Dental hygienist fear !!!! Advice warmly appreciated

[Achey]

I have a lifelong fear of the dentist and the dental hygienist.
Haven't been to the dental hygienist in around 3-4 year, and the tartar has built up behind a few of my front teeth in particular. As for having a cheap with the dentist? I know that's LONG overdue, but apart from my dental phobia,a lack of money is preventing me from having a checkup as there is no way in this world I can afford to get any work done in this moment - and I know I need loads done
( I almost lost my life to covid 5 years ago, and since I used up my savings , my spouse has supported me financially whilst I am in the process of trying to build up a business that enables me to work despite living with longcovid. I am not eligible for any benefits apart from ESA, so having dental work done in this moment is not an option)

So, to my question....I am filled with anxiety over going to the dental hygienist - precisely because I know my teeth needs a lot of work, and I know she will obviously say something about this.
What do I say? - Hey there! I have an extreme dental phobia, I am neurodiverse and more anxious than most, I have no funds to get any other dental work done than this treatment. So pleeeease just clean my teeth and say nothing about all the work that needs doing!

I feel so paranoid about this , and my anxiety ahead of this visit is just getting worse.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Achey, Know you are not alone and in good company in this..Sounds like fear of them trying to push treatment and shame about the condition and not coming in enough are big factors. Are you thinking of going to a dentist you previously used? or have you looked up some reviews maybe of some anxious friendly practices. It may help to be very upfront when trying new places to find the right fit for a practice letting them know exactly this that you want to take things step by step and want to start with cleaning but need to make sure they are compassionate and non judgemental and will not try to push anything. That you have anxiety and need to take step by step and earn trust . Ask how they work with anxious patients and if they are willing to go step by step with you like this. Alot of them say they work with anxious patients but if you ask how it will give you a better idea of what they mean by that. By letting them know this up front you can catch their vibe and see if you feel comfortable going there.

One thing I did as well was email and FB message and let them know I was an anxious patient and could I come in for a meet and greet to see the office and meet them before any treatment. You'd be surprised how many will let you do this and again you can get a good feel before even sitting in their chair. Sometimes the more upfront about this , the quicker you can weed out the non compassionate pushy ones.

There are some really lovely hygienists out there that will make sure you are comfortable and not judge or try to push, as well as dentists.

 

[Achey]

Thank you so much for your response - I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I've already booked the appointment at the dental practice that I'm registered with (even though I've hardly been there in all the years I've been with them)
My appointment is the week after next, and what makes me anxious is that the dental hygienist may have a go at me for not going years earlier ! These fears that we build up just get worse and worse, and more unmanageable as time goes on- how I wish I had just conquered it when I was young.

 

[SnowyTeeth]

I think "having a go" would be against all their training, these days?

Just got back from my hygiene appointment and must admit I sometimes dread that more than the dentist as at least if they do something they anaesthetise you. But truth is, it wasn't that bad at all. I'm also neurodiverse, also have long Covid, fwiw, (also the 2020 cohort - I think we got it worse with that first variant) and find the dentist and every hygienist I've seen (as the hygienists seem to change) to be brilliant.

They have long Covid and a note on my file to say to not put the chair too far back as I struggle to breathe. Hygienist mentioned it today so it's still on my notes. I would mention the LC and anything else you need to, at the top of the appointment, so you feel more in control.

I was a bit more anxious today as I realised it was another new hygienist and in fact she turned out to be the best one yet. Noted that I couldn't have the chair too flat, and also when she asked me my routine and I said I do't always floss, etc, because I'm too tired standing up for that after I've been cleaning my teeth for 2 mins, she said she had a fam member with a similar chronic condition and totally got it. Then gave me some great tips. (Floss a different time of day, and whichever room you want to do it in, if you need to sit down, etc). Sounds obvious but wasn't to me.

Good luck. I hope you find a lovely hygienist and I know if my teeth had been probematic, she wouldn't have mentioned it. But do tell your hygienist if you have a sensitive area of your mouth so they can avoid.

Let us know how you get on.

Years ago I avoided the dentist for 20 years (and only had one appointment under GA before that, for years). And when I went, I was so ashamed and embarrassed but they were nothing other than kind and at the end, dentist said to me (2008 but I have never forgotten) that my teeth wouldn't even be the worst she'd seen that day. Maybe your experience with the hygienist will be like that, too.

 

[col]

Hi
I went yesterday and had top teeth cleaned perio scale. I've got trigeminal neuralgia and I was quite worried how this would go. Was having heart palpitations all morning with worry and hadnt slept well. Well I was numbed up. I felt some discomfort. Pockets 8ml so embarrassed about it. I had a family member pick me up and take me home. Within 20 minutes after treatment front teeth felt like ive walked into a lamp post, got home 4pm took ibuprofen and cocodamol then pain went and didnt return, didnt need any more pain relief. Ate mashed potatoe 6pm didnt chew it literally swallowed it and drank warm water. I went to bed at 8pm. Today theres no discomfort. I'm back next week for bottom teeth. I will be taking pain relief before the procedure instead of after. I'm currently drinking a warm coffee. I'm probably not going to chew foods today also.

 

[col]

2 hours afterwards