Decayed and crumbling teeth

[Hakuren]

Well.. I just can't get myself to call.
I couldn't sleep all night and my cheek / jaw and throat feel like they're burning.. kinda tingly..
Not sleeping doesn't make it any better.. but everytime I almost drifted off to sleep some wave of fear and panic washed over me and made me feel like my whole presence consists of ants.
I'm getting really tired of this whole thing and the worst part is probably, that I just can't talk about it to anyone around me. That perhaps would help a lot.

[ScaredMama]

I understand how you feel. I'm 31 and can't bring myself just to get a consultation. I have 4 missing teeth due to crumbling, 3 broken teeth, and 3 cavities that I can see. And who knows what else!!! I'm also not scared of pain. I'm scared Im going to panic in the chair and I don't like to be messed with, the thought of sitting there while someone fiddles in my mouth for an hour makes me feel anxious! I'm very depressed over my teeth. There has to be a reason for all these teeth problems! Anyways, I just wanted to let you know you are not alone!!!

[FraidyCat]

Oh man, I can completely relate with this story! I was in a similar state several weeks ago, having stayed away from dentists for decades. It had come to the point where my shame and fear of judgment was worse than the physical pain; anyone who has experienced the pain of a crumbling tooth knows what real pain is! I understand the thoughts of suicide too--something that would probably bewilder anyone who doesn't have this phobia.

I've since had three visits to a very compassionate dentists. He and his entire staff are completely understanding. They've seen it all before and haven't displayed the slightest hint of judgment in their dealing with me. I've been completely open with them about the nature of my fears, and they're completely experienced with the fear as well as the physical aspect of my problem.

Since my prior dentist visits years before, the profession has undergone two revolutions: the advancement of the tools and of "painless" (or at least less-painful) dentistry; and the understanding that it's not in a dentist's interest, as a professional business man, to judge patients or make them suffer in any other way.

Yesterday I had the first of my four "quadrants" cleaned, and I felt light as air leaving the dentists office. I had made a start! During the afternoon I was running my tongue along my newly smoothed teeth and marveling at the sensation. (Several molars are beyond saving, but many are salvageable.) I have taken those first few difficult steps and can see that there is hope.

If I can do it, anyone can!

[FraidyCat]

Oh, I must make another comment, this one about being too afraid to make that first phone call.

That was me too! I was terrified of making the call--actually would sweat and shake at the thought.

So what I did was search on the Internet for "painless dentistry" and my town's name, and I came up with a conveniently located practice that really accentuates compassion on its Web site.

Instead of calling, I sent e-mail. I stated up-front that I was terrified of dentists, that I was trembling as I wrote, and could they please help me?

A response came later that morning, full of reassurances that they weren't there to judge me and urging me to call and make an appointment.

That was a couple of weeks ago, and as I noted above, I've since had three visits.

It's gotten a little easier--the first time I showed up, I was shaking so badly I could barely fill out this form they handed to me. Yesterday, I'll admit, I was scared. I was trembling and moaning for a freaking cleaning, but the hygienist was very understanding and took several breaks. In fact, she began the session by talking for a few minutes about her fear of medical doctors!

It's one baby step at a time. Look at the initial contact as the first little step. I'd be willing to bet that the rude, heartless dentists are in the minority. Being that way is bad for business.