Fear of the dentist
Discussion
I am in pain I have really bad tooth ache. I haven't been to the dentist for 14 years as I stupidly have a terrible fear of them and even the thought of going sends me into a mild panic attack! Anyway I have had tooch ache for a couple of days now and I am going to have to do something about it as I can't sleep.
I'm still not sure even if I do book in to one I will make it through the door and was wondering if a bit of 'dutch courage' might help maybe a couple of very large G & T's? Is this a really bad idea? Also is a private dentist likely to be more sympathetic to my fears?
I'm still not sure even if I do book in to one I will make it through the door and was wondering if a bit of 'dutch courage' might help maybe a couple of very large G & T's? Is this a really bad idea? Also is a private dentist likely to be more sympathetic to my fears?
Go to a dentist and pay for an initial consult and mention all of the above. NO Dutch Courage. Tell him that you are a nervous wreck and you will get sympathetically sedated. Just make sure that you get someone else to drive you there!
Remember, you are (probably) going to have to see the Oral Hygienist before the dentist sorts your toothache to get through 14 years of accumulated muck in your mouth.
Its really not bad at all...
Remember, you are (probably) going to have to see the Oral Hygienist before the dentist sorts your toothache to get through 14 years of accumulated muck in your mouth.
Its really not bad at all...
I hate the dentist. Having had the whole teeth out braces malarky and then I smashed my front teeth out....
didn't go for years until about 3 years ago. I needed 10 fillings. The problem is 2 of the teeth cannot be numbed - however many injections I have. Recently I had one pulled out - far more pleasant than a filling without anesthetic.
I hope he pulls the other one out too - that will take my extractions total (iunc wisdom teeth) to 10!! My mouth is still overcrowded on one side!
didn't go for years until about 3 years ago. I needed 10 fillings. The problem is 2 of the teeth cannot be numbed - however many injections I have. Recently I had one pulled out - far more pleasant than a filling without anesthetic.
I hope he pulls the other one out too - that will take my extractions total (iunc wisdom teeth) to 10!! My mouth is still overcrowded on one side!
I too have and fear and went after 8 years of not going. Only had one filling and everything feels much nicer!!
The good news my dentist told me, is if you dont look after you teeth the bacteria can work its way down to your heart and do some interesting damage.
Just go, and keep your eyes shut.
The biggest problem is getting over the shame of not going for so long. Dont worry, you wont get told off as long as you pay the invoice!!!!!
ETA: I went 'NHS' and they saw me the same week I called, the dentest was a very attractive female with little hands and a calming voice. Im looking forward to my next visit!!
The good news my dentist told me, is if you dont look after you teeth the bacteria can work its way down to your heart and do some interesting damage.
Just go, and keep your eyes shut.
The biggest problem is getting over the shame of not going for so long. Dont worry, you wont get told off as long as you pay the invoice!!!!!
ETA: I went 'NHS' and they saw me the same week I called, the dentest was a very attractive female with little hands and a calming voice. Im looking forward to my next visit!!
Edited by DamoLLb on Wednesday 18th February 09:31
I havent been to the dentist for 13 years, im allergic to most types of anesthetic.
I generally have painkillers (and lots of them) for a week or so, then have far too much to drink, and get the pliers out.
I have only pulled 2 out (so far) and had no problems (except for the one that shattered and bled for 3 days, leaving a sharp lump of tooth where there should be a gap).
My advice, get to the dentist, get as many drugs as he/she will allow, and wake up after.
I generally have painkillers (and lots of them) for a week or so, then have far too much to drink, and get the pliers out.
I have only pulled 2 out (so far) and had no problems (except for the one that shattered and bled for 3 days, leaving a sharp lump of tooth where there should be a gap).
My advice, get to the dentist, get as many drugs as he/she will allow, and wake up after.
I was at the dentist last night for a filling. They numb the area with a gel on a cotton bud, let that get going for 5 mins then inject you. Really dont feel it, if it's the sight of needles that gets you then look away.
Mine was done and dusted (or polished) within about half an hour, mouth felt a bit numb for a few hours but no other problems.
Mine was done and dusted (or polished) within about half an hour, mouth felt a bit numb for a few hours but no other problems.
I went last night for the first time in (several) years - not due to fear, just due to the fact that there is nothing wrong with them 
He didn't beleive that I hadn't been for so long, my teeth are perfect I have to go see the Hygenist for a 15 min appointment soon - the standard is 30 mins
Total cost - £16.90
He didn't beleive that I hadn't been for so long, my teeth are perfect
I have to go see the Hygenist for a 15 min appointment soon - the standard is 30 mins Total cost - £16.90
I'm afraid of the Dentist too, comes about from having teeth pulled without anesthetic when I was about five or six.
Anyway a few years ago I went private (having explained my phobia to them), and they were very nice. Unfortunately it was a hot day and they had the window in the treatment room open. As I laid there having had the pain-killing injection (just waiting for it to kick in before having a filling), a wasp flew in and took an interest in me. Now if there's one thing I hate more than Dentists, its wasps.
I was lying there, mouth gaping and all numb trying to attract the dental nurse to the wasp situation, but she seemed to think I was just having a panic about the dental work, so just kept saying supposedly calming things (its ok, you wont feel a thing etc). You try saying "there's a wasp" when your gum has been numbed and your mouth packed with cottonwool
I've never been back since!
Anyway a few years ago I went private (having explained my phobia to them), and they were very nice. Unfortunately it was a hot day and they had the window in the treatment room open. As I laid there having had the pain-killing injection (just waiting for it to kick in before having a filling), a wasp flew in and took an interest in me. Now if there's one thing I hate more than Dentists, its wasps.
I was lying there, mouth gaping and all numb trying to attract the dental nurse to the wasp situation, but she seemed to think I was just having a panic about the dental work, so just kept saying supposedly calming things (its ok, you wont feel a thing etc). You try saying "there's a wasp" when your gum has been numbed and your mouth packed with cottonwool
I've never been back since!
I'm not a massive fan of the dentist but force myself to go every 12 months for a checkup, unfortunatley i have managed to amass a number of ugly fillings which have a tedency of dropping out every now and again! Really wish i had looked after them a bit better when i was younger, ahh well!
Hey!
Being honest, these fears can often arise from a previous bad experience or the feeling of the unknown (whether that be clinical i.e what is going to happen or financial i.e. how much is it going to cost?).
Some good techniques are:
1. Sedation/Sedatives
2. Hypnotherapy
3. A good calm empathic patient dentist
The whole NHS/Private thing is that on the Private, you are buying the dentist's time and care more so as opposed to being an "unit of activity" for the NHS beancounters to computate.
Get your problem sorted, ask around with friends or family for recommendations. Worse case, if you're not too far from Staines, pop over!
Being honest, these fears can often arise from a previous bad experience or the feeling of the unknown (whether that be clinical i.e what is going to happen or financial i.e. how much is it going to cost?).
Some good techniques are:
1. Sedation/Sedatives
2. Hypnotherapy
3. A good calm empathic patient dentist
The whole NHS/Private thing is that on the Private, you are buying the dentist's time and care more so as opposed to being an "unit of activity" for the NHS beancounters to computate.
Get your problem sorted, ask around with friends or family for recommendations. Worse case, if you're not too far from Staines, pop over!
Found this place http://www.thebarndentalclinic.com/treatments/inde... on my door step the seems quite reasonable price wise?
I take it the 'dutch courage' idea was a bad one then?
I take it the 'dutch courage' idea was a bad one then?
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