Dentist appt soon - very nervous! :(

[infiniteyounges]

Hi all, i have a dentist appointment in a couple of hours and i am so nervous! I haven't been to a dentist in 2 or 3 years because i don't like him very much. He always lectures me and makes me feel worse and it's just so embarrassing for me.
I think i have an abscess so i know what he is going to say is gonna be even worse, and it puts me off going even more! I know i need to, i'm just so nervous of the whole process. I'm worried even a check up is going to hurt since my tooth is so sensitive.
How can i calm myself down to make me leave the laptop and actually go to the dentist?

 

[Kim]

Bless you - fear overtakes us sometimes doesn't it - and that is rotten!

You should not be lectured by anyone, and you are always free to get up and leave if you don't feel comfortable or happy with the situation. Have you thought about finding another dentist, and one that understands your phobia and fear more?

You can either cancel this appointment and find another dentist, or try and pluck up the courage to go, and tell either the nurse or him, just how petrified you are.

Whatever your decision, I hope that you can get the help and treatment that you need done, and in a way that is not going to make you feel worse or embarrassed.

Take care.

Kim

 

[toucan]

Oh dear! The waiting is really the worst thing ever isn't it. Kim is right, you deserve to be treated with understanding of your fears.

The thing that physically makes me go is the thought that it will all be over in X number of minutes. After not going for 20 years, I also know that not going is many times worse. The things that stop us going magnify and take over our lives if we let them. Very good luck, be determined to be treated kindly. If it doesn't happen, start looking elsewhere.

 

[coolin]

I used to keep going to a dentist I didn't like too. I think it was because I felt I had no choice. Actually I never even thought about why I went to him - - I just did because he was my dentist.
Looking back and with the knowledge I have gained since finding this forum and finding a good dentist I think the reasons were these:

• my teeth were really low priority in my life so I only paid attention to them if they hurt
• low self worth
• dentists are all the same
• only people who live in big posh houses go to private dentists

I think you should change your dentist. There are much nicer dentists out there. Try the recommendations section.
But if you go today and you do indeed have an abscess he will likely give you antibiotics. That gives you a bit of breathing space so you can find someone who will understand your fears.
They are out there I promise

 

[infiniteyounges]

Thanks everyone - i don't know what I was worried for It took all of 5 minutes and now I just have to go back tomorrow to get a tooth extracted!

 

[AJS]

Glad to hear it went well! And don't ever let any dentist make you feel bad, that is so counter-productive for them to do.

 

[carole]

It is lovely to hear this, good luck for tomorrow