Poppy was no longer a stranger to the dental office, but that didn't make her any less anxious as she sat in the waiting room of the endodontist's clinic. Just a week after she visited the periodontist, she found herself staring at the bright, cartoonish posters on the walls again. They seemed cheerful enough, depicting smiling teeth and happy toothbrushes, but today, they did little to calm her racing heart.
After the initial appointment, where she discovered her cavity, Poppy had been dealing with increasing discomfort. She had the throbbing in her jaw again. It felt different, though, deeper and more relentless. Her mom said that the pain likely means that the decay has reached the nerve of her tooth and that she needs a root canal treatment. Poppy tried to brush it off, but "root canal" sounded ominous.
"It's okay, Poppy," Mum reassured her while they waited. "Dr. Tul-id is very experienced, and many people feel better after the procedure."
Poppy forced a smile, but the anxiety curled tightly in her stomach.
Dr. Tul-id greeted her with a warm smile, her friendly demeanor easing some of her tension. "Hi, Poppy! I heard we need to take care of that troublesome tooth today. Are you ready?"
Poppy nodded, though she felt anything but ready. "What's going to happen?" she asked, trying to sound braver than she was.
"I'll first numb the area so you won't feel anything," Dr. Tul-id explained. "Then, I will remove the infected tissue inside the tooth, clean it, and seal it so there won't be any more problems. " She assured me that it sounded worse than it was.
As Dr. Tul-id explained the procedure, Poppy positioned herself in the dental chair. The assistant placed a soft pillow behind her, making her feel more comfortable. She could see the tools on the tray beside her, each more foreign and intimidating than the last.
"Okay, let's start by applying some numbing gel," Dr. Tul-id said, and Poppy felt the coolness on her gums. A few minutes later, he returned to begin the numbing process with a small injection. She closed her eyes, trying not to see the needle. It was a slight pinch, but this had made it seem worse than it was.
"Good job, Poppy! Now, we have to wait until you feel numbness," she urged her.
"Poppy, stick out your tongue," Dr. Tul-id whispered. Poppy stuck out her tongue, feeling threatened and assaulted. She felt the pressure in her mouth because she was drifting gently into her teeth.
She was surprised the surgery didn't hurt as much as she had thought. She could feel the pressure, but it wasn't a harsh ache because of the numbness. She reminded herself that she was doing this for her health and focused on breathing evenly.
A few minutes later, Dr. Tul-id remarked, "Everything is going well. You're doing fantastic, Poppy."
As the process went on, somehow, Poppy's mind began to wonder. Regret swept over her as she realized how much she had cared for her teeth. This would not have resulted if she had taken better care of herself.
Then, Dr. Tul-id again spoke, pulling her from her thoughts. "We're almost done with the cleaning part. Just a bit of work, and we will close it up."
Finally, after what seemed like years, Dr. Tul-id declared, "All done! You did great, Poppy. We'll arrange a second session to assess your recovery progress, but you are free to go for now."
Poppy exhaled with relief. "Seriously? That's all?
"Yes! Just keep your paws crossed for the next couple of days and follow the post-treatment instructions," she handed her a care sheet.
Leaving the office building, Poppy felt proud and responsible. She had learned something far more critical than why oral hygiene was significant: she had learned a sense of personal responsibility toward changing her habits.
