

In short, I decided that being afraid of something is simply not a good enough reason to avoid it. Let me write that again, just for myself, so I remember it when I encounter the next scary thing in my life. Being afraid of something is not a good enough reason to avoid it. So I went through with the procedure. It was long and slightly uncomfortable considering I had a little friend along in my belly, but honestly…in my truest words, it was not bad at all. Sure, not something I’d like to do often (or even ever again if possible), but definitely not as bad as I had braced myself for. Not to mention that I feel really great knowing that it is taken care of and it is no longer hanging over my head.

So next time you’re facing something scary, take heart. See if you can squint a bit and look through to the other side of your fear to the goal. Fear needn’t be a paralyzing thing. It is very real and shaking the feelings that come can be challenging, but you may just find yourself on the other side of your hurdle before you know it, feeling silly that it seemed so dramatic in the first place.

Plus, a good friend asked me today: which is harder, having a root canal or birthing a child? I’d say, childbirth by far. So yay. The worst (which is really the best just as soon as it is over!) is yet to come. haha. And with that, I’ll go to bed so that just in case my son decides to join us soon, I’m rested! Goodnight.

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