Sunday, February 23, 2014

even the dentist

I had my biannual dentist check-up and cleaning this week. I've never liked going to the dentist. (Does anyone?) Someone poking around in your mouth, the weird smells, that awful buzzing sound...yuck.

But I didn't realize that even the dentist would be one more reminder of our childlessness! Appointments every six months remind me that I've passed another landmark of "timeframe within which normally healthy people conceive." Bummer.

And once, a year and a half ago I think, my dentist visit happened to be right at the end of my cycle - just late enough to wonder "Am I....?" but still to early to test. So when they said I was due for x-rays, I said, "Well, I might be pregnant." (What else could I do? If I was - which I obviously wasn't - there's no way I want my baby fried by x-rays just so the dentist could see if I had any cavities!!)

They were nice about not doing the x-rays, but it got awkward. The dentist looked at my chart and said, "Well, congratulations!" eeeeek! I might be pregnant, I said. (Do I have to explain the basics of a woman's cycle??) I remember him even telling me that my teeth were probably extra-sensitive because of the pg hormones. I think it was because I don't floss enough....

So now that line is forever on my dentist's chart: such and such date, "might be pregnant." Thank God my hygenist is tactful and only asked about that the very next visit, and not since then. And I just hope and pray that my visit falls early in my cycle so I can get my x-rays with no fear and without making a fool of myself again!

I did think of one advantage that IF has brought vis a vis the dentist: compared to getting an HSG or sonohysterogram done, getting my teeth cleaned is a total walk in the park!! (find the silver lining... =))

+EcceFiat+

13 comments:

  1. I totally get this! You're right that six month time frame is killer. And yes a teeth cleaning is a walk in the park compared to an HSG :-).

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  2. I also went to the dentist this fall and needed a filling. I was p+11 so I had to ask if it would be safe for pregnancy (since this could be THE ONE cycle in the past 25 I could be pregnant, right?) Wrong, I wasn't pregnant and found myself later wishing I scheduled the appointment earlier in my cycle. The dentist and his assistant proceeded to go on for 20 minutes about how parenting is the best adventure of one's life, etc. They even talked about how easily their kids were conceived and joked about it being dangerous to allow their wife to go to a baby shower, since undoubtedly she would want another one and lo and behold 2 weeks later they would get pregnant. I left in tears and then totally lost it when AF showed up a few days later. I am sorry you had to go through this and am grateful your hygenist doesn't bring it up every visit you have back there. God bless and you'll be in my prayers.

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  3. LOL about dentist vs. HSG

    And yeah... fortunately, my dentist in Pittsburgh (and, er, I haven't been to one since we moved) never put that stuff in their charts. So no one noticed when I was 5 weeks pregnant at one appointment, and then not pregnant 6 months later :-/

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  4. Oh, man, I never thought about how the dentist would figure into all of this, but I can see how it really would!

    Hey, I may have asked you this before, but can I get your email? There've been several times that I have wanted to respond to something that you said on my posts or whatever, but didn't have or couldn't find you're address. If you're okay with that, you could email me at catholicmutt(at)gmail(dot)com. If not, that's okay, too. :)

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  5. Too funny...in the beginning of my IF journey...I used to be careful of that kind of thing too...but not anymore. I do what I have to do. Yes, going to the dentist is easier than going in for an HSG...LOL.

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  6. I love my dentist, but my Catholic hygienist had IVF and now has a little boy. I avoided her for a couple of years, but now she's cleaning my teeth again. She tried to convince me that it was okay for her to do IVF because they had male factor IF and she was fine. How does one explain that no, it isn't while you have someone with their fingers in your mouth????

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  7. I'll never forget the first time I was asked that question at the dentist...it was before I was even married!!! ...so No Chance of being pregnant then. IF makes so many little unexpected things tough.

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  8. You've made me very grateful for my dentist's office! They're all women and extremely compassionate. As a result of the questions about medications and all the "are you pregnant?" questions, I told them about our IF, and they've been really great about it. Hope your teeth were all fine!

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  9. Yes, so true! I feel like my story is identical to yours. The first time I went to my new dentist, they wanted to do x-rays and I told them no because I "just knew" I was probably pregnant and didn't want to harm my baby. Ummm, yeah, we know how that turned out. And just like you, every time I go back, they ask me about pregnancy, well, because I'm the dummy who went and basically told them to perma put it in my chart. Sigh. I feel your pain!

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  10. I agree. A dentist’s appointment is really way better compared to an HSG procedure, because you only feel uncomfortable at the start of the procedure, and it tends to vanish quickly with the help of an accommodating dentist and staff. Anyway, good for you for having a dentist’s check-up twice a year. Somehow your mind is at ease with regards to dental problems.

    Lenita

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  11. You’ll get used to the prodding around in your mouth, the smells, and buzzing sounds during dental after sometime. Actually, it wasn’t as bad as it sounds. Besides, it’s totally a walk in the park to feel your clean teeth after the treatment.

    Bettye Primm @ Back Mountain Dental

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  12. Relating your pregnancy status to a dentist’s conclusions with regard to your dental health could be quite weird. But since our dental health reacts to our body’s status, you might be onto something there. Haha! Anyway, thanks for sharing this with us. Have a great day!

    Benny Murray @ Dental Care of South Jersey

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  13. Thank you for letting me post on your blog. Wanted to share an experience that I had with my local dentist. He offered to show me how to care for my teeth after noticing I was brushing incorrectly. He took 15 minutes from his busy day to show me how to floss and brush that will help me avoid gum disease in the future.

    Joanna @ Westheimer Dentist

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