C
C86
Junior member
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2022
- Messages
- 1
- Location
- UK
To cut a very long story short, I have high functioning Autism and I have suffered years of anxiety and NO support for any of it from any statutory services. I have seriously neglected my oral health over the past 20 odd years. I have not seen a dentist since 2004!. That all changed today when I woke up with facial swelling and a nasty abscess!. I had to get in to see a local dentist as an emergency. As soon as I walked into the building, my phobia was gone. I found a lovely dentist, lovely practice, all the staff are wonderful. According to the dentist, I am NOT the worst he has seen, he has dealt with people who flee or faint when they see the chair!. I wasn't at all bothered, I explained my problem, I have to take antibiotics for seven days then I am going back next Friday for an exam discussion about the work I need doing. I thought the only way my teeth would ever be sorted is if I had a general anesthetic!. However, I now know that can certainly be avoided. Nobody wants a GA if they can avoid it, and I know I can now. I doubt very much I will even need sedation. I know this is very helpful for some people though, so if you need it, don't be afraid to ask your dentist.
I saw a really lovely dentist who knows all about DP. He even said I was not showing any signs of being really anxious, which I wasn't, I was as cool as cucumber!. I am so happy that I am finally going to get the smile I have dreamed of for years!.
Unfortunately I have been unable to get an NHS appointment due to lack of availability in this city, so my mum is having to help out with the costs, but in order for me to have a good experience, I really need to stick with this dentist now, I trust him and I trust the practice to get my teeth and gums back into good health. I also have gum disease, which will be sorted as part of my treatment plan.
It's highly likely I will land up possibly with a full denture, but this is not the end of the world, I will be able to smile with confidence again. Lots of people have dentures, so don't be ashamed of it!.
I know there are folks out there with much more severe phobias than I have. I was able to conquer mine today, so if I can do it, so can you. You WILL get there eventually. Half the battle is finding a good, understanding dentist.
I was shocked when I walked in, there was no 'dentist smell', no drill sounds, nothing that I ever expected. I had the idea in my head at one point that dentistry was 'Victorian', lol. I assure you it is anything but that.
Good luck guys, you'll beat this beast!. The way I see it it's like defeating a game boss (big video game addict here!). You gotta defeat the boss to get to the next level, and for me, the next level is a new smile!.
I saw a really lovely dentist who knows all about DP. He even said I was not showing any signs of being really anxious, which I wasn't, I was as cool as cucumber!. I am so happy that I am finally going to get the smile I have dreamed of for years!.
Unfortunately I have been unable to get an NHS appointment due to lack of availability in this city, so my mum is having to help out with the costs, but in order for me to have a good experience, I really need to stick with this dentist now, I trust him and I trust the practice to get my teeth and gums back into good health. I also have gum disease, which will be sorted as part of my treatment plan.
It's highly likely I will land up possibly with a full denture, but this is not the end of the world, I will be able to smile with confidence again. Lots of people have dentures, so don't be ashamed of it!.
I know there are folks out there with much more severe phobias than I have. I was able to conquer mine today, so if I can do it, so can you. You WILL get there eventually. Half the battle is finding a good, understanding dentist.
I was shocked when I walked in, there was no 'dentist smell', no drill sounds, nothing that I ever expected. I had the idea in my head at one point that dentistry was 'Victorian', lol. I assure you it is anything but that.
Good luck guys, you'll beat this beast!. The way I see it it's like defeating a game boss (big video game addict here!). You gotta defeat the boss to get to the next level, and for me, the next level is a new smile!.
