Now I dread the dentist

[Purple Fish]

About two years ago I started getting pain in one of my back teeth at the bottom, went to the dentist (they never bothered me then) and I had to have the old filling taken out and a new one put in.

It didn't feel any better so I went back and the dentist cleaned up the new filling and polished it, which I thought was weird, but he's been our family dentist for years and never had any problems before.

It still wasn't right and one evening when I was drying my daughter's hair I had a sharp pain in the tooth which really scared me as I'd never felt anything like it. I daren't move after that! I wouldn't eat or drink, so I made an appointment first thing in the morning, not being able to sleep that night through fear of that pain again!!

When I got in the dentist's chair he had a look and said I'd got a nasty infection, so numbed it up and began drilling. Then I got the shooting pain again! I jumped, made the dentist jump and so he had to inject it again because the infection had stopped the anaesthetic working! He then took the nerve out, Great!

I shook for the rest of the treatment and kept my arms crossed on my chest like I was bracing for impact, I was so relieved when it was over that I cried as I drived home! I had to go back so he could x-ray it to make sure the infection was all cleared up but he suggested I either had a root canal or an extraction. He recommended I had the extraction at the hospital as he thought it would be too stressful and I could choose to have it out under general, which is what I did - bliss!!

Thing is I have a large filling in another tooth on the other side and it's a bit achy. There's no way I want to go back to him through the fear of what I went through so I've been gettting recommendations from my family for another dentist. What do you think? At least I can explain what I went through and how scared I am!

[blueangel]

It sounds like it might be an idea to go to another dentist. Ask around friends and family for who they'd recommend, and make sure that you tell the new dentist about the problems you had last time. I used to have huge problems with the dentist but now go to someone who's really good, so I can sympathise with this.

[Purple Fish]

Hey, thank you for your reply. I have made an appointment with another dentist who I've heard good things about and it's for the 9th August. :scared15:

[terror-x]

things like this scare and worrie me about going to the dentist specially after watching the movie the dentist

[Geoff2301]

I'd definitely go for a root canal rather than an extraction....... with a dentist who has all the right experience for back teeth root canals which are quite specialised. Unfortunately, i had to pay for mine privately....... £700!!........... but I reckon its worth it to keep your own teeth!

[Purple Fish]

Sounds scary though, they have to drill so far! As long as I'm guaranteed not to feel a thing, i.e. knock me out!! I think I'd be ok if I could have a glass of wine beforehand!

[Geoff2301]

from what I understand, if you need a root canal done, the nerve itself is already dead........ the dentist was able to drill into my tooth without any anaesthetic at all and I felt virtually nothing! You're right....... they do have to drill a long way and on the back teeth, they have to do 3 or 4 holes!!

[Purple Fish]

Oooh er, I hope I don't have to have one of those! I honestly think I'd rather have it out then it can't give me anymore hassle!

There's more filling than tooth in it anyway!

[blueangel]

I'm with Geoff on this one - I'd rather keep my tooth! I've had a couple of root canals done, and I can honestly say I didn't feel anything other than the injection, which was a great relief.

[Geoff2301]

Oooh er, I hope I don't have to have one of those! I honestly think I'd rather have it out then it can't give me anymore hassle!

There's more filling than tooth in it anyway!
once you've had the root canal work done, you won't get any more hassle anyway!! Do you reallly want the hassle of having a denture?....... my worst nightmare!!

[Purple Fish]

I wouldn't have to have a denture as its at the back so won't be seen. I have a gap at the back on the other side so it's no problem.

Let's wait and see anyway you never know. I'm worried enough about going in the first place let alone any treatment I may have to encounter.

[rocklover]

I have developed a fear of the dentist since my panic and anxiety came back due to postnatal depression. I am in the middle of root canal treatment, but I cannot have it finished at the moment due to my high anxiety levels.

Trouble is I am getting pains in my teeth on the other side and I am terrified there is a huge problem (even though an x-ray gave the all clear a month or so ago). I'm desperate for this panic to calm down so that I can get these problems sorted.

