Fear of the dentist.... help

[Scarlett30]

Over the past few years I’ve developed a real fear of the dentist. It’s stems from a few bad experiences with not nice dentists. One of which didn’t listen that I wasn’t numb yet and persisted to drill

Anyway I was doing ok but the the past 2 years I’ve put it off and off and now the time has come where I have to go and I am PETRIFIED.

I’m terrified of what they will think, my teeth don’t look bad but I know I will need work. It’s something I think about with worry most days.

The thought of sitting in the dentist chair makes me feel physically sick.

If anyone has any tips or advice please share

 

[Hairraiser]

Use rescue remedy spray to calm your nerves before you go in. Also, I used to work as a dental nurse until recently and I can recommend calling the dental practice up and making them aware of your distress regarding dental work/dentist, it will go into your notes and the dentist will be made aware too. They will be accommodating and be more cautious!
I’ve seen many of people come in so nervous they’ve passed out, so it’s not uncommon for them to see it, so don’t be ashamed! Maybe take a friend or relative in with you for reassurance?
As for your teeth, they have seen it ALL, they want to help you keep your teeth as long as possible in your lifetime so they may be forward with the comments about them, but it’s for a very good reason!
I remember once a gentleman had stumps for teeth, he never cleaned his teeth, ate far too much sugar and smoked profusely from a young age. He had to have them all ripped out and have dentures. He was only 45!
However, the whole time, the dentist I worked with was lovely about it, he wasn’t judgemental at any time, he was very professional!
I hope for your sake that you have a nice dentist for your visit cause it is a horrible experience for some people and you want it to be as comfortable as possible because looking after your teeth is so important!
Fingers crossed everything will be ok for you

 

[Ellsbells123]

I recently took my 12 year olds for the first time in years because she was the same. Couldn’t get to the door without a melt down. We found a new dentist, and did as the poster above said. I spoke with the dentist and explained the situation and I know I needed her checked, but couldn’t get her anywhere near the building. They were lovely, the nurse met with her a few days before and showed her where she would be and what the equipment was for. The day of her appointment, I was told to get there exactky on time so she wasn’t sat around waiting. They were lovely, so it is just a case of being honest and telling them how you feel. Good luck!

 

[PartOfMe]

I didn't go to the dentist for over 10 years.

Then finally researched a private one that was ment to be great although probably the most expensive in the city.

She was horrified at my teeth, lots of "wow! There's alot going on here", "no this isn't a red it's off the chart!".

2 grand later and many appointments I've had lots filled in and two crowns fitted. But one filling came out a few months later and she's made me more anxious about my teeth to the point I'm grinding and fracturing them in my sleep and sometimes in the day. The bite has been altered and that's taken months to feel normal again and I'm in constant fear that more teeth and fillings will come out.

But you've just been two years so I'm sure it's fine.

Lots talk about swishing urine as a great fix for dental issues to heal decay and fill in holes with stem cells but tattle didna think so

Urine therapy

Anybody tried it or beleive in it? So many different cultures think there's something in it but I just can't get my (probably narrow) mind over the idea of it!

tattle.life

 

[Cloudninex]

I was scrolling through tattle and noticed this thread just thought I’d post I didn’t go to the dentist for 10 years because I had a bad experience and a really bad foreign dentist who didnt speak much English, anyways my teeth got bad and I got toothache bad finally got into the dentist my kids are in and everyone seems really nice in there and found it more comforting having a woman work on my teeth I sat in the chair shaking and sweating buckets and I had no idea she numbed my mouth with 2 injections I thought she was just rubbing my gum .. it was amazing I then got 4 teeth out at the hospital 2 month ago sedated but awake.. I was shitting myself I rebooked it 3 times .. eventually went and sat in the chair got a Cannula which surprisingly also didn’t hurt, then they put the sedation in and I forgot about everything I closed my eyes and felt like I was asleep but apparantly I was just laying there didn’t hear any ‘crunching’ or pulling absolutely nothing g .. went home expected it to wear of and get a huge pain I’m 8 weeks In and had stitches and still haven’t felt any pain! The reason I wrote all this is the best thing I ever did was push myself to go now my teeth are healthy and Iv found a dentist I trust my anxiety’s pretty much faded now, I brought my mum with me to everything and it helped a lot! & I must say this is a nhs dentist x oh & I also feel super proud of myself! Doing this one little thing (seems huge to me) has meant I feel like I can do anything I know that sounds clichè!

 

[AmberSpyglass]

I was put off by the cost and the longer I left it the more embarrassed I became, it’s so important to get over your fear, I implore you.

