View Full Version : My Dental dilema
Most of you already know my struggles to get a filling on NHS...emergency appointment will be July so have private appointment on Wednesday. I was a wake most of the night with toothache. one of my neighbours suggested clove oil so I have been out to buy some this morning. I got to the car and decided to put some on straight away. I rubbed it all over the tooth, gums and surrounding area. THEN I read the instructions...DO NOTapply to gums or surrounding area :( I didn't even have a bottle of water with me :( I know you should read instructions BEFORE using something...I was just so desperate to numb the pain :D Home now and have given my mouth a good rinse out.
What is worrying me more now is that I told the pharmacist that it was aching right up to my eye now. She said "It may be infected and if it is you won't be able to get it filled until you take antibiotics" so now I am getting more anxious about that! I just wish I could fast forward the clock to Wednesday afternoon and it will be over with!
bernie1977
20-05-13, 14:35
I'm with you all the way on the fear of the dentist. I've tried clove oil but found it didn't work for long. Had better success with Orajel from the chemist, that too contains clove oil but also benzocaine which is a stronger numbing agent.
The pain you're feeling could be nerve damage. I once needed a root canal and they couldn't do it as I had an abscess so had to take antibiotics to clear infection before they could treat it. It's nothing to worry about as believe me you don't want them doing work on a tooth with an abscess.
Hope you sleep better tonight and good luck for Wednesday xx
Thank you Bernie...I just want it sorting before my holiday on Sunday. It feels like all the teeth, top and bottom are aching now :(
purple to black
20-05-13, 15:47
I can so relate to this. although I think you are doing slightly better than me, I also have the dentist on Wednesday and have huge toothache and im assuming an infection as the gum is sore and swollen. How do you manage to get the work done? Im in so much pain and annoyance and I also have a fear of meds so I cant take anything either but my fear of the dentist outweighs the pain, its driving me nuts. I hope you get on ok, Annie and enjoy your holiday : )
I just wish it was all over and done with as I am sure you do to. I hope your appointment goes well. We will have to report back on Wednesday. At least I have an early appointment 8:30.
purple to black
20-05-13, 16:48
My appt isnt until 1.30pm and as much as im suffering ive just this feeling I wont be able to do it. Its the fear of the numbing agent in my body thats making me panic about it. Dont think my teeth have ever been so clean im constantly brushing them to get rid of the pain lol
smileforawhile
20-05-13, 18:37
Sorry to hear about your toothache and dental issues. My dad swears by Oraldene mouthwash before and after treatment and he has had a lot of visits to the dentist over the years. Think it numbs but is also antibacterial. Best wishes. x
My appt isnt until 1.30pm and as much as im suffering ive just this feeling I wont be able to do it. Its the fear of the numbing agent in my body thats making me panic about it. Dont think my teeth have ever been so clean im constantly brushing them to get rid of the pain lol
I hope you can get through the appointment and get the treatment you need. Try to think positive..you can do it! (I will try to do the same!)
---------- Post added at 18:59 ---------- Previous post was at 18:58 ----------
Sorry to hear about your toothache and dental issues. My dad swears by Oraldene mouthwash before and after treatment and he has had a lot of visits to the dentist over the years. Think it numbs but is also antibacterial. Best wishes. x
Thank you for the tip :)
purple to black
20-05-13, 20:23
Ty Annie same to you : )
I have the consultation with the dentist this morning (filling done tomorrow) and I am a nervous wreck...so anxious this morning. Butterflies in my tummy, shaking, crying. I have to drive there myself (15 minutes) I am so scared. I hope it is just the dentist that has got my anxiety back up..I was doing so well and now I am back to square one! :weep::weep::weep::weep:
Annie, just seen your post. I hope you get it sorted. Surely the consultant will help you this morning. This has gone on long enough. Stay Strong:hugs:
purple to black
21-05-13, 08:20
Aww sending you positive thoughts.
good luck today annie ...
:blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :blush: :D :winks: :D :winks: :blush: :D
I am back...sitting crying and shaking :weep::weep::weep: The dentist is such a lovely man. I told him everything that has happened at the other dentist. he told me his wife suffers from panic attacks. he has had specialist training for anxiety. He said out of all the years he has been treating patients with anxiety he has never met one as anxious as me before :(
He x rayed my mouth and said the tooth now needs to come out :( He is going to do it in the morning at 8:15. He said I can take 6mg diazepam tonight and he will sedate me tomorrow. He said that because it has gone on for so long and I have been passed from pillar to post he is only going to charge me a total of £90. He has also told me that he doesn't take on NHS patients now but will make an exception for me as he really wants to help me. Him being so nice made me cry even more. I am now really panicking about tomorrow :(
Annie, I had a tooth out a few months back...I was scared beyond belief but it really wasn't half as bad as I had imagined and such a relief to get the damn thing out! You will be fine, stay strong :hugs: Kitti xx
Thank you kitti. He has given me antibiotics to start taking now to avoid infection as he knows I am going on holiday on Sunday. I will wait to see how I feel on Thursday to see if I should cancel the holiday or not.
---------- Post added at 12:25 ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 ----------
Kitti...was yours a back tooth? Did you have stitches? I am so scared I might need stitches.
bernie1977
21-05-13, 12:51
Glad to hear that you're getting it sorted and that you've found such a kind and caring dentist.
When you've had the tooth out make sure you read the paperwork he gives you as you really need to look after your mouth after having an extraction, I don't want you to get dry socket or anything when you have the holiday on Sunday.
Well done for going xx
Thank you Bernie....I am so scared :(
bernie1977
21-05-13, 13:02
You will be but I know you can do this. You will feel calmer tonight after taking the Diazepam then when you get to the dentist he'll give you sedation and you won't remember a thing until you come round. I had a back tooth removed a few years ago as they couldn't do root canal on it as the infection had gone too far. The dentist told my partner it came out quick and easy in one piece. I can't remember anything, I woke up in bed a few hours later not remembering any treatment or getting home. I have IV sedation, is that what you're having?
I think you need to do something to distract yourself for the rest of the day or you're going to get yourself into an even worse state. :hugs:
The last tooth I had out at my dentists he tried for 1.5 hours and couldn't get it out. I only had local anaesthetic. He drilled some of the bone away and cut my gum. In the end the tooth snapped off and the root stayed in so he just stitched my gum up and referred me to the hospital. I had GA at the hospital and the dentist there said it would take 15 minutes, it took an hour and I woke up in theatre while he was still pulling the tooth out :( I had stitches again. They were supposed to dissolve but they didn't and they got infected. I had to go back to hospital to get them out. I am having IV sedation tomorrow and I don't mind that but I am just so scared it is going to go wrong and he won't get it out or I might need stitches again. I can't stop crying today. My hubby is away until Thursday night. My daughter is taking me tomorrow.
Thank you kitti. He has given me antibiotics to start taking now to avoid infection as he knows I am going on holiday on Sunday. I will wait to see how I feel on Thursday to see if I should cancel the holiday or not.
---------- Post added at 12:25 ---------- Previous post was at 10:34 ----------
Kitti...was yours a back tooth? Did you have stitches? I am so scared I might need stitches.
It was a wisdom tooth Annie & no stitches at all...honestly the thought of having it removed was so much worse...it was all over in no time and healed really quickly. I think it is highly unlikely that you will need stitches.
:bighug1: You'll be fine Annie xxx :flowers:
I know I keep telling myself that the last one had been previously filled (root filling) and it was stuck to my bone. That is why it was so difficult to get out. This one hasn't been filled so should be easier but I just can't calm down. I am shaking and crying and can't stop. Maybe I should take a diazepam now?
