Having a Filling done....

[Guest]

Hi,

I went to the dentist a few days ago and the dentist found a SMALL cavity on one of my 12 year molars that had been coming in very slowly - he was supposed to seal it today with a sealant like I've had done on my other teeth. I'm supposed to go get it filled next Thursday at 11am - I've never had a filling before except for when I was 4 or 5, and I barely remember that. I'm pretty frightened - I'm almost 14 years old, do you think the dentist would object to my mother sitting in why he does the filling? That would help me a whole lot. They said it should take under 45 minutes so I guess you can tell, it's a pretty minor issue but I don't really know what to expect, and I have a moderate gag reflex - I've never actually "gagged" but I feel like I'm going to sometime when they clean my teeth or take Xrays. Is there any kind of over-the-counter drug or something I can take before they do it to help calm me, just in case I panic or something? If I sound like I'm making a big deal out of this, excuse me, I just don't really know what to expect.

Thanks

 

[letsconnect]

Hi Chris ,

most dentists wouldn't object to your mother sitting in if this is your wish and you'd feel happier that way. To help with the gag reflex, remember to consciously breathe through your nose, and you can also get Vicks Ultra Chloraseptic Throat Spray over-the-counter in a pharmacy (assuming you're in the UK - but any throat spray with numbing action will do the trick). This really relieves the gag reflex. 2 or 3 sprays right before treatment should last about an hour.

While you're in the pharmacy, you can also stock up on a natural drug called "Rescue Remedy", which you can take beforehand. This helps to calm you in case you feel anxious or panicky.

I'd also recommend you let your dentist know that you're anxious, because this will give them the chance to make you feel more at ease.

As you said, it's a pretty straightforward minor thing, and you should have no problems at all ! Please let us know how it went

 

[Guest]

Hi!

Thanks for the welcome. I will certainly do what you said to.
Since the cavity is so tiny, should I expect any pain or discomfort from it (judging by experience?)....I'd really like to know in advance

Thanks for your help

 

[letsconnect]

Highly unlikely... If there is any discomfort, it's usually due to too much filling material having been applied, which means that your bite can be slightly off. When this happens, it's very easy for your dentist to adjust it, just let him or her know (you won't know until the numbing has worn off though). Doesn't happen very frequently, but that would be the most common cause for potential discomfort after a filling (you see, it's safer to use too much filling material than too little, because too little would mean having to redo the filling, whereas with too much, it can easily be reduced...).

There can be some sensitivity after any filling, but most probably, you won't notice anything afterwards (especially with a tiny cavity).

 

[Guest]

Thanks to you this site, I'm no longer dreading my appointment! I'll be sure to do what you said to, just in case I get excited or something while they're working. I'll check back afterwards and let everyone know how it went.

Thanks!

 

[letsconnect]

Please do check back and let us know how it went !

Best of luck (not that you'll need it) !

 

[sin_city]

does one cavity really take 45 mins?

 

[Andria]

Hi sin city, i've had three fillings one on a front tooth and two molars of which one was quite deep. They all took 15 to 20 mins from start to finish, that included allowing enough time to make sure i was fully numb.

I can only really see it taking longer than that if you encounter complications.

take care
x