• Dental Phobia Support

    Welcome! This is an online support group for anyone who is has a severe fear of the dentist or dental treatment. Please note that this is NOT a general dental problems or health anxiety forum! You can find a list of them here.

    Register now to access all the features of the forum.

1st appointment in 9 years!!!

I

irrational

Junior member
Joined
Jul 16, 2007
Messages
11
Hi everyone

Am attending my first dental appointment in about 9 years tomorrow morning and am getting really really scared. It has taken two years and a lot of pain to pluck up the courage to make an appointment, but am beginning to wish I hadn't been so rash! Am terrified of what the dentist is going to say about my horrible teeth - sometimes I wish I didn't have any teeth - but I really don't think I would be happy if that was the case. Have managed to convince myself that all of my teeth are about to fall out, but am probably being a little dramatic (at least I'm hoping I am!!!) Have broken a tooth a long time ago which needs fixing and another tooth has a filling that has partially come out and it is really starting to hurt as food keeps getting stuck in there (if only I could stop eating - unlikely though!!!)

Well wish me luck everyone. I will let you know how I get on when the dreaded deed has been done. :scared:
 
If the dentist DOES say something horrible then he/she isn't the one for you. I hadn't been in almost 15 years and my dentist was completely understanding and not reproachful in the least. Good luck! :jump:
 
Thanks I will keep that in mind - just over 2 hours to go until the dreaded appointment - don't want to go but am looking forward to getting it over with!
 
Wishing you the best of luck today. Let us know how you make out.
 
You're probably there as I write this. I hope all went well! :XXLhug:
 
Thanks everyone - I have made it through the first appointment and am not sure if I feel better or worse. The prognosis wasn't too good really - have been referred to a periodontist as apparently I have quite a bit of bone loss around some of my teeth and am starting to freak out over this!!! Dentist said that periodontal gum disease couldn't be cured but can be managed - which kinda freaked me out even more!!! I had a deep filling done there and then as well, as it was causing me a bit of bother - he said he didn't really have time as it was quite a large one but I said I would prefer if he did as it was quite painful - so am glad to have that over and done with - but he reckons that it will cause a bit of pain over the next few days as it was such a deep one - help. He was a very nice man but not really sure that he understood or appreciated my anxiety but was very patient and kept stopping and asking me if I was in any pain and if he could carry on - so that was good. Felt about 6 years old when it was over and wished my mum was there to hold my hand (I'm 37 years old for god's sake!!) Am now really worried about the visit to the periodontist - dentist said I may only need one or two visits but don't know if that's a good or bad thing. Once I have seen the periodontist have to go back and get a couple more deep fillings done and have a broken tooth fixed but he didn't go into detail just said I would have to see the periodontist first before everything else could get sorted out. Am terrified of making the appointment now - not sure if I want to find out how bad things really are. Anyway must go. numbness from injection is starting to wear off - think I will go and make myself a cup of calming tea and hope that I can manage to get my head around this - thanks for your support everyone I sooooo appreciate it.
 
Way to go!!!   :jump:  :jump:  You even managed to get a filling in your first appointment...that's impressive!!  :)  I didn't even want to open my mouth  :censored: during mine!!  (I did but like you I would rather have had my Mom there holding my hand during it all....and I was 39!  :p)

I know it's easy to say, but try not to worry too much about the gums until you find out exactly what they have in mind.  I also had a few gum issues as it had been 17 long years without going.  I did brush and floss so luckily I kept things from being too bad.  Things were cleaned up with a deep cleaning, I was told to use a water irrigator to help flush out the pockets, had antiobotics placed in some of the deeper pockets (not painful at all, promise!!) and went for 3 month cleanings instead of 6.  After 2 recent cleanings I've been "promoted" to 4 month cleanings becasue everything looks good.  There are a lot of different ways to clear up gum issues and as the dentist said, manage them.  Some of my pockets are still there but by being extra diligent in my cleaning routine and keeping up with my follow up appts. everything is fine.  I'm sure that going to a specialist will provide you with the best care possible.  

You've already made a huge first step and I hope you'll find that the periodontist visit goes smoothly as well!