---------- Post added at 13:16 ---------- Previous post was at 13:15 ----------
I'm on my own...hubby away until Thursday night :(
Hey Annie, i'm glad you have antibiotics as that means this iwll clear any infection up. its very likely as bernie said that you wont recall this all happening. What I'd likeyou to try is lie down on your bed, do some deep breathing exercises to relax yourself. Now visualise yourself after this is all over, you are happy, relaxed and relieved. keep telling yourself you are happy, relaxed and relieved. I know you are nervous and I appreciate why but what you want to do is slow your thoughts down, stop thinking the worst & like I say remind yourself soon you will be happy, relaxed and relieved.
All I can think is I will need lots of stitches and I will be in lots of pain. Oh why do I always think the worst! I have given myself a headache now with panicking so much. I hope I will be back tomorrow telling you all what a wimp I have been and it was fine!!
you're not a wimp annie, just a human being and human beings (as we all know to our cost) have a habit of over-thinking things! I have over-thought about stuff I am scared of & given myself headaches and a sore throat before now. it hasnt helped you have had to wait and you've been messed about so much. you are going to get there though an you will be so glad when it's all over & you can get back to normal.....
Snoodlester
21-05-13, 19:06
Oh Annie, I'm so sorry you're going through this at the moment. I hope you've been able to take your mind of it today. As Tessar said, just visualise yourself this time tomorrow and how relieved you'll be that it's all over with. Sue x
At the moment I am visualising myself tomorrow in agony with millions of stitches in my gum! Oh dear what am I like? I must change these thoughts...I must change these thoughts... Just wish it was over with! Sitting watching the clock waiting for bedtime so I can take my diazepam
Hey, Annie..... what's all this!!!????? "At the moment I am visualising myself tomorrow in agony with millions of stitches in my gum!"
STOP IT - STOP IT - STOP IT - YA HEAR???????
Yes..... what are youI like? Naughty naughty that's what!!!
Have you managed to change those thoughts
YES YOU MUST CHANGE THOSE THOUGHTS!!!!!
It will be over soon.
Bedtime will not come any quicker unless you distract yourself.
RIGHT; STOP WATCHING THE CLOCK!!!!!
What have you got you can busy yourself with ?
A good film?
Something you've recorded off the TV & have been waiting for a "rainy day" to watch?
Your old favourite DVD perhaps?
DO IT - COZ I SAID SO!!! NOW!!!!
Snoodlester
21-05-13, 19:30
Nooo, stop it - positive thoughts only please! You'll be so chillaxed from the sedation you'll be fine xx
oh I just can't believe how bad anxiety is :( The things it does to our poor bodies. I can't concentrate on anything :( I am going to run the bath with some of my Sanctuary spa sleep bath float in then phone my hubby...or maybe I will do it the other way round :unsure:
Annie,
I understand exactly how you feel.
My last visit to the dentist was two years ago.
I needed a filing on one of my lower molars, which was complicated because it was at my gum line.
My gum reacted to the filing and swelled.
The dentist wanted to take the tooth out but i didnt want to lose my first tooth.
But after two weeks of constant painkillers and three visits back to the dentist I eventually asked HIM to take it out.
I have never had pain or the trauma that you have been through
But I do have the panic attacks, and my biggest fear is that I will run out of the surgery with a half drilled tooth or collapse and have the ambulance called.
I bit into a ginger snap last week and a chip of tooth came of my front tooth. I HAD to get it 'fixed'. Cos it was my front tooth. I have no fear of the needle, or the drill... It's just me. The fear of the fear getting out of control.
It is our stupid, stupid thoughts that fuel our panic.
Ive just read your messages, and I wish I had earlier because I would have told you to take some Valium earlier. It would've calmed you down enough to rationalise your thoughts and stop the spiral of panic. Hopefully your ok now though.
I know the drs are on a mission to stop Valium. But it is a brilliant drug used correctly for such emergencies as this.
You WILL come home tomorrow and tell us all on this forum how easy it was and that your thoughts were worse than the event.
