help really anxious

[s dalgleish]

hi i am 26 years old i have 3 kids so my pregnantcys have probably caused alot of my teeth decay but i had a really bad experiance when i was 13 and i would say i have been maybe be 2 or 3 times since then but didnt have any work done my teeth are really bad now i do brush them and use mouth wash but not every day maybe once twice a week i am very embaressed about my teeth as i have alot of broken ones still parts off them in the gum at the back in the bottom and top back i have my too top front but they have hue holes in the back that are showing at the front now and the teeth either side of the to top front are broken with the roots in the gum and people can see them when i talk so i tend to talk with my hand over my mouth i just cant face going to the dentist the smell the thought of needles and metal instruments in my mouth kind of freak me out i shake and sweat get really nervouise to the point that i feel sick i have been given tablets before to relax me but i didnt like the feeling of being spaced and not in controll of whats happening i feel my teeth are in really bad shape but even the thought of getting them out and getting falls teeth scares me id like screw is because i feel theyd be more realy till they explained what they would need to do and the pain it would cause my aunite was the same n she got a plate for the front 5 teeth and she said they were really good i really want to go to the dentist i want my smile back i once had but the hole thought just scares me senceless

 

[ScaredMama]

hi i am 26 years old i have 3 kids so my pregnantcys have probably caused alot of my teeth decay but i had a really bad experiance when i was 13 and i would say i have been maybe be 2 or 3 times since then but didnt have any work done my teeth are really bad now i do brush them and use mouth wash but not every day maybe once twice a week i am very embaressed about my teeth as i have alot of broken ones still parts off them in the gum at the back in the bottom and top back i have my too top front but they have hue holes in the back that are showing at the front now and the teeth either side of the to top front are broken with the roots in the gum and people can see them when i talk so i tend to talk with my hand over my mouth i just cant face going to the dentist the smell the thought of needles and metal instruments in my mouth kind of freak me out i shake and sweat get really nervouise to the point that i feel sick i have been given tablets before to relax me but i didnt like the feeling of being spaced and not in controll of whats happening i feel my teeth are in really bad shape but even the thought of getting them out and getting falls teeth scares me id like screw is because i feel theyd be more realy till they explained what they would need to do and the pain it would cause my aunite was the same n she got a plate for the front 5 teeth and she said they were really good i really want to go to the dentist i want my smile back i once had but the hole thought just scares me senceless

I am also a mom with bad teeth, I just wanted to give you a hug!

 

[muso]

I have just made a "First step" and I know how hard it is to do that..This is a great site for support and people have been kind ..so i thought I would say Hi and give you some support...

 

[s dalgleish]

thank you so much av got the numbers but havent yet phoned the thought of it even makes me sweat and shake but thanks for the support

 

[mikey]

You can do it, the sooner you get it over with the better you will feel.

 

[fatcat]

Hi

Sorry you are feeling like this. Great step to get the numbers of the dentists! If you can't bring yourself to call do you have anyone that might make that first phone call for you? Maybe set up a meeting just to talk to the dentist about what scares you and see if you feel comfortable with them? I was in floods of tears when I first saw my dentist and I would not go near the chair....I just cowared by the window! He just talked to me about normal things til I was calm enough to sit down and let him take a look. My point is that if you find a good dentist and you are comfortable with them and the way they talk to you then that helps take the embarrassment away. They have seen all sorts in their career and you won't be the worst they have seen!

Everytime you feel overwhelmed try to focus on what you want out of this, how nice it will be when you can smile without worry!! You have taken some good steps to take control of this fear please don't stop now. You are strong enough to do this!! We will all be here to support you through it.

Let us know how you are doing and if you need more support/someone to make you smile and put the worry out of your mind just shout!

PS. I was surprised that my dentist didn't have "that" strong awful smell that had stayed in my mind since childhood anymore!

