Dr. Jaime Oro DDS at Park & 63rd

Today, I was fortunate enough to get an appointment with Dr. Oro, a dentist referred by Sonia from work. She gave such nice praises that I knew I had to go see him instead of Dr. Nelli at Lexington. See, on Sat night, the gum portion in between two of my teeth  started swelling. Then Sunday night, as I was taking a bath, I felt a lump just below my left jaw. Yesterday morning, I felt another lump below my chin. The pain was most excruciating on Sunday. Yesterday and today was much bearable. 

So at 4:30, Ruz and I were at the clinic waiting. The whole staff were flips, and I appreciated that. I like flips helping out co-flips. The hygienist was a young flip and very pleasant. Dr. Oro was equally nice and explained to me that I was infected by a bacteria and that I needed deep cleaning in order to remove plaque and tartar which increases gum problems. He gave me 6-8 injections of a topical anesthetic to numb the swollen area, as I was at increased risk of pain there during the procedure. 

I'm soo used to cleaning (I am religious when it comes to this preventative dental care) that the sensitivity I felt was sort of, well, better tolerable since I knew what I was to anticipate.

What I wasn't prepared was this: I needed surgery.

HUWAAAT??!! I'm way too young. I'm 25. Apparently, he said that the infection has been present for some time and have already caused damage leading to bone loss just below my my two teeth. I needed bone grafting surgery. And if I don't do it, I may lose my two teeth eventually (even if they aren't loose) because it is the bone that keeps it up. He was pretty surprised that I just had my previous cleaning done on December and that the other dentist didn't see the problem. He gave me prescription meds and scheduled for me to come back in a week.

Anxiety overfilled me while I bit on my numb lower lip. SURGERY? Gosh.

Ruz and I had dinner at East after my numbness subsided (took about 3 hours post-dentist). I just had to have tempura despite my still too sensitive teeth. The age dashi appetizer was fine for my teeth condition. 

After dinner, we went to CVS and ordered my VERY FIRST PRESCRIPTION filled. It's awesome that the pharmacy was just a block from the apartment and open 24 hours. I had a copay of $10 for each medicine, so I paid $20 (well, Ruz paid) for the antibiotic and Peridex mouthwash.

                              Wish me luck!