I'm so glad you got a good understanding dentist, and also that his wife has panic attacks, cos that would reassure me that he definitely knows how you feel
I will be thinking of you tomorrow. I know you will be ok. Take care xx
Thank you for your lovely comments Dally. I don't know what I would do without all my lovely friends here on NMP :)
almamatters
21-05-13, 21:38
Hi Annie, found the right thread! hope you are feeling ok :hugs: x
Yes it is confusing...we have similar threads and appointments on the same day. Going to take some diazepam just now...hopefully I will have good news to post tomorrow. I just want it over and done with. terrified in case he can't get it out and I will have to go to the hospital again :(
almamatters
21-05-13, 21:43
I know how you feel Annie, but I'm crossing my fingers that it goes smoothly for you. Hopefully the diazepam will help you and your appointment tomorrow will be over before you know it. Take Care. :hugs:
Hi Annie, I just read your thread ... sounds like you have had an awfully scary experience in the past and I don't blame you for being afraid. I will say I have had 8 teeth out (4 molars, 4 wisdom) and all went well so I am sure that you will have a better experience this time around. It sounds like you have a wonderfully caring dentist as well. You can't end up in more pain than it sounds like you are in now, right?
I hope it all goes well, I'll be thinking about you tomorrow and hope you are feeling better next time you post. :hugs:
Getting ready now to go to the dentist...I can't stop shaking and shivering and feeling so nauseous. 2 more hours and it should be over with.
Annie, I've been thinking about you this morning..... and I'm hoping it went ok.
Hopefully the positive vibes I have been sending will have helped you.
Oh, I keep reading your threat title as mental dilema!!!! Doh!!!
Hi everybody, Annies daughter here. Just to let you know she is fine. The tooth came out in 2 seconds, she has had no stitches, and on coming round from the anaesthetic has requested a full english breakfast with no black pudding for her dinner at my wedding, ha ha ha.
bernie1977
22-05-13, 10:05
Glad to hear everything went well and that she's ok. She was the first thing I thought about this morning as I can imagine how scared she'd be.
Let's of love Annie xx :hugs:
NE21 worrier
22-05-13, 10:06
Haha! Great to hear she's ok! :)
I would have posted earlier in this thread but I've been away. However, I did read through it this morning, and was waiting for it to be bumped back to the top of the message board so that I could send my congratulations.
So glad Annie has gone through with it, hope she makes a quick recovery.:hugs:
ElizabethJane
22-05-13, 10:09
Great news glad Annie is feeling better. EJ
thank you I a still abiy wozzy rom the sedatioih
bernie1977
22-05-13, 10:30
thank you I a still abiy wozzy rom the sedatioih
:roflmao: you sound wellied! Sleep it off
i an going to slrep my mouyg id sotre
bernie1977
22-05-13, 10:35
Ok Annie although I don't understand what you mean! I remember that feeling from the dental sedation, enjoy!
Snoodlester
22-05-13, 10:56
Glad you made it - we'll done Annie! X
I have had a little sleep,,,sorry I din't make much sense. I feel really sleepy..the roof of y mouth is sore and my mouth is bleeding.There is blood on my sheets :(
Annie, i know it's a serious matter, but "i an going to slrep my mouyg id sotre" is quite funny (which you will be able to see the funny side of when you are more awake!!!).
Sleep now as rest is the best thing for you.
and make sure you follow the instructions they gave you to the letter.
One is very proud of you too by the way!!!!:yesyes::yesyes::yesyes::yesyes::yesyes:
I think I said "I am going to sleep my mouth is sore" My daughter has just brought me some rice pudding which I am trying to eat as I haven't eaten since 6pm last night. I have a headache but that could be lack of food. My dentist, gave me his personal mobile number in case I panic about anything. He was lovely. I was so nervous I was sitting shaking in the chair and crying and he whacked the needle in and I can't remember anything else. I woke up in another room and my daughter was talking about her wedding. Apparently she asked if I wanted meat, fish or veggie at the reception and I said full English with no black pudding. My dentist escorted me to the car. He probably thought my skinny little daughter wouldnt be strong enough to hold me up! I feel really groggy but I guess the sedation takes a while to go.
