Will try to keep it short but dont want to drip feed either but had to go to the dentist earlier today as one side of my face swelled up due to an ongoing problem because one of my teeth is cracked (only half of the actual tooth left) and it keeps getting infected. I need the tooth out but cant have it out at the normal dentist as they dont do sedation and cant have it out while conscious as I had a severe phobia already and a botched root canal on that tooth only made it worse so I can barely have it touched now without ending up in tears.
Am waiting on an appt to have it out in hospital clinic under sedation but theres a huge waiting list so have been waiting months already and it could be up to another 2 (dentist has put 2 urgent referrals in but hasnt seemed to make much difference tbh). Because of the wait it keeps getting infected and swelling so have had to go back frequently - this is the 4th time Ive had antibiotics in the past 6-7 months and dentist isnt happy as more than 2 lots is a bit much in her opinion but instead of taking it up with the hospital, where Id happily have the tooth out tomorrow if they wanted, she just seems to get narky at me as if somehow Im the one dragging my feet! But that alone would be ok, not everyone has a perfect bedside manner.
What I didnt like today was that, after knowing how nervous I am about dental work, knowing I have bad anxiety AND having had a long conversation about being careful about the amount of swelling, eg going to A&E if it gets at all worse etc (had the convo in that appt so its not something we said previously and she forgot), she said in a very prickly tone as I was about to leave "If the other side of your face swells, spreading to the bottom so that you look like you have a double chin, your airway can swell and close up - then you wont be able to breathe at all.... Im sure I dont need to explain what will happen then, there wont be a lot that can be done then!"
I didnt know what to say and just got out of there straight away, and tbh went round to the back of the shops where theres a seating area and cried. I totally understand the need to make it clear about the risks of leaving swelling and getting medical attention if it gets worse but that had already been covered and Id made it clear I took that seriously, and I was leaving with antibiotics - what more was I supposed to be scared into doing exactly? She knows Im very anxious, AIBU to think that was a horrible thing to leave me with? Am actually still worried and feeling panicky about going to sleep tonight now, in case I don`t wake up!
Am definitely going to change dentists but dont feel I can do that until after this tooth has been taken out because its a referral they`re chasing IYSWIM.