T
TerrifiedCS
Junior member
- Joined
- Oct 30, 2018
- Messages
- 2
I wanted to share the start of my journey after 6 years of putting off going. The last time I went was in New Zealand where the dentist recommend extraction of my wisdom teeth out, thank God I couldn't afford it at the time as on a visit back home to UK I was told it wasn't needed which is the last time I went to the dentist. On that occasion I had a couple of fillings and an extremely painful scale and polish.
For reasons I cant quite explain I've put off going for 6 years despite my gums being so red and swollen I no longer smile in photos. I've felt one tooth move a couple of times and it's scared me to death on more than one occasion.
3 weeks ago i realised I wasn't eating on the side of the tooth that felt weird. After extensive research on dentists and what to say to them about being nervous and embarrassed I finally contacted a dentist. They put me in with a dentist who is good for phobias and got me an appointment within a week.
I went last week as an NHS patient. I explained I was terrified and he put me at ease and just looked and asked permission before gently tapping a few teeth he was really gentle didn't really talk too much he was really quick and quiet with the numbers and did very quick x Ray's. He talked me through every tooth on the X-ray. The prognosis is no fillings or root canals (so far) although there is some bone loss it's not extensive aprt from the tooth that felt a bit loose. He thinks that will last a few years and reassured me it can be replaced if I lose it. I was given 2 treatment options based on my ability to pay. As the gums are so inflamed he advised against the hygienest as a more extensive clean was required. So option 1. 4 sessions with him as a private patient at £100 a session or option 2. he would refer me to the hospital. I chose to go private as I instantly trusted him.
I had my first of 4 cleaning sessions today. I was so much calmer when I walked in compared to last time. They numbed me up with gel and then local anesthetic (I hate needles but the gel made it ok) once I was numb I put on a podcast and 15 mins later it was done. It was loud and when he was scraping my teeth I was convinced they would fall out! I've had no pain as the anesthstic has worn off. I was shaking like a leaf but realised the calmer I forced myself to be the less my jaw hurt.
I can't put into words how relieved I feel now I've been and have a cleaning under my belt. If anyone is interested I'll happily post updates as I continue my journey as reading other stories helped me go.
For reasons I cant quite explain I've put off going for 6 years despite my gums being so red and swollen I no longer smile in photos. I've felt one tooth move a couple of times and it's scared me to death on more than one occasion.
3 weeks ago i realised I wasn't eating on the side of the tooth that felt weird. After extensive research on dentists and what to say to them about being nervous and embarrassed I finally contacted a dentist. They put me in with a dentist who is good for phobias and got me an appointment within a week.
I went last week as an NHS patient. I explained I was terrified and he put me at ease and just looked and asked permission before gently tapping a few teeth he was really gentle didn't really talk too much he was really quick and quiet with the numbers and did very quick x Ray's. He talked me through every tooth on the X-ray. The prognosis is no fillings or root canals (so far) although there is some bone loss it's not extensive aprt from the tooth that felt a bit loose. He thinks that will last a few years and reassured me it can be replaced if I lose it. I was given 2 treatment options based on my ability to pay. As the gums are so inflamed he advised against the hygienest as a more extensive clean was required. So option 1. 4 sessions with him as a private patient at £100 a session or option 2. he would refer me to the hospital. I chose to go private as I instantly trusted him.
I had my first of 4 cleaning sessions today. I was so much calmer when I walked in compared to last time. They numbed me up with gel and then local anesthetic (I hate needles but the gel made it ok) once I was numb I put on a podcast and 15 mins later it was done. It was loud and when he was scraping my teeth I was convinced they would fall out! I've had no pain as the anesthstic has worn off. I was shaking like a leaf but realised the calmer I forced myself to be the less my jaw hurt.
I can't put into words how relieved I feel now I've been and have a cleaning under my belt. If anyone is interested I'll happily post updates as I continue my journey as reading other stories helped me go.