 

[s dalgleish]

well i have just contacted a dental phobia clinic thats local to me and they have started the beat your dental fear e-course through there web page for the next 7 days then they will get me an for an appointment i dont want to put it off any longer it getting me really down i have had alook throught there sight and have desided that i would want to get the implants if i can as i think that they are the most realistic thing i can see i feel sick and a bit shaken just haven got in contact and am no wear near them but i feel abit glad i guess as well abit of mixed feelings but i need to get through this and stay strong i had 2 of my kids with no pain relife so youd think it would be easy to be honest id rather go through that again than what am going to this dentist also uses the wond witch i here is less pain and more comfortable i guess i will just have to see about that

 

[kazengland]

Well Done for getting to this point, I used to think I'd rather have a baby than have anything done at the Dentists...but to be honest I had not had anything significant done at the dentists for over twenty years, nothing with any risk of pain anyway. so didn't really have anything to compare to.... since then, in the last 6 weeks I have had a few fillings and 3 extractions and from my own experience of childbirth the Dentist was a breeze compared to having a baby and so much quicker!!!! Ok no baby at the end of it but quick and painless, not like my experience of childbirth!!!

 

[brit]

well i have just contacted a dental phobia clinic thats local to me and they have started the beat your dental fear e-course through there web page for the next 7 days then they will get me an for an appointment i dont want to put it off any longer it getting me really down i have had alook throught there sight and have desided that i would want to get the implants if i can as i think that they are the most realistic thing i can see i feel sick and a bit shaken just haven got in contact and am no wear near them but i feel abit glad i guess as well abit of mixed feelings but i need to get through this and stay strong i had 2 of my kids with no pain relife so youd think it would be easy to be honest id rather go through that again than what am going to this dentist also uses the wond witch i here is less pain and more comfortable i guess i will just have to see about that

I think I know where you are planning to go and you will be fine...TheWand means the delivery of the local is imperceptible in my experience ..it is not a question of less pain but no pain so relax, you will be in good hands. Way less stressful than even medicated childbirth!

 

[s dalgleish]

well after having alook at some of the pics that every1 has put on this site of there teeth before and after i desided to take some pics of my teeth and put them on the laptop in an album am going to keep a diary so i can see my progress when i finally find my courage to get stuff done after looking at my teeth myself close up in pics the dont actually look as bad a i thought i have 10 teeth rotten to the gum line that are brown or black stumps 3 with holes in them that can be filled but i only need to off the implants on either side of my 2 front teeth and there still pretty white thanks for putting the pics on having done this i am feeling so about whats going to happen but seeing people the same has made me feel alittle better i guess iv not got the courage to put them on here yet because i still feel abit about the state of them but i will put them up at some point this site is so good am glad i came across it i have felt so much easyer about everything thanks guys

 

[fatcat]

Wow! You are making great progress!!

That e-course sounds good and great that you found a place specialising in phobics!!

The feelings you have about whats gonna happen are worse than the treatment, I know how bad it is once you have tied yourself up in knots about it. I still do it before each appointment, but after each appointment I feel great that I have actually done it! Like a feeling of power I guess. Once you have answers about what treatment you need you will feel better about your teeth. I think its the unknown that makes it worse.

 

[s dalgleish]

yea i guess it is more the unknown that causes it but it still doesnt help knowing either but iv even had the courage to talk to my 3 closest friends and they are all up for supporting me and even tagging alone with me to the dentist to show support i used to try and get support from the kids dad but hed always moan because before the apps id go on and on and sking him questions about what will happen ad what they will say and what he thought he used to get snappy about it so i just dont talk to him about it anymore

 

[Stress Doc]

Well done in moving forward. It takes courage to face fear. I am glad you have some friends to support you, but you are the one taking the action, be very proud of that.

I have read the e-course and it is very helpful. Being proactive is the best thing you can do.

Anxiety always focuses on the future, what could happen, might happen but has not happened. It is the fear of the unknown. You can do this and have the power to overcome the fear.

You are going to get the smile you want and deserve.

Blessings and Peace

 

[felicity]

Hi

I don't reply to many posts here, though I must admit that I got an awful lot of encouragement from simply reading other people's posts.
However when I read yours, it seemed so similiar to my story that I thought I should say hi.

I understand exactly what you are saying about the control thing and the whole embarrassment aspect. I also used to cover my mouth if i was speaking couldn't laugh or yawn etc when people were looking at me as I was so embarrassed they would see all my rotten and broken teeth.I couldn't bear to get involved in any conversations about teeth, dentists etc. I understand the emotions you are going through.