:cheers:
Pam
 
Thanks Pam - that makes me feel a lot better. :)
 
Hi again guys - it feels so good to have this support as I don't think anyone really understands how we dental phobics feel (mind you I'm afraid of doctors as well - I just hate being prodded and poked by these people, it's such an invasion of my personal space and I really wish I didn't have to go through with it - no matter what it's for!) Knew I had to make my appointment with the periodontist but was absolutely dreading it - I wanted to run away and hide :hidesbehindsofa: and forget all about it (couldn't because I have become obsessed not only with my own teeth but everyone else's on the planet!!! it's kind of taking over my every thought). Anyway my lovely caring husband obviously knew that I was going into denial mode (he knows me so well!) so he rang me about an hour ago from his work and told me that he had done it for me, :o and I now have an appointment for Thursday 26th July at 10:45am (I'm in New Zealand if anyone's wondering). I feel a bit more settled knowing that there is a date approaching but am really really worried about what the periodontist is going to say - I really don't want to lose all my teeth and wish that I had gone to the dentist years ago and this would have been avoided - I feel really really stupid and disappointed in myself. :redface:

Anyway hindsight is a wonderful thing and I just have to carry on and hope for the best outcome. Will let you know how I get on - thanks again everyone you're the best and if anyone is trying to pluck up the courage to go - do it!!!! - the thinking and agonising I have done over going to the dentist in the last 8-9 years was nowhere near as bad as the actual appointment - the people were actually quite nice and I even had a filling done!!!! The discomfort I felt afterwards when the numbness wore off was only one tenth of the pain I had been enduring for the past year with the bloody toothache! If only I could have rationalised that in my mind sooner.

Later

Nicola
 
Hi Nicola,

I think it's wonderful that your husband was so sweet to take care of things for you and although you are a bit nervous that is one last thing you have to fret about.  A couple of times during my treatment I had questions but was not able to talk to the dentist/staff for fear I'd start crying so my husband would take my little list in and then he'd be the one to answer everything for me later.  That kind of support goes a long way....we are lucky gals!  ;)

Try not to feel bad about yourself, the important thing is that you are going now.  You are facing your fear and, as we say in the US, taking the bull by the horns!  :p  You should be very proud of yourself for having the courage to do something that you were at one time unable to do.   :jump:  Often we fear the worst, after 17 years I was convinced that I was going to have to have all my teeth pulled!!!  Turns out I needed tons and tons (even my fillings needed fillings!! :p) of work but didn't need a single extraction.  I was stunned and immediately started crying when the dentist told me.  The truth is, I was prepared to lose many/most of my teeth and if that had happened, while difficult, I still would have gotten a nice, healthy smile in the end.  

I hope that your periodontal appointment goes well.  I'll be sure to spend positive thoughts your way next week!

You've already made a great start and you can do this!!!
:grouphug:
Pam
 
My god, this last week has been like a roller coaster ride awaiting my periodontist appointment. I've gone from thinking that I'm going to lose all of my teeth to thinking maybe just one or two and then thinking maybe I'll just need a damn good cleaning. I think being referred to a specialist really panicked me and was dumbstruck by that, therefore didn't ask any questions (could kick myself for that now) keep thinking it must be so bad that the dentist couldn't even deal with it!!!!! Things keep going around and around in my head and it all feels a bit surreal now am seesawing between blind panic and total calm - very weird. I do remember the dentist saying I may only need one or two appointments with the periodontist but then think I must have imagined that bit (but maybe you only need one or two visits to get all of your teeth extracted!!!) aaggghhh - I am going insane - am dreading the appointment but am also looking forward to finding out what needs done and then come to terms with that, whatever it may be.

Anyway thanks for the chance to "vent". (I really don't know what I would do if I hadn"t found you all) Will let you all know the outcome as soon as I get back - thanks. :scared:
 
I imagine that the one or two appointments is so that you can have some deep cleanings. I hope everything goes well for you on the 26th!
 
Hi there!

I wouldn't worry too much about why the dentist referred you to the periodontist.  As I mentioned before I had some gum issues as well but his hygienist was also specially trained in non-surgical periodontal therapy so I was able to get the care I needed from her.  Your dentist may not do those kinds of procedures in his office, hence the referral.  Look at it as an opportunity to go to someone who probably knows the best way to get your gums in tip-top shape!!   ;)  

Will be sending good thoughts your way for your upcoming appointment.  I'm sure everything will be just fine.

