No matter the country, when the dentist initially looks in your mouth and says in a low tone, “ooooooh…” you know it’s not a good sign. Throughout my life, I have heard this phrase over and over due to my embattled dental history. My dental drama began in the first grade and has never stopped. About 99% of people say, “I hate going to the dentist;” I, on the other hand, say “My dentists (yes, plural) are my friends because I see them so often.” Every stage of my life has been marked by some new dental procedure or “situation,” and unfortunately, China is no longer exempt.
On Saturday, my only filling came out while I was eating dinner. It was quite unnerving, as I knew a trip to the Chinese dentist was now inevitable. Monday morning, with a recommendation from foreign friends, I went to a Chinese dentist.
Dr. Zhao and his assistants
The first thing the Chinese dentist did as he peered into my mouth was utter the dreaded, “oooooh…” Uh-oh, I thought. This could get interesting. He proceeded to take an x-ray of my tooth and determined that replacing the filling was the appropriate solution. I looked at him and asked, “Can you describe what you’re going to do so I can be prepared?” (I figured if I knew what was coming I could at least brace myself). Dr. Zhao responded by saying that he was going to completely clean the tooth out, wash the area, and then replace the filling.
As I laid back in the dentist chair, Dr. Zhao unleashed the dental drill and started drilling away inside my mouth. About 30 seconds into drilling, he applied so much pressure and it hurt so badly that I instinctively jumped up in the seat and grabbed my mouth. My sudden movement caught him by surprise as he lost his hand on the drill and knocked around inside my mouth because of it. Without any painkillers or anything to numb my mouth, I could feel everything as he was drilling. It was terrible! …the sound, the pain, the smell, everything…
If the drilling wasn’t bad enough, while he washing the area out with cold water and blowing air, it took every ounce of strength not to reach up and tear the hoses out of his hand. The exposed nerves were so sensitive and the cold water and air blowing on them was awful.
The situation greatly improved over the next hour though. Dr. Zhao completely replaced the filling, using the same tools and techniques that we use in America. He said everything looked great. His first comment after the procedure was complete was, “It is over. You looked very nervous the whole time.” I told him that yes, I am always nervous at the dentist office. (And in my mind, I was thinking, “all you had to do was numb my mouth to make me relax!” but no…)
Overall, it was a positive experience. My filling is fixed, and after I popped a few ibuprofen, most of the pain went away. I think what I took away most from this experience is how thankful I am that I have not needed any more serious medical attention in the past year. Health and safety is definitely something to continue to pr-y about. Thank you for remembering this in your thoughts!
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What happens when you're in the middle of China, sitting alone in the waiting room at the dentist? ... you do anything possible to keep your mind off the upcoming procedure and pain that awaits. Hence, the following photo shoot:
Scared!! Listening to pump-up music on my ipod to get psyched up (love you DJZ!)
Feel a little better after seeing what appears to be official dental certification. A good first step!
Pouting because my mom isn't here to hold my hand...
Free toothbrushes are a perk of going to the dentist in every country
A staple in all dentist offices
What can make me feel better than finding a Chinese edition of Cosmopolitan with Jackie Chan on the front?!?!
Just like at home
Like home, minus the lighter... just in case you need a smoke break?? ...
Please G-d, keep all of these utensils away from my mouth!
Dr. Zhao and I post-filling. Friends! (although it might take a few days for me to forgive him for not giving me pain meds...)
Dear Dr. Coyle, Dr. Elliot, Dr. Dykhouse, Dr. Engle,
Dr. Haggerty, & Dr. Smith:
In case I never mentioned it before, THANK YOU for the many of doses of anesthesia, painkillers, and laughing gas you've given me. I promise I'll never again take it for granted! Look forward to seeing you and hopefully getting all dental procedures out of the way at home in December!
