Found a dentist but scared to call up

[CatUK]

I have found a dentist not to far from myself taking on NHS patients. The reviews sound really good so what is stopping me making that call? For me its the fear of being judged at the state of my teeth and the fact I don't know if I can cope with the pain of the needles as I need extensive work especially on my upper teeth. I have 2 front teeth which are buck teeth and they have half rotted away. I have took the stupid step of filling them myself with a kit I bought online and I am so scared that the dentist will judge me, I am really embarrassed. I have over crowding, top front tooth turning inwards really badly, constant sore throats, black gums etc. My life at the moment is ruled everyday by my teeth.

I saw a dentist 2 years ago for the first time ever and it was such a bad experience and embarrassing with dental nurses coming in and whispering about me (5 or 6 of them) and being lectured by the dentist training the student dentist that I never went back.

I just don't know what to do, even contemplated locking myself away and never leaving the house again. I was agoraphobic for 7 years which is a huge reason to why teeth are so bad.

I know I need to do it to start living but even as depressed as I am I can't overcome my fear esp as I was told I would need injections in my mouth. I just cannot cope with the pain of that

 

[carole]

Hi injections can be given pain free, the dentists have a gel called topical that they can rub on your gums before injecting. They can give injections without using this gel pain free if they inject really slowly you won't feel it.

When you manage to ring the practice explain how nervous you feel and explain how you have on here why, also explain that you can't cope with being judged or ridiculed as this has happened before.

If you see the dentist the first visit will only be a meet and greet kinda thing, they usually like to have a look and maybe take some x rays. They can then discuss what treatment you may need and how best to get it done.

If you meet the dentist and feel you could put your trust in them, then it will make all this a lot easier. The stress and worry are much worse than the treatment.

If you are unlucky enough to see someone that is not listening to you and not making you feel comfortable and showing you some understanding then leave and find one that will.

I hope you can find the courage to make that appointment, and you will when you feel ready. You have to move at a pace that you feel comfortable with and don't let anyone push you into doing more than you are ready to cope with. Always keep in mind that they can only do what you give your consent to. Ask them to the take things slow and to start with the small stuff.

Good luck

 

[pussy cat]

I have found a dentist not to far from myself taking on NHS patients. The reviews sound really good so what is stopping me making that call? For me its the fear of being judged at the state of my teeth and the fact I don't know if I can cope with the pain of the needles as I need extensive work especially on my upper teeth. I have 2 front teeth which are buck teeth and they have half rotted away. I have took the stupid step of filling them myself with a kit I bought online and I am so scared that the dentist will judge me, I am really embarrassed. I have over crowding, top front tooth turning inwards really badly, constant sore throats, black gums etc. My life at the moment is ruled everyday by my teeth.

I saw a dentist 2 years ago for the first time ever and it was such a bad experience and embarrassing with dental nurses coming in and whispering about me (5 or 6 of them) and being lectured by the dentist training the student dentist that I never went back.

I just don't know what to do, even contemplated locking myself away and never leaving the house again. I was agoraphobic for 7 years which is a huge reason to why teeth are so bad.

I know I need to do it to start living but even as depressed as I am I can't overcome my fear esp as I was told I would need injections in my mouth. I just cannot cope with the pain of that

I understand exactly how you feel & am in the same boat - I am so disgusted with the state of my mouth that I can,t believe ANY dentist won,t be horrified-nearly all of my teeth have rotted away so I know it would be a huge job if at all possible to do anything-that terrifies me.i think that maybe although I can,t really afford to go private the chances of finding a more sympathetic dentist would be better than on the nhs-purely because you are paying them-bit like private health care,they certainly give you the best attention-I haven,t been to a dentist since my teens-I am now in my 60,s - I think you were so brave to take the first step a couple of years ago-such a shame the dentist & staff were not sympathetic or your treatment would be over now-I really don,t know how much longer I can carry on like this-I,m so unhappy & in constant discomfort/pain-I would love to know if your getting any further & how you feel - perhaps we could help each other? p/message me if you want to & I will reply - good luck

 

[carole]

I would just like to tell you both that I am an nhs patient. I was a shaking couldn't get my breath, couldn't talk and really thought I was going to pass out when I saw a dentist patient but with the help and understanding dentists I have seen over the last couple of years I have managed to get the treatment I needed and I can now go without all the stress and worry that I used to experience.

I will always feel a bit nervous but I also used to shake like mad too, the dentists of today are very good even on the nhs and they do try and understand. They will encourage you to relax and make sure that things are done at a pace you can cope with.

pussy cat I am 55 and probably like you I gained my fear from the dentists of yesteryear, our childhood dentists were not always very good with us a children.

I hope you both find the courage to get your teeth seen, they will not be the worst that has been seen. Think of it this way without us needing treatment what would all those dentists do all day. They discuss the treatment we need with us and together we come up with a treatment plan.

 

[Haly]

Hello everyone!! : I can say I' was in the same situation at one point well before my deep cleaning: I though my teeth were the worst out there; and dentist had not seen anything like it; believe it or not I was wrong: the higienist told me, we have seen worst!-

as Carole said; you will go to a meet/discussion on the first visit; you can let them know how you feel, and how you been feeling; they will understand' (on my first visit to the dentist I even cried). After that they can make appointment for the next step.. and let you know what you need to get done to start working on the new smile..

I know how you feel, I'am more confident now to smile and go out!! and still got to go for the bottom half deep cleaning...

Best of luck for both of you!!

 

[daggieskye]

One of the best tips for injections into gums was told to me when I was a kid. Ask the dentist to count to 3 and to do the injection on 3, when the dentist says 3 take a deep breath in through your mouth and the cold rushing over your gums means you don't feel the injection at all!