Well done Annie you will feel so much better a little later and then you will realise how brave you were!! Btw, is normal for it to bleed, bite on one of those gauze pads if they gave you any and some mild salt water mouth rinses should do the trick :yesyes:
Massive big hugs to you :bighug1:what a star!! :bighug1: :flowers: xxxx
They didn't give me any gauze pads so I improvised by biting on a tampon :roflmao: A strange sight but it has stopped the bleeding!
purple to black
22-05-13, 12:55
Yay, well done, Annie. Im so pleased it all went well for you :hugs:
Yay, well done, Annie. Im so pleased it all went well for you :hugs:
Have you been for your appointment?
WELL DONE ANNIE:hugs::hugs::hugs:
They didn't give me any gauze pads so I improvised by biting on a tampon :roflmao: A strange sight but it has stopped the bleeding!
:roflmao:good thinking Annie!!! :roflmao:
almamatters
22-05-13, 15:11
Well done Annie, glad you are ok. xxxxx :)
LOL I have had to use a tampon for a bloody nose, it worked quite well. Glad you are doing a little better.
They can come in very useful :) When my son was in Air Cadets they were told to carry one with them to use as fire lighters!
purple to black
22-05-13, 17:32
Yes annie ive been and it was a total disaster. I couldnt let her do anything so ive been referred to yhe dental hospital goodness knows how long that will take, so I still have toothache and living on my high anxiety. I wish it would all just go away im not sure I can take much more. Im glad youre recovering, the tampon bit made me chuckle lol. Youre so brave x
Yes annie ive been and it was a total disaster. I couldnt let her do anything so ive been referred to yhe dental hospital goodness knows how long that will take, so I still have toothache and living on my high anxiety. I wish it would all just go away im not sure I can take much more. Im glad youre recovering, the tampon bit made me chuckle lol. Youre so brave x
I am sorry it was so difficult for you :( I hope you don't have to wait too long for the hospital appointment. Toothache is so awful xx
Well done Annie. You have done tremendously today. Now your tooth is out there will be no more problems, and you can look forward to your holiday!!
Panic attacks make us retreat from doing things when they are bad, but dental problems are things that we all have, eventually, to deal with. we have no choice.
You were brilliant today. I hope this straightforward dental experience will give you and the rest if us on here, courage to face the dentist. :doh:
I would also really like to commend your dentist. He should get an award. I know it is his job and he is getting paid for his service, but he has been so caring and gentle with you, even seeing you into the car. Well done dentist!!!
Take care xx
You are right Dally my dentist does need an award...I wish there were a lot more like him :) Feeling groggy still but I am very tired. hopefully a good nights sleep and I will feel better tomorrow.
bernie1977
22-05-13, 21:49
Glad to hear you're ok, hope you get a good nights sleep xx
Thanks Bernie...at least it is over with now xx
bernie1977
22-05-13, 21:55
Yes and you were very brave as I know how scared you were. Be kind to yourself and realise how well you did to get there. My CPN says that anxiety sufferers always beat themselves up over what they can't do and don't take enough from the successes that we have, I agree with her and know I'm guilty of doing it
I am still worrying that something will go wrong and it won't heal properly..honestly why can't I just accept that it is a job well done and I will be fine! I get so paranoid about things. I never used to be like this. I am taking the antibiotics, rinsing will salt water, it isn't bleeding..that all points to everything going well...right?
bernie1977
22-05-13, 22:04
Ensure that you read the extraction leaflet given to you by the dentist and follow it carefully. You obviously have a clot now over the extraction site and this needs to stay in place to prevent dry socket so don't poke at it with your tongue and be careful when brushing. You'll be fine I'm sure xx
Yes I read it. My daughter didn't give it to me until after I had come home and rinsed my mouth with water then I read it and it said don't rinse for 6 hours so I am worried I did something wrong.
bernie1977
22-05-13, 22:24
Have a look and see if you can see the clot still in place
Just after I came out of the dentist I had a little blood clot in my mouth and then another but I guess another will have formed in the socket? I hope so anyway. The dentist said I only have 10% risk of dry socket.