Pam
 
Thanks so much everyone for all your support and encouragement - I really really appreciate it - you are all absolute legends!!! :thumbsup:
 
Hi irrational,
Congratulations on getting so far so quickly :jump: :party: :jump:.
We don't often get posters from Australia and New Zealand and always wondered if maybe dentists over there are generally better at being friendly, calming and painless than in say the US or the Netherlands. Yours sounds like he was pretty good.

I'm sure the periodontist will be even more used to dealing with nervous patients so try not to worry too much...why not take your helpful hubby along for moral support?. Way to go... :grouphug:.
 
just wanted to add my good thoughts and wish you well tomorrow, let us know how it goes :XXLhug:
 
;D Hi guys back from my appointment with the loveliest man you would ever want to meet. He totally put me at ease from the start, and I felt so safe in his hands - sometimes you just know that some people will do their absolute best for you and you can totally trust them - well he was one of them!!. Good news is that I am not going to lose any of my teeth :jump:- he laughed when I said that I thought I needed full dentures and said that I was nowhere near that stage. Am going to go in over the next couple of weeks for deep cleanings - 1hr on one side and 1hr on the other side - I am so relieved and happy and have no qualms about going back as I feel that I am totally in the right hands. He was really funny and explained that the worst of the treatment was going to be the anaesthetic (which didn't worry me at all - cos I have never felt anything from the needle going in - the anticipation part is the most painful) and that water was going to be sprayed everywhere. I joked that maybe I shouldn't wear any makeup on those days and he said I should come in a pair of gumboots and a raincoat, which I thought was pretty funny. So all of the worrying I have been doing over the last week has really been for nothing and I feel totally stupid. Was so happy with the outcome that I bought the kids some Playstation games and bought myself some sparkling wine to celebrate :cheers: - yay I get to keep my own teeth!!! :jump: - I am definitely going to look after them from now on. I still have to go back to have another couple of fillings done at my own dentist (wish I could have everything done at the periodontist - he was definitely my favourite) but all in all it has not been anywhere near as bad as I had made it in my head. If you are like me and contemplating going to the dentist - just do it - it really isn't the horror house you make it out to be - I feel so daft that I left it this long. I was really nervous all day beforehand, but as soon as I got into the periodontist's office - I felt a real sense of calm - and became more concerned with the fact that I had a "bat in the cave" than what was actually going to transpire during the appointment. The periodontist went around my mouth with a little probe (didn't hurt at all - have hurt myself more trying to floss) and started calling out numbers with regards to the depths of the pockets - most of them were 2's but some went right up to the 6's so am so glad that I have caught it before it got too bad - phew what a relief - I think that I will sleep like a baby tonight (the wine will really help with that too - lol) He said that once I have the cleanings I will notice an immediate improvement - that made me feel really good and I am so happy that I was referred to such a great specialist - it could have totally gone in the opposite direction - I feel that the gods were definitely smiling down on me today and am so grateful. Anyway thanks everyone and am really glad that I have such a happy outcome to post - keep up the good work everyone :grouphug:
 
Glad to hear it went so well.... :party: :jump: :party:.....feel free to share your periodontist's details on the dentistfinder once you've successfully finished your treatment.
Congratulations once again..... :grouphug:
 
:jump: Well done :jump:
Sounds like my story - went expecting to have all of my teeth removed and just need the same as you - deep cleanings. :cheers:
 
Hi all you lovely people - it's me again - had my first appointment at the periodontist yesterday - one whole hour of root planing - aaaagggghhhh! Nah, it wasn't that bad but I'm getting anxious about next week's appointment now - I don't want to go!! I wish he could have done the lot in one day and that I could have it over and done with - I think all the anxiety I put myself through leading up to an appointment is actually worse than the appointment itself!! I just wish this whole thing was finished, but I suppose I feel a bit proud of myself that I've managed to get this far, I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and get to the other end!! It'll be nice not to have to worry constantly about the state of my teeth everytime I see an advert for toothpaste or drive by a dental surgery (I usually have severe palpitations when anyone mentions the word teeth or dentist) well hopefully not for much longer eh! :)

Well just thought I would check in and let you all know that I am still alive and starting to come out the other side - hope all is well with you guys and keep up the great work everyone - big hugs to everyone who is approaching a dental appointment or plucking up the courage to make one :grouphug:
 
Back
Top