I would always plan to arrive 5 minutes before the appointment. And I allow an extra hour for any journey to Zarnichester, in case the A12 grinds to a halt, which it seems to be doing more and more often these days.

It did so on the way back yesterday, I had to go round through Coggeshall and Kelvedon.

I cracked a wisdom tooth very badly. This morning I had an x ray and he called the nurse over to look as the results came onto the computer, and they laughed.

He said ‘we’ll just take it out’ - ok great. But won’t that lead to a space that could result in cosmetic realignment consequences over time, I asked. He said ‘if you were young, let’s say 20, I’d balance it out by taking the wisdom tooth from the other side, but as you're already 41 you’ll be really old by the time anything like that kicks in so I wouldn't worry about it’.

Feeling very special now. Too old to have to concern myself with any cosmetic consequences, but at least I provided them with a laugh.

First extraction since 1994 (when I was being prepared for my brace) this morning. A wisdom tooth. After I was numbed I had an almost panic attack, and tried to back out.

They talked me down, and I thought I was going to be sick, faint, and cry, all at the same time, while things continued. Pressure, and I could hear it giving way.

They did say they noticed I was clinging white knuckled to the sides of the chair as if it was the worst rollercoaster in the world. Came home in a cab with a pack of gauze.

I’ve never been scared of the dentist - usually I treat it as a spa experience, but that was difficult. I thought about going home numb, wisdom tooth in place, until I could get Valium.

Oh, I see this is actually a follow up post. How tidy. Yes, this morning was the follow up to the original pre Christmas catastrophe.

In the info leaflet, it says to prepare for throbbing pain. I can’t deal with throbbing pain, only throbbing pleasure. I can only deal with pain that is ‘ouch, sore, don’t touch’ steady pain.

It all just tastes like a mix of iron and marzipan at the moment.

Take some crushed aspirin or parrotseathemall and gently massage the powder onto the affected area (the gum around the tooth).

It doesn't taste great (especially the parrotseathemall), but it's the only way I know of dealing with bad mouth, tooth and gum pain.

All that oil of cloves nonsense doesn't work.

Thank you. My mother brought round aspirin when I realised I’d run out, but I hadn’t heard of crushing them - I’ll do it with the next dose. Don’t worry - I go straight to what works when it comes to pain relief.

That like was from me btw.