Unexpected

 

I had an unexpected visit to the dentist today. Unexpected on two scores: first, because I never thought it possible to ring at 3pm and get an appointment for 4.15 pm (courtesy of a last minute cancellation); second, because apart from check ups I have had no need for dental treatment for over 40 years.

Unfortunately that changed when, chewing on a slice of toast (I swear it wasn't even crisp) a molar at the back of my mouth broke. I wasn't in any pain but knowing from the experiences of Mister E that these things, if left, tend to fester and cause problems when you least want them, decided to get it checked over as soon as possible.

Now on my last foray for dental treatment, back in my twenties, I recall being absolutely petrified. It was for a filling and a decade had passed since the sadist who posed as my childhood dentist had wielded a drill in my direction and filled my back teeth; no anaesthetic, nothing but the drill constantly hitting a nerve and he insisting it would only be a little longer. The subsequent experience in my late twenties was something of a revelation when I received a small injection, and felt nothing at all from either that or the procedure itself.

Today I had no idea what would occur but steeled myself for the worst. "I'll  mend that straight away," the dentist said as I closed my fists around sweating palms wondering too why I had chosen to eat raw onions only a few hours beforehand; vampires and bloodletting came to mind.

Then it happened: "Do you want it numbing or should we try without?" he said. I blinked, surely the sadist from my early years had not returned.

Next, and I swear my brain detached as I observed  a little voice say, "Oh, I'll try without!"

Well, I'm all for new or even the resurrection of old experiences in retirement but I did not anticipate that for a moment. "Put your hand up, if it's painful," he said and for a while I actually thought it wasn't too bad until suddenly...and my hand shot up.

"Okay we're nearly there; a little break and we'll go again." The definite reincarnation of that practitioner from the past.

But I survived to recount the tale. I've heard dental treatment is a feature of retirement that until today I'd been spared. Fingers crossed there'll be no repetition, although alarm bells tell me it may just have been a practice run.