I don't think I've ever heard of anyone who relished going to the dentist. However, since I began receiving treatment for Addison's disease, my dental health went to the dogs.
My deteriorating dental condition is probably the mixed result of becoming seriously ill for an extended period of time, from steroid treatment that does take a toll on the body, whether it is replacement value or not, and maybe a tad of it is age. However, after my Addison's diagnosis was made, my mouth quickly became a battlefield. Before my Addison's diagnosis, I simply enjoyed yearly cleanings with minimal intervention. Afterward, it's become so bad that I've learned to use the over-the-counter temporary filling fixative to create my own fillings when necessary; I can't live in the dental chair.
Fortunately, my dentist has been our family dentist for about twenty years. Everyone in our family goes to him. He's a brave man who is not afraid of hard work and he has a lot of experience under his belt to keep putting out the fires in my mouth. Over the years, I have spent time, a lot of pain and too much money with getting second and third opinions...all other dentists would have simply been pulling teeth to avoid the hard work necessary to help me keep my teeth together for a longer period of time. My dentist does everything imaginable to help each tooth last for as long as possible, even if the methods are unconventional, they are workable solutions that my teeth and body respond positively to. I'm thrilled that my dentist has helped to keep my jawline intact for a longer period of time.
Regardless, I am never thrilled about going to the dentist, family friend or not. I've had so many root canals that it seems I should have a canal named after me.
