Called My Dentist Today, Have Appointment Next Wednesday. Cue the Panic

[BrittanyMegan04]

I've always hated the dentist however a few years ago, in 2015, I smartened up a bit. I went for a cleaning that March to discover that I had 10 cavities. I had all 10 filled that July within the month, an appointment per week. In August, I had my two upper wisdom teeth pulled with only local anesthetic and didn't shed a tear. In September, I went for my 6 month cleaning like a good patient. Then life happened and I always found a reason to delay going to the 6 month appointment after that.


Now it's February 2017 and I haven't been to the dentist in what feels like so long that my fears have blown up once again, and my anxiety when it comes to going is through the roof. I called today because I know I SHOULD book the appointment to have them cleaned. I'm pregnant, so that eliminates the x-ray portion of the appointment (which imo is one of the worst parts) and the dentist will just do a visual inspection of my teeth. I know I have a couple of cavities in molars with 15 year old fillings that are due for replacing however ideally I would like for that work to wait until after I deliver.



I don't know what made me call the dentist today, however a part of it is that I have an amazing fiance and will have a child and I know I need to take care of myself for them. I wish I had my anxiety medication to take for the appointment but I'm trying to not work myself up too much (and failing). I've always hated my teeth, and could never afford braces to 'fix' the overbite issue, and it's something that previous dentists have mocked me for my entire life and I know that's a source of my anxiety - I don't want anyone to look or bring attention to my teeth because I am so self conscious of them.

 

[pjop]

Brit, I went to the dentist today for the 1st time since 2001. I have a mess going on in my mouth and have an appt. to go back next Wed. I, too, am afraid of being judged. If someone is rude enough to say something about your overbite, get up and walk out and find someone more suitable. I was prepared to do that. I had been to my dentist previously and did not feel like it would be an issue...but was prepared to do that if I needed to. I will not hand over my hard earned money for a service and be treated rudely. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect. I am a nurse and I would not dream of behaving in a judgemental way to one of my patients. So, you just go in and hold your head high and know that you deserve to be treated with dignity and if they don't think the same, then that is on them.
So THERE! LOL. It's going to be ok. I was so glad when I walked out of there that I got this thing going. Good luck!
Pam

 

[BrittanyMegan04]

Thank you. The dentist I've been seeing since 2015 and the hygienist are honestly two of the nicest ladies I've ever met and never once have I been made to feel uncomfortable in their office. I know it's just lingering memories that cause me the anxiety, and the fear of the unknown. I can see a few spots in my mouth, nothing hurts, but I'm terrified I'll go in there and it'll be 'they all need root canals'. It's irrational I know. I'm trying to tell myself not to cancel the appointment because it would be so easy to just call and leave a message.

 

[jbkb]

I had a similar experience - last year I went for my first appointment in years, I was forced into it as I had an infected tooth and it got seriously bad - the gum was grey, it tasted bad and was oozing pus (sorry for tmi). Basically my fear made me wait until I felt I had no choice but to go. I had a bad experience with the first dentist I saw, who casually told me the tooth (beneath a crown) was beyond saving. He was totally breezy, said 'you'll get used to the gap' and pretty much made me feel as if I was upset over nothing.

I angonise over the knowledge that I will lose my tooth for a month or so, then decide I can't face the same dentist again. I pay to go see a private dentist who specialises in anxious patients. She is AMAZING, and helps me through both a filling and the extraction of my infected tooth. It's not a pleasant experience but far, far easier than I imagined. I had a sedative to help my nerves, which was awesome as I felt pleasantly detached (as if I'd had a few drinks) and the whole thing was painless (during and after).

Although it was a good outcome, as time went on, I felt as if I had 'used up' all my courage getting through that. I kept putting off my next check up. I then went through a traumatic break up and my self esteem and mental strength were totally rocked. This made me put it off even longer.

Anyway, I recently decided to bite the bullet and go back. I honestly thought I would need some more work done. Spent two weeks dreading it. Couldn't sleep the night before. Nearly cancelled it the morning of, as I was so nervous. Went in there a sweating, blushing, weeping mess. She had a quick look at my mouth and told me all was fine. I couldn't believe it. I've not had that sort of check up since I was a teenager.

Obviously I am extra relieved because I got the all clear, for now. But I think even if I had been told I needed treatment, the feeling of facing my fear and going, and of getting on the road to a healthy mouth, would still have been there, and it does feel great.

You've done what is in some ways the hardest part - committing to getting your teeth back to a healthy state and making the appointment. Take it one step at a time. Find a good dentist who will take care of you and not make you feel bad - a good dentist will want to help and take professional and personal pride in helping you through this.

You will feel happy and relieved when you've passed the first hurdle. Keep picturing the future with a healthy smile, you can get there. Good luck!

 

[BrittanyMegan04]

Update: I ended up calling early this morning and cancelling my appointment. Trust me, I'm beyond disappointed in myself - so disappointed that it verges on hating myself for cancelling it. I can justify it to myself all I want - my teeth aren't in bad shape, nothing hurts, nothing is sensitive, my fillings aren't falling apart and the possible cavities (i dont even know if they're cavities or just stains. I've had them since before my last check-up and she didnt want to fill them then), I would get in trouble at work becaues I have to take time off the day before for a prenatal appointment, the stress and anxiety the appointment caused me yesterday alone was making my heartrate and mind be in a dangerous state for the baby - but I know nothing will justify me being a baby and cancelling it.