Truly Tragic Teeth

If I could go back in time and change one thing, it would quite possibly involve my past dental care, or lack thereof. I neglected my teeth, and it is a source of permanent embarrassment and frustration.

I cannot place my finger specifically on when my poor dental hygiene habits began; perhaps it's something that has persisted from a young age? All I know beyond a shadow of a doubt is that my teeth are fucked. Utterly fucked. A simple inventory includes: more fillings than I care to count, three extractions, a root canal, and a permanent crown.

Additionally there has been a whole lot of pain, inconvenience, and expenditure involved.

Already in 2022 I've had six dental appointments; five of these were for the treatment course for fitting a permanent crown on my front tooth (at an eye-watering £282.50 cost). The latest was an emergency appointment today for severe toothache which woke me up last night demanding I take painkillers in order to sleep. I am now on a course of antibiotics (another £9.35 prescription) as dental x-rays suggest I have an infection under one of my teeth. Wonderful.

I recall fondly (sarcasm) when I had a dental abscess and my jawline was severely swollen back in 2012 which led to one of my extractions. I definitely am not looking for a repeat of that incident, hence my proactive and preemptive appointment today.

My permanent crown does not even look good in truth. The dead tooth which had previously had a root canal was steadily graying which forced my hand to opt for the cosmetic improvement. It's cost me £282.50 and I aren't even particularly happy with the outcome. My dentist reassures me it will improve as my gum heals; I remain unconvinced. All this was avoidable if I had taken better care of my teeth when I was younger, fuck sake.

Permanent Crown, April 2022

Temporary Crowns, February 2022

Extraction, May 2014

Abscess and Extraction, January 2012

Extraction, May 2008

For posterity, here's a breakdown of the medication I've been compelled to take over the past week, just to deal with the unbearable pain of this abhorrent infection:

• 7,500mg Amoxicillin
• 4,400mg Ibuprofen
• 6,500mg Paracetamol
• 40mg Codeine
• 1,000mg Naproxen
• 60mg Omeprazole
• 20% Benzocaine Orajel