I felt the tender pain in my gums. They felt extremely sore for a very long time. They hurt so bad that even eating was sometimes painful. I instantaneously knew something was wrong. A trip to the dentist was what I needed, so I went. I genuinely loathe the dentist. The feeling of latex gloves touching my teeth and gums makes me sick to my stomach. Even the all too familiar scent that a dentist’s office has makes me hyperventilate.

The worst part is the drills and needles. I am so fortunate that I never get any cavities because if I did I am sure I would become petrified like a deer in headlights on a stormy night. The needles they use to put me to sleep are the worst. The prick is a puncture from a large bee or wasp. They try to make me feel better by telling me that they use a numbing spray to counteract any pain from the needle. When the first started to find a vein in my inner right elbow area the only thoughts running through my mind were that they had to be lying so I would not freak out. The pain was unbearable to me and tears had already started to form. They couldn’t even find a vein! I felt like I wanted to bolt from the chair, but I knew that I could not. They switched to my left wrist, and the discomfort was agonizing. I finally fell into an intense sleep.