Seeing a new dentist is a good idea if you are not happy with your current practitioner.

[Purple Fish]

Bless ya! Do you floss? I do twice a day, sometimes that can calm teeth down when tiny particles get stuck, plus it cuts the risk of infections.

In a way I am looking forward to seeing another dentist, I feel I'll be starting from scratch and can explain my concerns. I don't think you should feel pain once you're in that dentist chair not in this day and age! I just guess I lost trust in my other one.

Good luck with your root canal, how far did you get?

[rocklover]

Yes I floss, brush and mouthwash twice a day, sometimes clean my teeth 3 times a day (if I remember :blush:).

I think the anxiety is making it worse and drawing my attention to it.

Good luck with your new dentist.

[Purple Fish]

Thank you, anxiety can definately draw attention to things! You've just got to remember it's the anxiety! That's what I'll try to do. As we know as soon as you get distracted with something else sometimes the thing you was concerned about disappears!

[blueangel]

A good dentist can make a huge difference - the guy I see these days is brilliant, and I've stayed on his list even when I moved 50 miles away. He's also NHS which is getting harder to find these days.

[Purple Fish]

That's really good! The one I will be going to isn't NHS but as long as he doesn't hurt me I'll be fine as that's my biggest fear.

[Purple Fish]

So I've been now twice!! First visit was just a look, chat and some x-rays to keep on file and the second was to replace a temporary filling I had.

All good. injections weren't too bad he definately gave me a lot of numbing as it took hours to wear off! Going back tues to see about being fitted for braces!!

So proud of myself!

[swgrl09]

That's great! I'm terrified of the dentist, and have made an appointment with a new one in a couple weeks. I don't know too much about him, but I moved and it seemed like he had good reviews ... I know I have a few cavities, I can feel them when I eat something sweet. I just had a bad experience with the last one, so I know what you mean. I haven't been in years and am nervous!!! But will be glad to get it over with.

[Purple Fish]

You know what? You'll be fine! I was and I was really worried. Let me know how you get on.

xx

[Purple Fish]

Another dentist appointment today. Having a removable brace now so I haven't got to have any of my healthy teeth out, yippee! Next appointment on the 30th Sep. Will keep you posted.

[Carrera74]

I woke up with toothache yesterday and have got an appointment for Friday. Hope I'm as brave as you :) My dentist is a lovely lady but I'm still scared. I haven't been for 3 years and I told myself I would go regular so would catch any problems early but I've put it off and think I've got an abscess under my crown. It's soooo painful :'(

[clair..]

im suffering from the same even sounds like the same tooth i donk know if i have an infection in the tooth with the hole in it but im to scared to go to the dentist as the last 3 times i have been i have fainted and threw up i think i am alergic to the antithetic i get the needle which is fine then i pass out and have to go home with out the problem being fixed did you suffer from pains in your ears and a sore throat which felt like you has a lump in it and found it hard to swallow?? think i may have an infection xx

[Purple Fish]

Carrera - You need to tell your dentist what you're afraid off and if she's as nice as you say she will do everything to make you feel at ease.

Clair.. I 'm surprised your dentist hasn't referred you to the hospital to have the tooth out if you're so scared that it makes you ill. I had my tooth out at the day hospital under a general as I was so anxious about going to the dentist. I'm so glad I did as I knew nothing about it and when I woke up it was all done!
You could try ringing an out of hours dentist, that way they will have to sort it out and you will see someone different.

Hope you both get on ok xx

[stuart39]

is it the very same actual person doing the work when you say the dentist has been in the famility for years?

ive been going to the same "surgery" for years but have probably had 2 or 3 different dental surgeons over recent years. my last one used to be pretty harsh with the scale and polish (that might be a good thing!) but my current dentist is light as a feather ! just shows how different two people in the same job can be.

i would try another dentist on recommendation.

[Purple Fish]

Yeah my previous dentist is always the same one that does my treatment but for some reason that day he just didn't use enough anaesthetic. Oh well I'm going to a different one now and so far so good!