Before I started on my 'journey' towards a healtier mouth a few months ago, I had only been in a dentists once in my life. So, I had no idea what to expect, I was totally embarrassed with the situation, I was terrified and felt that I couldn't even breathe properly thinking about making contact with a dentist.

Thankfully, I finally decided that enough was enough and made contact with a dentist and initially wasn't even brave enough to go through with a face to face meeting, finally I did it.

Yes I was petrified going along to the clinic that day-the first few minutes that I was sitting in the room with the dentist, I couldn't even get words to come out of my mouth!!! But when i came out an hour or so later, I felt such ease and relief!! What a feeling it is, and this will be you soon!!!!

I was able to speak openly and frankly to the dentist and he listened and understood, he answered all my questions and as I was in quite a state he didn't look at my teeth on the first day, a few days later I was able to go back and have a treatment plan made. I have now started it, there were extractions, fillings to be done etc... sounded scarey but so far everything has been going well and I can say with all honesty that this is the best decision I have made. It is nice to know that my mouth is becoming healty and the embarrassment is slowly disappearing.

I have been lucky in that the dentist I have found is really one of the most patient people I have met, in addition he makes me feel very much at ease and in control. I hope you find a dentist who you can trust and I am really confident that everything is going to work out well for you. I honestly think the hardest step is the first bit (ie making the call and actually admitting to another person that you are afraid) but once that is over you will be fine.
Go for it, you deserve it. I am not saying that my fear has suddenly vanished, no, I still am very nervous about going but what a difference from a few months ago.

You are not alone in your fears or concerns and you are really brave in addressing them!! All the very best!! It will all work out just fine!!

 

[s dalgleish]

dental phobia

hi well i made it to the dentist today. its been 4 years but this new dentist seem to be very good. and made me feel abit more comfortable. my teeth are in a really bad way. after 3 babys and almost no brushing. but i went in and sat in the chair. shaken and really scared but i did it. they had a good look about and have decided to reffer me to the dental hospital. to be put to sleep because i need 7 at the bottom back and 6 on the top out. so am abit terrifed but they say am getting implants fitted. witch looks and sounds really good. and i want to have it all done. but im totaly terrified the healling time. the things they need to do. etc. any advise or what i should expect would be very greatful plz so very nervous and worried

 

[Cielo]

Re: dental phobia

Hi, S, and welcome to the forum!

Congrats on getting into that chair and getting the ball rolling.

Check out the journals others have written. You'll find a wealth of knowledge there that you won't find easily elsewhere. The search feature will help you narrow things down to what pertains to your situation.

I've had all my teeth extracted and have my temporary dentures. I had two implant screws placed last week that will secure my lower denture when I'm able to finish the process. Up to the the final product, denture or individual crown, the process is very similar. If I can help you with any questions, feel free to ask.

As for advice? The best I can give is to prepare yourself to be patient. Healing can be slower than you might imagine... I was very surprised at how slow progress was made and very impatient for things to be "normal" again. Five months out and I"m still waiting for that "normal" but things are now better than they were before I started the whole process. That's enough progress to make me happy for now.

Spend some time poking around. There are lots of people here more than happy to help you out with advice and support. It'll help a LOT when those frustrating days hit. Starting a journal helps, too. Even if it's just to jot down what you're thinking and feeling.

Good luck, and keep us posted on your progress?

 

[Kalou]

Re: dental phobia

Well done for taking that giant leap into the dentist chair!!

 

[drummerswife]

Re: dental phobia

I second what Ceilo said about healing. Its not a quick process. I would add that it is not a straight line either. I have made tremendous progress in healing my dental trauma but I have had a few detours along the way. For me, I have learned thats okay as long as I keep traveling.

 

[s dalgleish]

Re: dental phobia

i think i am just worried because i have 3 kids and i dont know how its going to affect me if i can still have a normal day to day life after a couple of days resting

 

[drummerswife]

Re: dental phobia

I think what you may want to get lined up are things you can eat because with that many extractions, chewing is probably going to be difficut for awhile. There are some yummy post extractions receipes I and other have posted to help keep up the nutrition. If you dont find them, let me know and I will post them again for you.