---------- Post added at 22:28 ---------- Previous post was at 22:27 ----------
It is hard to see because it is a top back tooth.
---------- Post added at 22:30 ---------- Previous post was at 22:28 ----------
I found a little mirror and had a look...it does look like there is a clot there.
Well done! I've been referred to the dental hospital but just waiting for an appointment to come through. I'm nervous about the sedation - what does it feel like?
bernie1977
22-05-13, 23:12
That's good there's a clot. You'll be ok xx
He put a needle in my arm and I can't remember anything after that :) I vaguely remember the dentist going out to the car with my daughter and I. I don't even remember the journey home. I woke up in my own bed a few hours later thinking I had slept in and missed my dentist appointment! :) Felt woozy for the rest of the day.
Annie, I hope you are feeling better today (and very proud of yourself too!) :hugs: x
Still feeling groggy but my daughter said it might be the penicillin making me feel so yuck.
I would expect penicillin can do that annie but you need to finish the course, really you do.
Also dont forget you had a sedative yesterday, that's bound to have some affect isnt it?
dont underestimate as well all that stress you have had in the lead up to all this as well because that will tire you out and leave you feeling pretty crap afterwards. You need to be patient & rest .... look after yourself!!!
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:
:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:
That sounds ideal, I'm happy to forget what happens! Well done again for doing it, I'll be nervous when my time comes but hearing your experience has helped. Why can't we have teeth that don't rot?!
That sounds ideal, I'm happy to forget what happens! Well done again for doing it, I'll be nervous when my time comes but hearing your experience has helped. Why can't we have teeth that don't rot?!
I am pleased my experience has helped some one :) I agree teeth that don't rot would be ideal :) Now I could do with some more of that sedation to get me on the plane for my holiday on Sunday!
Wow you're good at facing your anxiety! I'm going on holiday in August and at the moment I'm trying not to think about it. I'm sure we'll both be fine though, anxiety can't hurt us and we just need to remember that. Where are you going and for how long?
Thank you lizzie although I don't feel good at facing my anxiety this morning :) I feel like giving in, curling up in bed and staying there :( We are going to Croatia for a week. If I don't go my husband won't go, if he doesn't go my 83 year old parents won't go. Therefore I need to fight these negative thoughts and get there somehow. The first step today I think will be to get myself out of bed and make a cup of tea!
purple to black
24-05-13, 08:12
Annie, if you can go to the dentist and do what you did, then the holiday will be a dawdle : ) hope you feel better today. Its my cbt appt today and I have a wedding tonight I have to drive too with my daughter but im trying to do an Annie and be extremely brave : )
You will be ok Annie:hugs::hugs::hugs:
and to anyone who is feeling anxious:hugs::hugs::hugs:
You will be ok Annie:hugs::hugs::hugs:
and to anyone who is feeling anxious:hugs::hugs::hugs:
I hope you enjoy the wedding... I never want to go places but if I can manage to get myself there I usually find I actually enjoy it.
Thank you Magic
You'll be fine Annie and you'll have wonderful stories to tell us when you get back!
Good luck Magic!
I have been back to the dentist..just for reassurance :D He said it is more painful because I was in a lot of pain to start with. Everything is fine. The gum was packed when they took the tooth out so I won't get dry socket. I have to stop worrying and enjoy my holiday :)
Yay, such words of wisdom, stop worrying and enjoy your holiday!!!!!
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