Like many people, I hate going to the dentist. In my defense, I have a hair-trigger gag reflex and a super-sensitivity to oral pain. Still, one must look after one’s dental health, and a few years ago we found a dentist we liked, Dr. David Zilka, 301 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY.
Dr. Zilka is the one who pointed out to me my ultra-sensitivity to pain in the mouth (as opposed to pains in the butt; I have the normal sensitivity to those). Previous to visiting Dr. Zilka, I thought I had a normal threshold but was just a big baby (yes, yes, I probably am a big baby, but you don’t need to emphasize the fact, those of you who were about to) (you know who you are). So when I get fillings from Dr. Zilka, I get a good dose of pain stuff. Dr. Zilka is also the kind of chatty, friendly fellow you can have a conversation with. When your mouth is not full of dental instruments.
Still, going to the dentist for routine checks and cleanings is easy and even pleasant to postpone. And then I started to get a twinge of pain when I chewed certain foods on a certain tooth. Oh dear. I thought I probably just needed a filling so made an appointment for a check and cleaning.
Of course as the day got closer I considered putting it off. It was only a twinge of pain after all. Surely another day would be just as good. As it turned out, calling to reschedule seemed more effort than just going to the damned appointment. Does that ever happen to you?
The lady who checked me in recognized me at once, noticed that I had lost weight (a sure way to win my heart) and welcomed me back. I do like a friendly staff. I was soon in the chair wishing I had brought a book. I amused myself while I waited for the dentist by looking out the window and noticing how many cars ran the red light at the corner of Mohawk and South Bellinger Streets.
When Dr. Zilka asked was I having any symptoms and I described my pain (full disclosure: it had gotten worse from the original small twinge), he put away the equipment for cleaning and said he was changing my appointment type, he needed to check this out at once, he wanted an x-ray, this could be serious. Yikes! I don’t remember what all he said it could be, but I heard the words “root canal” and “bacteria getting into the bloodstream.”
“So it’s good I’m here,” I said.
He said it was.
It turned out to be a cracked tooth. Dr. Zilka will be able to fix it with a filling. He offered to do it that day, but I might have to wait a while since he had another patient. I opted to make an appointment. For one thing I was getting hungry and did not feel like eating with a numb mouth. If I plan ahead, I can eat a large snack before I get the filling. Planning ahead is, of course, not my strong suit, but we do what we can.
As I made the appointment, I chatted with the ladies at the desk about what would be safe to eat till I get my filling. I volunteered to eat nothing but cottage cheese (I seem to remember doing that for a few days once in high school, long story). This suggestion was not highly thought of, but then I thought of mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese. We discussed recipes. This is the kind of sociable office I like.
For more information about Dr. Zilka’s office visit his website, http://www.doctorzilka.com, or call 315-866-2460.
Mohawk Valley Girl 