Well, I finally broke down two weeks ago and after taking the full week to build up the courage, I called an made a dental appt for cleaning, x-rays, and an estimate.

You see, I'm a major dental phobic!

I'v actually been experiencing sensitivity in my left upper side since Nov and it has gotten worse to the point today that it is majorly cold sensitive and my teeth are shifting so my bite is off.

I do take care of my teeth but I drink coffee and smoke so they are not white or any shade there of.

I know this guy is going to look in my mouth and go, "Holy s**t! How have you gone this long without seeing a dentist?" I won't even tell you the last time I saw a dentist but surfice it to say NO IN THIS CENTURY!

I'm off now. I have to get there early so I can build up the confidence to suck it up and walk in the front door by my appt time.

Wish me luck.

Good luck, I'm sure it will go better than you think it will.
You don't want to know how long it's been for me.

I'm with you, Craig. I'm totally dental phobic and it's been way too long for me, too. I've been trying for a year (yes a year) to pick up the phone and do what you did. Now that I know the steroids have done a number on my bones, I assume my teeth aren't that happy, either. It's time, I know. I just have to get the courage. I wonder if they can rx anti anxiety pills for this???

Good luck Craig! I'm probably one of the few who is not Dental phobic. I used to work for a dentist yrs ago, so got used to what goes on in the chair.

I go every 6 months and even then, I had a $350 filling replacement last month. One stinkin filling!!!! Hwy robbery, but thank goodness ins picked up 75% of it. No passing out Craig!!!

Good Luck!

I totally understand. If I need major work done, my dentist makes an appointment to do it and gives me a prescription for valium. LOL. Not scared of them at all, am I?

My Brother went about 35 years not seening a dentist! Not since he chipped a tooth and had a 'temporary' put in...also a tooth pulled. Finally, last year he went in and then said 'gee, don't know what took so long, it wasn't that bad!". I hope this happens for you too

His teeth look great now!!

Of course you are getting these messages after the fact, but believe me you aren't the only one he'll see this week like that! I have a friend who did the same thing you did....it turned out ok! Course the dentist wanted to do some extra work, that didn't fly!

I'm back from the dentist. Ironically I had all green lights on the way there. Too bad.

I expected him to look in my mouth and say, "You need to contact the Extreme Makeover people!"

Instead, after having a bunch of x-rays and a good cleaning with a (new to me) instrument that vibrates and rinses while cleaning your teeth rather than the old pick and scrape method I'm used to. The dentist came in and checked everything out and said, "Well, no cavities and your teeth are in great shape." I had to make sure he was talking to ME.

I went ahead and scheduled another cleaning for August. I have plenty of time to build up that courage for the next appt.

Glad THAT'S over with!

That's GREAT Craig!

"Look, Ma, no Cavities!!!!"

Congrats, Craig.