I have an awful, awful toothache.
I’m really, really hoping our daughter inherits my husband’s teeth and not mine as mine are mush. And because they are mush, they are always in need of work. Of course, I haven’t been to a dentist in two years so there may be some cause and effect.
But no seriously. My teeth have always been awful. And I hate the dentist. And, of course, a pregnant lady’s gums are a war zone – my toothbrush looks as though I use it as a shiv – so this was bound to happen. I had a root canal done and, seriously don’t lecture me, I never had the crown put on. At the time, I didn’t have the money, and then I didn’t have the time.
Remember – I also was supposed to have surgery on my sinuses last year. 2009 was not the year of Erin taking great care of her health.
So now I believe I have problem. No, I know I do. And I have to find a new dentist because the old one isn’t in our network and, oh, by the way, we just got a bill for $1600 in the mail for the CF testing we had done. We were told it would be about $400. So there’s that.
I’m grateful for our insurance, I am, because I know plenty of people who don’t have the peace of mind we do because our insurance does allow us to get tested and be compensated for myriad testing that it does cover. But dear God I hate having to call them and do the back and forth dance. And basically I know I’m going to have to just suck it up, write a big, fat check and move along.
I hate doing that, even though I’ll enjoy crossing that off of my to-do list.
So I’ll be darned if I’m going to use my current dentist and incur even more charges. This just means now I have to really, really find one in my network and go because eating is a chore right now. Stupid pregnancy gums. Stupid genetics. Stupid insurance.
Strangely enough, I didn’t sit down to complain about my insurance and all of things it won’t cover but it’s been angering me to a ridiculous degree and I’m already a hormonal, zombie mess. I’m not yelling and screaming or reacting irrationally. I’m not throwing things and crying (much). I am just at that point where I can feel The Crazy circulating through my system and it’s uncomfortable and just makes me want to curl up on the couch and have Scott rub my feet until I’m sufficiently numb and zonked out with TV.
I haven’t been keeping the best diet, which I know is part of it. So I’m purposely cutting out the junk for the time being. The not-ideal dietary choices are no doubt having an effect here and as much as I’d like to rationalize banana bread for breakfast, it’s a bad idea. A yummy, yummy bad idea.
Thankfully Scott is more than supportive and funny and kind about all of this. Whenever I look at him and say, “I’m just a mess! I can feel it!” he does something to make me laugh and then orders me to the couch to watch awful TV. Or to go to bed. Or something equally indulgent and sweet. I’m assuming it’s what’s keeping me from actually having a meltdown.
That and all of the apple pies I’ve been making. So maybe I won’t cut those out.
I was told two years ago that I need approximately $16K of dental work and although I have coverage, it’s capped at $1,500 benefit per year. Not sure that taking 10 years to do the required work would be helpful but I’m also pretty sure that my current strategy (doing nothing) is not going to take me anywhere I want to be, either. Kudos for you for getting your teeth fixed and remember, it’s better late than never.
I am so not thrilled to learn that pregnancy affects the gums. I mean, how the hell does that make any sense in the world? Is there a single part of a woman’s body that pregnancy doesn’t totally f with? Hang in there, buddy. And as far as the baby inheriting good or bad teeth, my dad has awful teeth, my mom has amazing teeth, and my brother and I both inherited my mom’s naturally good and strong teeth. Here’s hoping the same happens to baby Smith!
From your mouth to God’s ears, love.
Seriously. I am not even including some of the worst of the lovely surprises that creating a human life brings to you and your body. I wake myself up farting. I can’t cough, laugh or sneeze without emitting excess bodily fluid everywhere. Would you like me to tell you about the body hair? Because that’s awesome as well.
Most of this is kept under wraps because if it wasn’t, the human race would die out and dogs would rule the planet.
Oh, the body hair! I actually thought I had hirituism and was worried I had a hormonal disorder during pregnancy until I read that preggos hold on to more of their body hair!!
My teeth totally started falling apart when I was pregnant. I had a tooth that basically fell apart (I had about half of it left). Another tooth, which also chipped, turned out to be a crown. A CROWN. Just typing that word makes my wallet hurt.
I put off seeing a dentist at the time because I was uninsured. My daughter is now almost 18 months old. I finally went to see the dentist about a month ago; I was running a marathon in early Oct and was afraid the gaping hole would end up getting infected and prevent me from running (priorities, you know). He ended up yanking the tooth, and now I have an even bigger gaping hole in my mouth, because I don’t have the cash for a bridge or an implant. Let’s not forget about the other crown that will have to be replaced when it inevitably falls off.
Sorry, long story that probably doesn’t make you feel any better, but I know how it feels to have dental woes. I never knew pregnancy could affect one’s teeth. I also know what you mean about the Crazy. I was so there. But all of the crappy stuff that came along with pregnancy was totally worth it. Hang in there!
I also had this issue while pregnant. My gums were bloody, my teeth were loose, and I had a terrible toothache that was from a cavity. Since it was a back tooth, I had the dentist pull my tooth since it was $45 as opposed to $115 for a filling and $1000 for a cap. I had no dental insurance at the time. Good Luck and I will hope for the best for you.
I HATE going to the dentist – so much that I put it off for…5 years? I can’t even remember. I just went last week. I have $4,000 in work that needs to be done and now need to see a periodontist too. This will be my life for probably the next 2-3 years. Sometimes I’m tempted to just say forget it, and get dentures, and I’m only 41. But I won’t – I’ll just bitch about it instead.
I don’t know if you’ve done it already or if she’s in your network, but I really liked the treatment/toothside manner of Lillian Obucina. She’s downtown at 55 W. Washington, I believe. I need to go back. I just got the cleaning done. I have some serious tooth problems, myself. Sigh.