L
Lauralouise101
Junior member
- Joined
- Aug 24, 2021
- Messages
- 18
- Location
- UK
Hi, starting this to track my journey.
My last visit to the dentist was 6 years ago and since then I have been diagnosed and now take medication for Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks.
I had some bad experiences when little at the dentist. The molars that appear around age 7 didn’t develop properly in the gums so I had to have them all removed (upside is that made room for my wisdom teeth). My adult canines started to grow along the top of my mouth so I quickly had to have the baby teeth out. At this appointment the dentist said he would just be having a look to begin with but then suddenly injected me without any warning. Then in my teens I needed a brace. The orthodontist was horrible and got annoyed when I said stuff hurt or if I looked in pain. On my first visit I still had a wobbly baby tooth and he asked if I wanted him to pull it out, or whether I would wobble it out before the next appointment. I said I would do it but then when he had another look he suddenly pulled it out and then got annoyed that there was blood. He even told my mum that I wanted him to pull it out! All of this contributed to a fear of dentists and when my GAD got really bad I stopped going.
Having my covid vaccines even though I’m scared of needles has prompted me to face my fear. On Monday I made an appointment and will be going on Friday to a dentist who is supposed to be good with anxious patients. I explained my situation by email and the receptionist said this dentist was very caring. I’m terrified. Ever since I made the appointment I’ve convinced myself I have just about every dental problem you can possibly have. I’m worried my bottom front gums are very thin but someone on here has said they look ok based on a photo which has calmed me a bit. I don’t have any pain, haven’t got any bleeding when I brush and haven’t noticed any abnormal sensitivity to hot / cold. I’m hoping this means everything is ok but my anxious brain won’t stop thinking of worst case scenarios and I convince myself I’ve ruining my teeth and will need to have them all removed.
As much as I’m dreading it, I now just want the appointment to be over so I know what the verdict is.
My last visit to the dentist was 6 years ago and since then I have been diagnosed and now take medication for Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks.
I had some bad experiences when little at the dentist. The molars that appear around age 7 didn’t develop properly in the gums so I had to have them all removed (upside is that made room for my wisdom teeth). My adult canines started to grow along the top of my mouth so I quickly had to have the baby teeth out. At this appointment the dentist said he would just be having a look to begin with but then suddenly injected me without any warning. Then in my teens I needed a brace. The orthodontist was horrible and got annoyed when I said stuff hurt or if I looked in pain. On my first visit I still had a wobbly baby tooth and he asked if I wanted him to pull it out, or whether I would wobble it out before the next appointment. I said I would do it but then when he had another look he suddenly pulled it out and then got annoyed that there was blood. He even told my mum that I wanted him to pull it out! All of this contributed to a fear of dentists and when my GAD got really bad I stopped going.
Having my covid vaccines even though I’m scared of needles has prompted me to face my fear. On Monday I made an appointment and will be going on Friday to a dentist who is supposed to be good with anxious patients. I explained my situation by email and the receptionist said this dentist was very caring. I’m terrified. Ever since I made the appointment I’ve convinced myself I have just about every dental problem you can possibly have. I’m worried my bottom front gums are very thin but someone on here has said they look ok based on a photo which has calmed me a bit. I don’t have any pain, haven’t got any bleeding when I brush and haven’t noticed any abnormal sensitivity to hot / cold. I’m hoping this means everything is ok but my anxious brain won’t stop thinking of worst case scenarios and I convince myself I’ve ruining my teeth and will need to have them all removed.
As much as I’m dreading it, I now just want the appointment to be over so I know what the verdict is.