Dentists (Again)

[jennyjoan]

Why can I not face up to my nervousness re the above. I need a lot of work done to my teeth and last time I was at dentist she mentioned cosmetic work. All I wanted was rid of pain - anyway I have suffered for the last 3 years and I know now there is a (I think) filling missing - tooth very sensitive - different kind of pain.

Over the years I have endured many accidents resulting in 2 broken shoulders, one broken forearm, one broken ankle, rightside bruised ribs and so it goes on. How can I have suffered all that and still have such a fear of dentists. Sorry for prattling on here.

[anneasquith]

conn. a very common phobia, ask you're family friends to recommend a sympathetic dentist, make an appointment to talk to the dentist before any work is started, they MAY suggest sedation prior to treatment. the longer you wait the more problems will occur. good luck.

[sandyRoe]

Dental treatment these days isn't in any way painful. But saying that and believing it could be two very different things.
Do dentists still use 'gas' for nervous patients? If they do then you definitely wouldn't feel anything.
But you do need to go and get your teeth fixed.

[cupid04]

You could ask your dentist for a local anaesthetic. You may have to pay for this privately but well worth it.

[jennyjoan]

Thanks Anne - believe it or not have done what you said. Yes, dentist has offered to knock me out for 3 hours - this was the dentist that Sandy recommended. That day I was nursing a broken shoulder so was in terrible pain - thought that the said dentist became irritable when I couldn't show her my "bite" - that scared me. Also am terrified of after-pain as she said she would be digging into gums for tartar.

[mazie]

I'm just the same Con.. I have a high pain threshold but I'm petrified of the dentist.....I found one that totally understood my fear and met with me before any treatment was done. I felt so much better after the meeting.As it turned out I didn't need anything doing apart from a clean.. Good luck x

[jennyjoan]

Hi Sandy - how has your mouth been after your treatment. I FEEL every one of my teeth are jingle-jangle with sensitivity.

[sandyRoe]

JJ, what few teeth I have left have been filled within an inch of their lives. So I can't see how they'll be causing me any more bother. I have to go back in a fortnight for a check up and that should be it.

[jno]

sandyRoe, fillings are by no means the end of the line, I'm sorry to say.

[Sparkles62]

Conne, I have the same problem, when i left school, i didn't go to the dentist for 9 years as I was terrified,
When I was pregnant the midwife asked me If I was making use of my free dental treatment and I laughed, she told me that she could refer me to the school dentist, as they don't just treat children, they treat pregnant and nursing mothers, and nervous adults aswell.
They are brilliant, never patronising, so patient, even when i have asked to go to the toilet and gone home instead halfway through an appointment!!!
Yes, I know, thats really stupid at my age, but thats what fear does to you.
You just need to ask your Doctor, or a health visitor etc to write you a letter explaining that you are a very nervous patient and would benefit from being treated at the school dentist/clinic.
I can certainly reccomend it, Its amazing how many people go there.

[jno]

I avoided dentists for 10 years too, Sparkles. I probably saved myself some pain, but I got it anyway later in life plus the vast expense of sorting it out.

And as for the fear... I just overcame it. The fact that dentists are a whole lot better these days has helped.

jj, all I can suggest is that you just do it. Avoiding dentistry was a bad mistake for me.

[murraymints]

When I have a new dentist I always introduce myself by saying...if you hurt me ...I'll hurt you....it's a knee jerk reaction to pain in the chair..I've actually slapped one or two !! They take extra care after that I find !

[Obiter]

I was taught that the trick was, as the dentist bent over you you grab him firmly by the testicles and sweetly utter, "Now we're not going to hurt each other, are we?"

[jennyjoan]

good morning - the last time I was at the "bad" dentist - about 4 years ago - he was doing something and it was painful - I put my hand up to stop him but he got his assistant to shove it down again. He said "oh if I had have stopped - it would have been worse for you".

I haven't got over the experience of another dentist - drilling into a wisdom tooth that wasn't even up - so in effect he was drilling into my gum.

I got his hand - uttered a massive expletive - he walked out of the room and came back and apologised. That memory will never leave.

I also make an exhibition of myself as when I get into the chair - I start to shake vehemently. I get embarrassed over that too.

[anneasquith]

conn. you know you need to see a dentist,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,you have had awful experiences , so you expect any dental visit will be the same, would you're gp refer you to a dental surgeon who specialises in patients with phobias ( they do exist ) worth a try ?