Last night I couldn’t sleep because I was distracted and worried about my palate was swollen and the simple pressure from my tongue was painful. I suppose it was for the same reason that I didn’t feel like eating dinner. I was able to sleep but I was resolved to see a dentist the next day. :zzz:

I woke up feeling sore in my mouth, although it didn’t feel as sore as it was the night before. I tried opening my mouth and I couldn’t open it wide as when you make a big ‘AAH’, couldn’t even smile widely.

Went about my morning routine – shower and dress for work. I missed my bus so I took a taxi to work. Got in at the office at about 9.05am.

As I booted up my computer, went to the coffee vending machine and punched in my usual #37 – black with 1 sugar. My tummy was grumbling though because I still haven’t had anything to eat. I reached for a Kitkat bar, hoping that it won’t make it worse.

I began to do my work but really feeling uncomfortable because I could feel that my palate is still swollen on the right side. As I was resolved to see a dentist today, I remembered that I signed up for dental care through my company’s benefits package. Rang our HR and asked how does it work. She went on about to make a claim. I stopped her midway and told her that I need not make a claim yet, I still need to get to a dentist! She gave me a phone number of our provider, Cigna. After hanging up on the HR person, I dialled the number. All I got was a voicemail saying that all their agents were busy at that moment and to leave name, contact number and member ID after the beep. I didn’t leave a message because I don’t know my member ID. So, I asked my work colleagues for help on how to find a dentist.

S1 told me to ring Dentaline as they would direct me to the nearest dentist who could attend to my now-ever-growing sore mouth. She didn’t know what the number is, so I turned to trusty, old WWW to get it. I found the URL of NHS – http://www.nhs.uk/ – and I got the number of Premium Dental Care. I explained my situation but they said that they don’t attend to emergency NHS cases. I told them that I would pay, thinking that I could always claim the money back from Cigna. The receptionist was kind enough to squeeze me in their fully-booked schedule and got me an appointment for 2.45pm.

I continued on with my work. Lunchtime came and I struggled to eat brioche rolls. The pain was getting unbearable.

At 2pm, I asked S1 to drop me off where the clinic is. Thinking that it would only be a consultation, I told my boss that I would be back. Got there, took some cash from a cash machine in case the clinic don’t accept credit cards. Filled in a form and waited at the reception. There was only one other person waiting in there with me.

At around 3.15, the dentist came to get me and led me back to The Chair. He asked what was wrong and I told him about my infected palate. He asked a few more questions while he lowered the me down to almost a lying position and adjusted the head light. The assistant came in and sat at the other side of the chair. Dentist then started to examine.

A minute later, he told me that I am suffering from ACUTE GUM DISEASE!!! And that if I don’t act now, all my teeth are going to begin to move and fall off! :yikes: WHAT? How the…whadda…uh-oh. :scared: So much bacteria had accumulated that it infected my gums and is now just getting on to be more worse.

The dentist then continued on to say that in order to provide relief to my condition at hand, he needs to inject local anaesthesia so he could remove the pus of the already inflammed region of my palate. :tongue-tied: “Okay,” was all that I could say. I was still recovering from the early scare of all my teeth falling off.

And then, those needles came. :tapedshut: A few more pinches here and there and my mouth went numb. The assistant then gave me plastic goggles and placed a paper towel on my neck. It was at that moment when a vacuum sound started whirring and I felt something scratching my teeth and gums, including the palate. Anaesthesia worked, no pain at all.

When it was all done, I was asked to rinse it off as they raised the back of the chair to an upright position. It was over, for now. The dentist then turned to his computer and typed away while explaining to me how I should come back next week so he could examine and plan for my treatment sessions. He also handed me a prescription and told me that the receptionist would arrange for my appointment next week. I went out to reception and did what I was told. She then told me the cost – £110, £60 for the appointment and £50 for the emergency treatment. I paid in cash and asked for the receipt that I could present to Cigna for the claim. My next appointment was then scheduled for the 3rd of December, Friday, next week at 2.30pm.

I left the clinic and headed for Boots. By this time, it was close to 4pm. I got to the Prescriptions counter and there was a queue of about 5 people. I decided then that it will be pointless to try and make it back to work. So I rang my boss’ direct line but it was busy. I then dialled the main switchboard number and asked S2 to relay the message to my boss. I also asked M to shut down my computer after I tried to tell him (with a still numb mouth) of the dentist’s diagnosis. Told him that I would be at the office tomorrow.

When I got to the top of the queue, I handed in the prescription. Needed to get:

• Difflam spray 0.15% – instant anaesthesia, so I could eat without the pain
• Corsodyl dental gel 1% – to help ease down the infection
• Metronidazole 200mg – antibiotics, 3x a day for 7 days, that means no alcohol for a week, both the dentist and the pharmacist reminded me of that!

However, the spray was not available but they could order it for me and I could pick it up tomorrow. Damage of the medication: £20.

On the way home, I picked up oranges and grapes thinking I should try to boost on the vitamin C. I also struggled to tell the driver of the taxi where to bring me – home.

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