Abscess - need an extraction phobia at it's worst

[Betty77]

Thank you all again. I'm glad i have here to post how i feel on. No one in real life seems to have any fear of the dentist at all. All I have heard is you'll be fine, don't worry, just get it over and done with! The worst was my partner telling me to stop moaning about it and think of all the people who have real illnesses and have to go through bad times. Didn't help me at all.

Well, by this time tomorrow it should be over and done with.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Thank you all again. I'm glad i have here to post how i feel on. No one in real life seems to have any fear of the dentist at all. All I have heard is you'll be fine, don't worry, just get it over and done with! The worst was my partner telling me to stop moaning about it and think of all the people who have real illnesses and have to go through bad times. Didn't help me at all.

Well, by this time tomorrow it should be over and done with.

Yes!! and my all time favorite "nobody likes going to the dentist" No Kidding! but they don't all lose sleep over it, have nightmares when they do sleep, get sweaty and shaky and nauseated and heart palpitations just thinking about having to go. I totally get what you mean. I have nobody in real life who understands my outright terror at even having to call a dentist. I was so relieved to find this forum.

 

[carriss]

Scaredy, with the amount of us on this forum (and all those that haven't found it) dental fear/phobia must be a HUGE problem. Why isn't there more done about it? If I was a dentist I would be setting up a clinic specifically dealing with nervous patients. I'd make a mint.
Anyway, Betty, best of luck for tomorrow.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

I Agree Carriss, and yet instead it is difficult to find a dentist with enough patience and compassion to even want to be bothered with people who have our level of fear.

 

[zombiegroupie]

I've had 2 bad teeth extracted. The process of extraction is nothing compared to an infected tooth. YOu'll be so glad to be rid of it afterwards.

Just follow the post op instructions and make sure to have ice cream on hand


hang in there

 

[Betty77]

I've had 2 bad teeth extracted. The process of extraction is nothing compared to an infected tooth. YOu'll be so glad to be rid of it afterwards.

Just follow the post op instructions and make sure to have ice cream on hand


hang in there

I wish i liked ice cream
I'm getting told a lot removal isn't that bad. To be honest because the antibiotics have done the trick i'm not in pain from the tooth. I know I will be though if i don't go through with tomorrow.

I'm also surprised there isn't more dentists that are just for nervous patients. Most of them here advertise 'specialising' in nervous patients but when you go they have the patience of a 2 year old. I have been made to feel like an idiot by some dentists. I was referred to the nervous patient clinic within the NHS and saw a dentist who was very kind and understanding but i still couldn't let her treat me. hence why i decided to bite the bullet and pay private where the technology is slightly more advanced and they have a little more time for you.

The practice I have registered with now seem to be very kind and caring and have been more than patient and understanding with my phobia. After emailing this morning they tried to call me 4 times but i didn't have the courage to answer their calls. They will be put to the test by me tomorrow as fight or flight will come into action for me, I am known to run out when backed into a corner.

 

[FearfulInMA]

It's interesting about the whole 'specializing' in phobic patients thing. In the U.S., most dentists who advertise that way do so because they do sedation. My dentist does not advertise that way at all, but has been more than patient with me and my phobia. So, I really think a lot of it is the personality of the dentist and how they approach the work rather than whether or not it's their specialty. I also think that their must be high burnout for dentists who see patients like us all day long. I would think that it may be a little easier to have more patience if you only have some phobic patients interspersed with the 'regular' patients.

I think of it like when I used to work as a therapist. I had a fair number of clients on my caseload that would be considered 'difficult' and/or 'time consuming'. I was very good with them and liked working with them a lot (maybe even better than others). However, I would have never filled my caseload entirely with those types of clients because then I wouldn't be able to devote the time and energy I would have wanted to the ones who needed it most. Does this make sense or is it just crazy talk?

 

[carriss]

Fearful, I know what you mean, it would be exhausting to deal all day with phobic patients.
But there is a need for a specialist surgery. I would feel so much calmer going to a dentist that was used to nervous patients and the dental environment was styled in a way to calm.
When the assistant asked me how I was when I went for my last root canal, I said "nervous", the dentist overheard and asked me why I was nervous. What a stupid question! I had a terrible history with root canal plus I had completed a form answering questions that included how fearful you were.