Anyway to cut a long story short , by ignoring my dodgy tooth problem, I got a tooth abscess that spread into my gum and bone , my face looked so swollen and horrendous, I lost the tooth and it cost my a fortune to fix.

Good luck .

 

[emmer_moans]

I feel you. I hadn't been a few years and now I have a hole in my tooth (a boiled sweet snapped a bit off a molar, booooo) so I booked in with dentist for consultation, and have to go back for a filling next week. I had teeth out, braces and fillings as a kid and it scarred me for life! If it wasn't for the fact one of my colleague's tooth fell out the other week I would have probably put it off. Luckily the filling is only going to cost 120 quid. Could have been more if I left it longer.
I don't really have any advice other than try to see that you will save yourself further pain and fortune later on, by going now! X

 

[Justjonie]

I was put off by the cost and the longer I left it the more embarrassed I became, it’s so important to get over your fear, I implore you.

Anyway to cut a long story short , by ignoring my dodgy tooth problem, I got a tooth abscess that spread into my gum and bone , my face looked so swollen and horrendous, I lost the tooth and it cost my a fortune to fix.

Good luck .

This is me! I haven't been for about 15 years. I have the fear both of what would need done (although I'm not in any pain or have any main issues with my teeth at the moment) and the cost of what would need done. When I end up with discomfort I'll bear the brunt and the cost at that stage, but I'll be damned if I'm handing a dentist hundreds of pounds before then!

 

[Scarlett30]

THANKYOU SO MUCH to everyone who has commented. You have really put my mind at ease. It’s taken days to pluck up the courage but I’ve tracked down a dentist who’s apparently great with nervous patients. On Monday morning I’m registering and booking an appointment

I’m so so nervous but I feel ready to take this first step

 

[bubbletea123]

This is me! I haven't been for about 15 years. I have the fear both of what would need done (although I'm not in any pain or have any main issues with my teeth at the moment) and the cost of what would need done. When I end up with discomfort I'll bear the brunt and the cost at that stage, but I'll be damned if I'm handing a dentist hundreds of pounds before then!

Gosh. Feel so lucky in Canada to have extended health coverage for the dentist. Without it, it would cost like three grand just for a couple of check ups.

I went for the first time this year in forever. I was nervous but the dentist was lovely. I had to have some fillings and the first experience wasn't great as I felt claustrophobic. When I went back for the second set of fillings, I told him and we didn't use the mouth guard for one set of them which made it better. The nurse that cleaned my teeth was loveley too and explained it all. I had two cleanings this year. Just from the first cleaning to the second, my gum inflammation had gone down a lot. I also got a cheap oral b electric toothbrush and that made a difference. I'm back in January for a cleaning again. Was hoping to do it earlier but my insurance was maxxed.

 

[CCS]

I am exactly the same, didn't go for 4 years after a bad filling ( and lots of childhood visits - braces, teeth out etc) but had to face it when my daughter got a gum abscess, it was the hardest thing I have ever done and people just do not understand which makes it harder
I got so bad I'm ashamed to admit I couldn't take my daughters and I couldn't even watch a toothpaste advert and the peppa pig goes to the dentist book had to go in the bin as I just couldn't cope . Once I started going I needed a filling which was not nearly as bad as I thought and even though it is still so difficult even a check up is very stressful but so glad I started. I would say :
1) Find a dentist that is good with nervous patient- research, ask people it makes sooo much difference
2) Accept you are not going to be completely ok with it or enjoy it
3) When in chair find something in room to concentrate on a clock, mark on wall and keep focussing on it
4) every step you take, the phone call to make appointment , the journey there, the steps into the waiting room appauld yourself you are facing your fear, you are brave and strong
Good luck xx

 

[Prodcon21]

THANKYOU SO MUCH to everyone who has commented. You have really put my mind at ease. It’s taken days to pluck up the courage but I’ve tracked down a dentist who’s apparently great with nervous patients. On Monday morning I’m registering and booking an appointment

I’m so so nervous but I feel ready to take this first step

So proud of you!!

I didn’t go for 15 years. My teeth were a mess. Then my boyfriend (now husband!) proposed, and I couldn’t imagine spending a whole day hiding my teeth like I would at any other occasion photos were being taken.

I researched and researched, and found an amazing dentist who specialises I’m nervous patients. He was - amazing.

On my last appointment I ASKED for a scale and polish. He nearly cried with pride, and said he couldn’t believe a year after being that petrified that I couldn’t even walk through the door - that I’d be requesting treatment. And then told me I didn’t actually need one haha!

Good luck. Keep us updated. Xx