View Full Version : Dentist Phobia
I've always been terrified of the dentist. When I was a child my mum would make me go to the dentist and our dentist was horrible. I would lie there crying and begging him to stop and he would just push me back down, shout at me, and carry on. I hated it and afterwards I would get so upset I would faint and vomit, and my mum would shout at me for showing her up. The last time my mum forced me to go was when I was 18, so I haven't been to the dentist for 13 years.
I have a hole in two of my teeth. The holes have been there for years and they feel sore when I eat anything sweet, but most of the time they cause me no trouble at all. But still, I probably ought to do something. I haven't really been thinking about it recently at all though.
Then for some unknown reason, I woke up yesterday morning feeling like I could manage to go to the dentist now. Of course, it is a bank holiday weekend and I can't do anything about it until Tuesday, and by the time I can get an appointment I probably won't feel this way any more. But strangely I still feel the same today, like I could cope with it. I'd be terrified and cry and make her stop every now and then, but I think I could do it.
I looked up dentists in my area and there is one within walking distance of my house, so I could take a valium and not have to worry about driving (I'm certainly not taking my mum with me, and I don't really have anyone else). Their website says they specialise in anxious patients and children with special needs. There is only one actual dentist, so I'd be seeing the same person who sees the children with special needs, albeit not as a special needs patient, just an anxious one. But it gives me confidence in her.
I'm entitled to free NHS dental care until the end of June, but they are not taking NHS patients, so I don't know how much it will cost. I think I need at least 2 fillings, hopefully no more than that! Plus I need her to take about twice as long as a normal patient because I will keep making her pause, so I will probably have to pay extra for her time and probably wouldn't get that on the NHS anyway.
Anyway, on Tuesday I'm going to drop in and tell them I'm terrified of the dentist and if they don't laugh at me I will find out how much a check-up is and hopefully book one. I guess they can't give a firm price quote on any work that needs doing, but hopefully they can give me an idea and I can decide whether I can afford/bear to go through with it.
I have no idea why I suddenly feel able to do this now, but I think I ought to capitalise on it and get my teeth sorted out. Who knows, if she is nice maybe I won't spend another 13 years terrified of getting something wrong with my teeth!
Edie..you can does this :) As you know I had to get a tooth out last week. Luckily I found a very good dentist who specialises in anxiety control. He was so patient with me. You could be able to ask to have the fillings done under sedation too. Well done for deciding to go :). My dentist said I was the most nervous patient he has ever seen so if I can do it I am sure you can. x
I'm still really scared, but somehow it seems manageable now. Having decided to go to the dentist, one of my holey teeth has been quite sensitive today. It does go through periods of being more sensitive, so I don't think it's anything to worry about. But still, I should get it dealt with while I feel able to, because every time this happens I get scared I'm going to have to go to the dentist.
Hopefully I won't scream and punch the dentist :roflmao:
I've got an appointment for Wednesday 12th June, with extra time. They could have done sooner but I'm not available. Hopefully this won't give me time to chicken out!
Their price list says £35-95 for a filling which sounds OK. This is as a private patient, in Surrey. Hopefully mine will be simple for the sake of my wallet and my nerves!
I am sure it will go fine for you Edie :) x
I've always been scared of dentist and unfortunately I neglected my teeth badly :( Year ago I decided to make an appointment. Trust me, dentistry have made a big progress lately :) I had a few fillings, two extractions, one root canal and it was all completely painless. Yes, the "tools of destruction" may look scary but that's all. Sometimes you can feel some discomfort, bad smell, unpleasant noises but pain? Not at all. I've been drilled with a really big drill to enter the center of the tooth and it didn't hurt at all. I felt only vibrations in my head and this nasty smell, no pain. And trust me, this drill looked really frightening.
Some say that the anesthetic injection hurts a bit. I had a few of those and everything I felt was kind of strange discomfort, but still - no pain. You don't have to be afraid :)
The only thing that may hurt is the bill for the work, unfortunately :(
Edie, well done for making the decision. That is one of the hardest parts. I also believe you can do it,,,, and I am really pleased up that you have this new belief.
Thank you for the encouragement. I just hope my check up goes OK and doesn't freak me out so much I can't go through with the work that needs doing! I keep telling myself that rationally, I know it will be fine, thousands of people have fillings every day and are fine. But you know how it is with rational thoughts, they are quieter than the other ones. At least there are rational thoughts at all though!
I always wonder what makes a person want to become a dentist. I mean, it's a common phobia, and even people who don't have phobias do not like the dentist. Who wants to put their fingers in other people's mouths?
