Quote:
Originally Posted by rechu
My husband just had to have an infected wisdom tooth pulled. He knew it could eventually be an issue and was talking about going to have it seen by a dentist right before Covid hit. Before he could set up an appointment, Covid arrived. Some dentist offices closed completely and others were only seeing limited emergency cases.
So, like a lot of people, he put going to the dentist on the back burner, assuming that the pandemic wouldn't last too long. Even in the best of times, he is kind of a germaphobe, so he was really nervous about going to the dentist when Covid cases were high, even once offices opened again.
Towards the end of last week it started hurting and by the weekend he was in a lot of pain. Fortunately, our case levels are still relatively low and he has had his booster, so he felt comfortable enough making one of the first dentist appointments of the day. The tooth was infected, so they pulled it. The dentist said it was good he came in when he did, before the infection was able to spread to his jaw or other surrounding areas.
I should probably see about going in for a cleaning and check-up at that clinic. My husband said he felt comfortable with the precautions they were taking, and I haven't been to the dentist since before this all started.
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I scheduled my dental appointments at the VA, where they are (a) required to wear masks and (b) required to test all dental patients the day before for Covid. So I have two appointments for the dentist (periodontal disease cleaning or checking) in January 2022 - one to get the Covid test on the day prior to the dental appointment, and the other to attend my dental appointment. I might chicken out. I'm scared. But I'm boosted. So I don't know.
My T told me yesterday that I have the symptoms of OCD, but she told me not to pay attention to labels. But still, it's another mental disorder.
Anyway, I don't know how to not do these rituals of isolating, reading up on the latest news about Covid, washing my hands, avoiding touching many things, wearing double masks/double gloves/goggles/hair coverings whenever I have to open my apartment door - even for a second, etc. I don't have the energy to clean and disinfect all the time, so I don't do that, but that is why I use washcloths to open up my cupboards and apartment doors inside.
My hands are now bleeding and cracked because I've washed too much, and had to deal with packing my entire apartment up because there will be about 3 to 4 people in my apartment tomorrow - likely unmasked - to do a fire sprinkler inspection for about 15 to 30 minutes. They told us they have to inspect all rooms and all closets, so I decided to safeguard my stuff, and I have enough air purifiers to circulate while my patio door will be open so that fresh air can get in. I'm a mess and freaking out.
I want to do things like walk and go to the dentist and even get the braces I have been putting off for years now. But I can't seem to do anything I enjoy anymore.