M
Miki1975
Junior member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2007
- Messages
- 3
I have always been terrified by dentists, ever since I had my first filling at the age of 6 and without anaesthetic!I had a few fillings since then and I was in such a state each time...my record folder carries the *NERVOUS* title on the front page!Last week I went for a consultation after nearly 2 years I hadn't been. I was quite confident that no work was needed because I brush my teeth 3 times a day and floss them every day. I bought a little dental mirror as well and a little torch to inspect my teeth...well, the dentist found a cavity between my first and second bottom right premolars. Because it was between the teeth, it wasn't visible, but by shininh a torch on the tooth I could see a shadow inside it. The decay had already made its way towards the centre of the tooth, that is, the nerve!! Panic!!!I booked an appointment for Friday 7th Dec and started to panic. The dentist also prescribed some Temazepan to be taken 1 1/2 hours prior to the appointment to help calm me dowm.I could not sleep, I was shaking, couldn't eat etc... My main worry was the dreaded drill...last time I had a filling I felt a sharp pain right at the end of the drilling, not a huge pain but enough to put me off going again and that was the main cause of my worries for Friday's appointment. I started searching every dental phobia website, dental supplies etc...I think I can go on a degree course in dentistry now, after all I have learnt in just a few days. I wanted to get familiar with the sight and sound of the drill. The thought was constantly churning in my head, while working, driving, cooking, every moment. My friends started to worry, my husband was worried too, I was making myself ill and looked dreadful. This morning, with 48 hours to go to the appointment I felt sick, really low. My friend Marcela came round at lunch time and persuaded me to eat something. She put the Temazepan tablets in front of me and said "look at them, they are going to help you!". She hated to see me in that state. Then when I finally finished my sandwich she got the tablets out and, in tears, she said "come on, now take the tablets, we are going to the dentist!". I jumped off the chair and said "shut up! What have you done? I can't go today, I am not ready!" Would I have ever been ready?? My husband, Dominic,was on his way back from work. They arranged it all. They had called the dentist cancelled the appointment for Friday and re-booked it for today. They didn't think I could carry on like that til Friday. I hated them and at the time felt thankful to them. After 1/2 hour panic, I started to get ready and we left. My husband had already asked the dentist to give me an extra dose of anaesthetic and to go slowly. And she did. She was very patient, I had three injections and didn't feel any pain. She stopped the drilling every 3 senconds to make sure I was ok. Dominic was also holding my hand all the time during the procedure. I really reccomend having a partner/friend in the consulting room if you are nervous. It's not embarrassing or childish, dentists are used to nervous patients and don't mind it. It gave me more confidence and I really wanted to have the filling done to show m husband and friend my gratitude for their "trick". I can't believe I did it! I felt no pain at all and I know I am going to sleep tonight and I don't neeed to go to the dentist on Friday anymore!!The Temazepan wasn't as strong as I thought, it is not a miracle drug, but it helped to calm me down and I wasn't shaking anymore. I would definitely reccomend it.