Funny you say who would want to be a dentist, or a dental nurse for that matter..... I have to agree with you on that one!!!
You are right about the rational voices being quieter, but in time what you can achieve is making them louder, as you begin to accomplish things. Often the fear is worse than doing what ever it is, or bearing it while it lasts - that's another way of thinking about it.
When I have dental treatment, it's like I put myself into a "zone". In the waiting room its like I almost shutdown my mind to the point where I'm thinking about very little at all. Like I am breathing gently but other than perhaps being aware of people's voices, phonecalls bla bla bla that's it. Nothing else.
When I'm in the chair, I tend to fix my eyes on one point on the ceiling. That's my focus apart from talking to the dentist if I need to. Other people, including my partner, prefer to close their eyes. If you do that then the dentist might ask you to put your hand up if he wants you to stop. It's all about communication. Mine is very communicative & I appreciate that. He doesnt do anything without telling me first.
Providing you tell him how it feels I am sure he will be accommodating & will put you at ease. He can tell you as much (or as little) about what's going on as you want. You can still be in control. And remember it doesnt take that long. The lead up to it seems to be forever but really, if you focus your mind & dont obsess in the meantime, I feel it is entirely possible for you. I get the feeling you know this too but of course arent keen on it, which I am sure everyone would feel like.
My appointment is on Wednesday. Starting to freak out now. I'm working Wednesday morning before my appointment so shouldn't be able to think about it too much. Either that or I will burst into tears at work!
I just hope she will pause if I ask her to. Not being in control would just make it impossible to ever go again.
Edie I hope it goes well for you, Just explain that you are very nervous. I will be thinking about you. :hugs::hugs:
I've been at Thorpe Park today and haven't given this a second thought. One of my friends kept having near panic attacks in the queues for all the rides, but kept going on them. Got me a bit worked up but I managed to keep a lid on it.
Now I am home I am thinking about the dentist and really shaky and pounding heart. My boss has already let me know there is little work to do tomorrow, so not much to keep my mind off things before my appointment. I hope I can keep myself busy and not cry!
I am pleased you were able to enjoy Thorpe Park. My daughter was there on Saturday :) Hugs for tomorrow :hugs::hugs::hugs:
Most check ups are so quick, you spend longer in the waiting room than in the chair.
I hated Thorpe park. I wouldn't go on the rides. I really don't know why I went. It was years ago and I was trying to fit in with a group of friends, at one point they all laughed at me so much I cried. This was humiliating so I pretended to be crying with laughter, I don't know if they bought it, but I learned a lesson, that it was a waste of time trying to fit in with people who aren't interested in your well being, kick 'em into touch and instead focus on friends who treat you with respect. Needless to say I don't have contact with any of them!!
Anyway, Edie, you'll have all of us with you, looking after you. Just think of all your lovely NMP online friends when you are stressed, we'll hug you and look after you.
I ised to love rides. For my 21st I took 2 weeks off work and went to Chessington, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, Blackpool and Stockport. I did go on some scary ones today but not the really scary ones. My friends didn't mind one bit, especially as I was watching all their bags. They are my uni friends and they are young and fearless and I am 31, which they see as terribly old. I reckon they were impressed I went on any at all at my stage of life!
I will try to imagine you lot hugging me tomorrow. I think it will help :)
I survived the dentist and even better, it turns out I do not need fillings after all!
Thank you so much for all the encouragement, it's really helped today!
The 'hole' is a natural crevice which has become stained, and although it's a potential site for decay it's actually OK at the moment. And the other side that is chipped is also fine for now, but also something to watch.
She said my teeth look very good and I obviously don't eat much sugar. I admitted that I actually do, and she said it will cause problems down the line but have been lucky so far.
I had an xray and it all looks good.
She said that medically speaking I should go every 6 months, but that once a year would be OK, and would also help build my confidence, instead of only going every 12 years and potentially needing loads of fillings at once. I think she has a point and I'm really going to try and go annually from now on.
Total cost was £75, with the xrays which I would not need every time, so I think that was OK too.
All in all, a big relief, and hopefully I can go regularly and cope OK when I do need fillings. But I'm 31 with no fillings so far so I've been pretty lucky up to now and have to accept it might not always be that way.
psychadelic-brie
13-06-13, 18:03
Well done for making such a decision. I need to go to the dentist for similar reasons as you, but still feel unable to pick up the phone and get round to going due to nerves. I admire you for making such a strong decision. I'm glad it went well for you!
(Edited due to not being on the last page to read all the posts, doh!!!!)
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