Past Dental Experience

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I was brought up in a family that didn't go to the doctor for every cold and splinter. It was in the early 50's when I was born, 1951 to be exact, and there wasn't the media and everyone looking down their noses at ya if you didn't do as they felt you should. My grandmother was the caregiver in the family. She didn't take care of her teeth and neither did my mom and uncle so, I didn't have that experience or any role models. I recall my grandmother holding teeth in her head with chewing gum. That is the God's honest truth of it. We didn't go to dentists. When my mom and I moved back here from Pocatello I was about 14 years old. I was having a very bad toothache and my mom took me to the dentist. He told me that if I didn't start taking care of my teeth I would be losing them by the time I was 25. (I am 64 now. Still have about 12 of them) So, when I grew up and had a job that payed dental I did start going every 6 months or so. The last time I remember going is probably in the 90's sometime. It's been a while. I had some bad experiences down through the years too. I was in for a root canal and the dentist had a bit of a attitude to say the least. I told him I could still feel it and he said that was ridiculous. When he went back to work I felt pain and grabbed his arm. He continued and then I clawed his arm. Then, and only then, did he stop. Needless to say he didn't get a good review from me. I was MAD!! Then there was an instance when I took my daughter to a children's dentist. The place had been highly advertised as a great place for kids. I made an appointment and they told me at that time that we had the option of using the laughing gas. So, I felt okay with going there. My kids and I don't react well to laughing gas. It upsets us. So, after a preliminary exam the dentist and his helper both spoke me. They wanted to use the laughing gas going forward. I said "No way!" They both worked on me and tried to get me to. Finally I went ahead and okayed it feeling that perhaps it would be okay. It wasn't. She was very upset. I felt awful. So, those are my experiences with dentists. I will say this-- the people I dealt with today were wonderful.