 

[Betty77]

It's almost time to try to sleep nerves really kicking in now.

 

[zombiegroupie]

My dentist specializes in phobic patients and does not offer sedation (besides gas if you want it)

he is a behavioral therapist as well as a dentist. He's been studying phobic patients for decades. I wish I could teleport you all to see him. he's amazing.


I don't always think sedation is the best way to overcome the phobia and, like I do, some of us have fear of using drugs/being asleep etc.

I hope you can get a good night's rest and by tomorrow night all will be done!!
hugs

 

[Mugz]

Sending some strength and a cyber hand for you to hold today, Betty! Hang in there!! Relief is in sight!!!!!

 

[Betty77]

Sending some strength and a cyber hand for you to hold today, Betty! Hang in there!! Relief is in sight!!!!!

 

[carriss]

Hope you managed to get some sleep Betty. Good luck today.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

Good luck today, thinking of you!

 

[Betty77]

I did it!!!!it was the most easy appointment i've ever had.

 

[carriss]

Well done, what a relief for you! Now you can relax.

 

[Betty77]

After extraction questions now. The tooth was removed about an hour and a half ago. I still keep getting a taste of blood every time i swallow. I've just been to spit and it's bloody but mixed with saliva not just blood - is that normal?

Thankyou all for the last few days getting me through this. I can honestly say it was no where near as bad as I was imagining.

I got there and sat outside in the car for 10 minutes as i was early. 5 minutes before my appointment I went in. In the waiting room the panic set in. Sweaty palms, pins and needles in my hands and ringing in my ears. He came out to get me and said i looked better than last week. Once in there i froze - it wasnt going to happen and i was ready to walk out. His assistant was so lovely and helpful and kind I sat back in the chair and said just get on with it.

The wand was amazing!!!!! Instant numbness, no waiting in the waiting room for ten minutes to numb up. Because i was instantly numb he got right on with it. he crown popped off first then the remaining tooth took less than 5 minutes to remove. I was laid in the chair with my eyes squeezed tightly shut when he said thats it it's done. I couldn't believe it!!! I kept thanking and thanking him and said i couldn't believe i had actually done it.

 

[carriss]

When I had an extraction I was told not to spit out; and no rinsing until after 24 hours. Don't use a straw or smoke. Be careful when you brush your teeth. I think it's totally normal to have blood in your saliva on the first day.

 

[Betty77]

Should i bite down on the guaze again. Only done that once in the dentists room, they have sent me home with some.

 

[ScaredyCat22]

After extraction questions now. The tooth was removed about an hour and a half ago. I still keep getting a taste of blood every time i swallow. I've just been to spit and it's bloody but mixed with saliva not just blood - is that normal?

Thankyou all for the last few days getting me through this. I can honestly say it was no where near as bad as I was imagining.

I got there and sat outside in the car for 10 minutes as i was early. 5 minutes before my appointment I went in. In the waiting room the panic set in. Sweaty palms, pins and needles in my hands and ringing in my ears. He came out to get me and said i looked better than last week. Once in there i froze - it wasnt going to happen and i was ready to walk out. His assistant was so lovely and helpful and kind I sat back in the chair and said just get on with it.

The wand was amazing!!!!! Instant numbness, no waiting in the waiting room for ten minutes to numb up. Because i was instantly numb he got right on with it. he crown popped off first then the remaining tooth took less than 5 minutes to remove. I was laid in the chair with my eyes squeezed tightly shut when he said thats it it's done. I couldn't believe it!!! I kept thanking and thanking him and said i couldn't believe i had actually done it.

YAY CONGRATS!!!
DO NOT SPIT!!! sorry to yell at you but absolutely no spitting for one week AT ALL! do not brush your teeth today or rinse your mouth. you need to bite gently on gauze til bleeding stops. you will ooze for a couple of days, enough to give you pink saliva. that is normal. did they give you no after care instructions? also take your pain pill now before it starts hurting and apply your ice now before it even swells. the more you prevent swelling the less pain you will have and the quicker you heal.