I totally get the post-procedure anxiety—teeth just have a way of keeping you guessing. After my veneers, I had this weird sensitivity that came and went for months, even though everything looked perfect on x-rays. My dentist said nerves can be unpredictable, especially after major work. I usually wait a few days if something feels off, unless the pain gets worse or there’s swelling. But yeah, sometimes it’s tough not to overthink every twinge... Insurance “medically necessary” rules are such a headache too. I’ve had to appeal a couple times just to get a crown covered when it seemed obvious to me.
That’s so real—my teeth always seem to find new ways to stress me out, even after a “routine” appointment. I’m the type who googles every twinge, which probably doesn’t help. Insurance is its own nightmare... I had a filling denied once and it made zero sense. Sometimes I wonder if anyone at those companies has actually dealt with dental pain themselves.
I totally get what you mean about insurance—my kid needed a cavity filled last year and our claim got denied, too. Did you have to appeal it, or just pay out of pocket? I sometimes wonder if it’s worth fighting them or if it’s just a waste of time. Also, do you find your anxiety rubs off on your kids? I try not to let my worry show, but it’s hard.
I sometimes wonder if it’s worth fighting them or if it’s just a waste of time.
Man, I hear you. I tried appealing once when my kid needed a chipped tooth fixed after a playground mishap—let’s just say the insurance company was about as helpful as a chocolate teapot. After two rounds of paperwork and a phone call where I swear I aged a year, I just paid out of pocket. Not sure if I’d bother again unless it’s a huge amount.
About the anxiety thing... I swear my daughter has a sixth sense for when I’m stressed. I’ll be trying to keep my “everything’s fine” face on and she’ll just look at me and ask, “Are you worried?” Like, am I that obvious? Maybe kids are just mind readers. I try to make it a joke—like, “Mom’s just allergic to paperwork”—but who knows if that helps.
Do you ever feel like dental stuff is just a rite of passage for parents? Between insurance headaches and trying not to pass on our dental dread, it’s a full-time job.
It’s wild how kids just pick up on our stress, isn’t it? I’ve seen families come in where the parent is quietly anxious and, sure enough, the kid’s picking at their fingers in the chair. I always wonder if talking through the process openly helps, or if it just makes everyone more nervous. Do you find your daughter gets more anxious if you try to keep things light, or does it help her relax? Sometimes I think honesty—like, “Yeah, dental stuff is annoying but we’ll get through it”—actually works better than pretending it’s no big deal.
