Dentist in morning, 1st time 21yrs TERRIFIED

[leeB]

Hi all,

So great to find a forum i can find help and support, boy do i need it.
I am now 33 and last saw the school dentist when i was 12 i think!

I have a huge fear and like most have not been near a dentist even with rotten teeth before, but for past 2weeks or so i have been unable to sleep with pain, eating is near impossible and the tooth pain is causing headaches and facial aches constantly so yes i have plucked the courage to make a trip to see a dentist. So 11am in the morning it is.....

I am more worried that maybe the dentist i have choose may not be suitable for a fearful wreck like me, not sure if allowed to post there website else i would for you to see.?
There website and even URL is "gentle", they claim to be great and patient with nervous patients so sounds good so far, but no mention of sedation or any calming techniques. I really felt i had to find a dentist who can see me fast, and they were close by.

Really wondering if i should cancel now and book with a phobic specialist and recommended dentist as recomended here? Even more so as the booking i have is nearly £100 and thats just 1st visit?!!? Not sure want to pay another trip after.

Oh what to do? Shall i go see the dentist i have booked? and hope there good and calming, or should i cancel and maybe have to wait more days to get an appointment with a "recommended specialist" ?

And well any support or advice would help me feel better! Sitting here terrified (and in pain!) about what is going to happen, i know for fact my back molars are pretty much in pieces and rotten/broken (hence the pain)

Will i live through this? (ok melodramatic i know, but sure you know the fear!)
I should say i am in South-East of UK by the way.
Thanks

 

[fromyesterday]

I think I'd go to the one tomorrow, see if he/she is what you want, and go from there. Perhaps if you don't feel comfortable they can refer you to someone they think will be able to deal with your situation better. I don't know if you have the luxury money-wise, but with this fear being what it is I think it's important to find someone you feel comfortable with.

I also have my first appointment coming up on the 14th and I'm scared, but at the same time it'll be a relief to get everything done, you know? Think of how good you'll feel once you're no longer in pain! If you need someone to talk to I'm here.

 

[leeB]

Sadly no money-luxury is not an option (which i know doesnt help in a phobics case)
Had to break into savings account today to fund just a consultation, a savings fund set aside for an important fund But that shows how much it hurts

 

[leeB]

Well i went to the local dentist today who was very kind and caring it has to be said, although he doesnt employ any sedation or other techniques so am possibly thinking of changing to a recommended dentist for any further treatment.

The dentist today had a look around and took some X-Rays and basically gave me the lowdown on my problems and what needs work.It turned out to be partly bad and partly good news..

On the good news, considering its been nearly 22 years since last going to a dentist and in that time i havent looked after my teeth at all, and have lived on Coca-Cola for 10-15years of that time (not in past 2yrs though) He actually said considering that lifestyle i had been, and i quote "Extremely lucky" in that he said my teeth were about avereage condition for my age and needed about the same work that someone my age would have usually had in that time. IE: my neglect and diet hopefully hasnt wrecked my teeth for life.

On tha bad news front, i am in need of 5 fillings and have one tooth (one giving me pain) that is either in need of RCT or Extraction. Suppose its fairly good that its a rear molar in fact that any gaps etc will be fairly unoticed. Not sure how to proceed now as he started by saying that that tooth was "beyond saving" and would need to come out, then after looking at X-Rays after he said "i changed my mind and its possible we could save it with RCT".. So if there is only a small chance of repair, i personally feel i should have it out, it shouldnt be too ugly as back of mouth and hopefully will be less pain and cost also. (which sounds so scrooge like when money dominates health, but its a sad but true fact)

Really not sure what to do now?
He was edging for me to make an appointment to return to "try" out a couple of fillings and see how i go with those first. But to be honest i havent the time or money right to get all the work recommended done, its wrong to admit i know, but right now i just want to get the painful tooth sorted and see where i go from there. I should point out at this stage that in 6weeks time i fly out to NZ for a 1year working holiday, hence a lengthy course of treatment here in UK not really an option in short time scale. And with savings and costs of my trip i can do without a massive dental bill right now. Why do i feel so bad saying that? Its my health, and i know i should fix it, but time and money means now is not a good time.

SO, with my one painful tooth needing removing or fixing where do i go from here? Do i go find a recommended dentist who can use care and sedation on me (ok more cost i dont need, but to be honest really dont think i can go through with it without)
Or do i stick with this guy and take a risk, and also try explain to him about just wanting the bad tooth dealt with only right now? Will he be offended if i say NO to all other treatment and just deal with bad tooth?

Sorry to go on, would appriecate your help..

 

[fromyesterday]

I honestly have no idea what to suggest in that situation, but I wanted to say go you for going in to the appointment! I logged on to ask you if you had and was pleasantly surprised. The stuff you need done is great considering how long it'd been, so yay. Best of luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Yourbigpalal83]

i was in amost the same situation as you were, athough be it im younger, i still know that fear.

I also suffer from panic and anxitity disorders, so for 6 months of my life, my teeth were a constant fear of mine. I finally worked up the currage and got things sorted, and now i feel great. Yes, its true i got some fillings in my mouth, and yes, sometimes i think there going to break or somthing like that, but i know if it happens, which from what im told is unlikely, esp given my brushing and flossing rutine, it can be fixed, and is hardly the worse thing in the world, and isnt even that painful, if painful at all.


If i was you, id go for saving that tooth, but, if its truly beyond repair, and its a back molar, id get it taken out. I had 2 severly damaged molars removed a few years ago, and one was actuley replaced by a wisdom tooth and im still missing the other one but i hardly notice.

How ever, i do wish i came to my senses and faced my fears years ago, but, lessen learned.

Good luck, and just keep saying you will get through this and keep determined, and u will pull though it!