Do you just have to accept your injection is going to hurt and, (for want of a better word thats an awful phrase) "man up"??

[MagicDuck12]

Hello Everyone

Im trying to get into the right "headspace" for an upcoming dental visit in 2 weeks time. Im obviously petrified, and given that ive probably only done 3-4 dental visits in the last 20 years, i would be amazed that theres not something wrong.

I do have a notchy gum in the top left of my mouth, so at the very least im sure theyre going to say i need the deep clean to try and arrest that. I dont feel any pain anywhere in my mouth, so thats at least a positive, although my mouth can go through periods of feeling "weird" and i dont know why.

But the central question is, unless you are using a sedation technique or some ultra fancy method of administering anaesthetic that youll almost certainly be paying a fortune for, do you just have to accept that you ARE going to have to face some pain and one or multiple needles?

Ive been reading through the successes forum, and even people there are saying their injections have often hurt. I appreciate the honesty. What i dont like is people lying, pretending theres nothing to feel when there is.

Injections upset me for a variety of reasons:

1) Ive had some terrible ones in the past. Real searing, electric shock pains that ive felt down one side of my face and chin, that have basically been dismissed as normal and not that big of a deal. Trust me, it was a big deal to me

2) The thought of needles and their association with blood tests, cortisones, and generally all manner of very unpleasant jabs

3) The part that i personally feel is worst for me: the injection has to come at the very beginning of each treatment. It has to come right at the start, when i personally am inconsolable, nervous and on edge, with a guy already with a huge needle in his hand the moment my bum hits the chair

4) The fact that even after the injection, sometimes you can STILL feel the dental treatment, which scares me to death. Even a hint of pain, the whole thing has to stop.


So really, as someone who has multiple fears but needles is certainly a huge one, unless you are using some sort of sedation technique, do you just have to accept that you have to have some pain. It might be 2 seconds, it might be mild, but there will always be a pain of some kind that you just have to accept is coming your way?


Thanks Everyone

 

[Natzuk]

@MagicDuck12 can you ask too be referred to a special care dentist or as k if they will use the wand ?

I had the wand and it’s much better than a needle as I also fear needles , the wand they fill it up with the local anaesthetic then press it next too your gums you just feel pressure but it made my experience so much better ( this was under a community dentist they deal with vulnerable, disabled and mental health issues ) which I have and also autistic so if anything yiu could talk to the dentist and tell them that it’s actually the reason you can not keep doing it . I was in tears and had too beg the community dentist because after 5 years of trying I had a meltdown . They accepted me and they used the wand on me . Hope that helps

 

[Snowy]

I am so sorry you are going through so much worry. My Dr has given me a prescription for a small amount of a tablet which takes the edge off your anxiety. I was told to take 1 at bedtime and then 1 about an hour before the appointment. You are still very much in control, but should not drive. However the whole experience makes you not care what your dentist does.

It is very true when you are tense and anxious, you heighten your senses, which would make you feel everything but magnified. If you relax and be aware if you are holding tension in any muscles, make a conscious effort to keep relaxing.

I am not aware of the injections, and I am always surprised when he says all done!

I really hope everything goes well, and you gain confidence in your Dentist.

 

[letsconnect]

@MagicDuck12 you might find this info interesting:

Painful Injections and Needle Phobia

Are you terrified of dental injections? Find out why shots may be painful, how to make them comfortable, and what to do if you have needle phobia.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

A lot of it depends on the dentist's technique. Also, in some places it is more difficult to give painless injections than in others, but there are always ways of making injections more comfortable. Finding a dentist who cares about keeping you comfortable is so important.

Personally I've been lucky enough to never have had a painful injection (despite being tense lol) so I do think it's probably mainly down to technique...

Anyway, the page I linked to above should hopefully answer at least some of your questions!

P.S.

4) The fact that even after the injection, sometimes you can STILL feel the dental treatment, which scares me to death. Even a hint of pain, the whole thing has to stop.

Yes, you should definitely have a stop signal in case you still feel any pain. Usually just waiting for a little bit longer, topping up with some local anaesthetic, or giving it in a different spot will work, but some people have an unusual anatomy which requires a bit more thought. You can find out lots more about problems getting numb here:

Can't Get Numb

Find out why you may not get numb enough, what dentists can do to get you numb, and how to ensure your treatment is painless.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

And also, here's some information about the Wand that @Natzuk mentioned:

The Wand

Find out how the Wand® STA system, a computer-controlled dental injection ideal for anyone with a fear of injections or needle phobia, works!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

 

[Natzuk]

@letsconnect I disagree with the technique thing . It hurts regardless. That short sharp scratch is enough to put you off for life , if you have intense fears or can feel things more than someone else then am sorry dentist nurses etc need to listen more and be considerate for the last years that’s all I’ve had oh you won’t feel a thing ( even if I have found the dentist to be understanding) and no I did feel it and it caused me a lot of distress. The wand should be used but apparently they don’t ( unless you are saw at a community/ special care centre )

I just cried again to a doctor because I know what I’m experiencing isn’t fear it’s PTSD , and he said he will refer me to talk about this too the mental health team .


Yes I do say things which may not seem right but that’s just how I am because I will never lie and much prefer being honest .
Needles hurt regardless. Even when I had to be put asleep and was number with numbing cream it hurt , .

 

[MagicDuck12]

@letsconnect I disagree with the technique thing . It hurts regardless. That short sharp scratch is enough to put you off for life , if you have intense fears or can feel things more than someone else then am sorry dentist nurses etc need to listen more and be considerate for the last years that’s all I’ve had oh you won’t feel a thing ( even if I have found the dentist to be understanding) and no I did feel it and it caused me a lot of distress. The wand should be used but apparently they don’t ( unless you are saw at a community/ special care centre )

I just cried again to a doctor because I know what I’m experiencing isn’t fear it’s PTSD , and he said he will refer me to talk about this too the mental health team .


Yes I do say things which may not seem right but that’s just how I am because I will never lie and much prefer being honest .
Needles hurt regardless. Even when I had to be put asleep and was number with numbing cream it hurt , .

I couldnt have said it any better.

I hear the same things over and over, "youll feel nothing"...."just a little pinch"....

Im sorry but no. My lived experience tells me otherwise. Ive been hurt MULTIPLE times by having these injections put in my mouth. They are deeply unpleasant to me. It has not EVER been a little pinch, it has not EVER been "nothing", and i imagine if you put some of these people off the record and got them to speak totally from the heart, they will tell you they feel it too.

 

[Natzuk]

@MagicDuck12 thanks .

I will always be truthful. The wand will definitely help so if you can ask about it no doubt you will be told to go private as that’s all it’s about now money .

Good luck and you can always message me if you want. Am sat with a black tooth after a dentist said a root canal will help ( it was a tiny infection and I’ve had no issues at all ) now my tooth’s a mess and it looks disgusting but yet again I felt I had no choice too disagree so had too do it

Am off to see the special care team tomorrow as an emergency for now a cracked tooth! I want my teeth gone because for me it’s more than fear it’s PTSD it keeps me awake most nights

 

[charlesvalley]

It's maybe a person to person case. In mine, most injections i cant feel a thing.