I need help scheduling my appointment

[Icanthsfkjds]

Im one month passed my cleaning appointment. I canceled last minute due to so many things going on in my life.

Last year I was at the dentist at least once a month doing at least something. I get depressed because I see posts on here of people first time going to the dentist at age 20-30's and just minor cavities. Maybe 12 cavities but still minor. Meanwhile back when I was 18 I had tons and were major deep fillings.

It felt like every 6 month cleaning appointment a new cavity arises. Sometimes these cavities complicate the other fillings and a crown is recommended. Im so fearful because I have three crowns already. All three crowns are sensitive and cant really be re-done according to dentist, and no root canal needed according to endodontist. Im scared of the future. I know im due to a filling to the front. I was told in the past if I take care of it I wouldnt have to worry, but the last visit the dentist said I probably get it taken care of. It would be the first in the front. Right in the middle of the two. I dont understand. I brush every day. I never miss thanks to my OCD. More than 2 minutes to get everywhere. I floss. I cut soda 10 years ago. Super limited on sweets and snacking. Only eating once a day. But I still get stuff. Im scared to call. But I know I should. So things dont worsen. I dont have anyone I know to kind of push me. Everyone has passed so it's just me.

Had a bad experience with a different dentist in this office. But I live in a tiny town and it's the only one with no transportation. Besides one that doesnt take insurance. Anyway I dont know how, but I think I need the push to get it done before they get worst even though it's just a cleaning. It's been on my mind for the past month. Teeth for the past year.

 

[Enarete]

Hi there,

so sorry to read about your experience. It sounds to me like changing dentist may be a good idea. I understand that it is the only one in town, but if they fail at exploring reasons for your cavities with you, then they are not of much use. It must be horrible to expect to have a new cavity every time you get in and it sounds a bit strange to me. Seeking second opinion may be the most sensible thing. Any chance on getting to another city once a half a year to see a dentist you actually like and who is helpful? When you have a lot of cavities, your dentist should always help you explore the reasons behind that and help you solve it.

All the best wishes

 

[letsconnect]

Hi, it might be worth getting a second opinion from the dentist that doesn’t take your insurance, if you can afford to do so?

We’ve got a page on tooth decay here, one of the less common causes is dry mouth, have a read and see if any of the factors mentioned might apply to you:

How to prevent and stop tooth decay

Find out how to prevent tooth decay and how to stop existing decay from getting worse.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Sorry for responding so late. I was very scared to even check back.

But thank you for your responses. That article is very useful. Im still reading through it. Very thoroughly. I do get dry mouth very often. Even with tons of water and xylitol spray. Unfortunately all my money goes to dentistry and dental insurance. I dont have a doctor nor medical insurance.

Also unfortunately the non insurance office one is a bit pricey. I did go there once last year for a cleaning. Not the recent 6 month visit. But the previous 6 months. I had to pay a some hundred dollars for the cleaning/examination plus some safety insurance like fee there. My money has been going negative with all these pricey visits so unfortunately those some hundred per visit will just make it worst. But Ill take a look at maybe other options in city further away.

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

I just have one more question. You provide from the website a resource on prevention and stopping. Do you have resources on something on the anxiety side. I view the fear page but nothing is hitting me as something I can fully relate to.

Something on the fleeing aspect of it would be helpful. How can I push my self to not flee? To not make an appointment then dont show?

Another my personal fear is hard to explain. Im scared to go in because they're going to find cavities every time. But the reasoning is they are drilling away my tooth. Part of me. It feels like something that is part of me is not coming back. It's not pain might pop up or anything of those sorts. I can manage a lot of things but the fear of losing something of me that cant come back scares me. It's understandable if nothing exist on that end. At least if you have resources on the fleeing aspect that's a good start.

 

[letsconnect]

Another my personal fear is hard to explain. Im scared to go in because they're going to find cavities every time. But the reasoning is they are drilling away my tooth. Part of me. It feels like something that is part of me is not coming back. It's not pain might pop up or anything of those sorts. I can manage a lot of things but the fear of losing something of me that cant come back scares me.

With a filling, the part of the tooth that is being "drilled away" is already mushy and dead, so in effect, it's the remnants of something that's already gone that are being removed and replaced with an inert material.

When you're asking for tips on the fleeing aspect, do you mean fleeing as in making a dash from the chair or the waiting room, or as in cancelling the appointment?

Out of interest, when you went to the non-insurance office, did their diagnosis match that of the office that takes your insurance? It seems that some dental chains in the U.S. overdiagnose for monetary gain (not saying that that's the case here, just wondering).

 

[Icanthsfkjds]

Sorry for the very late response. I finally got the appointment. They said that the "cavity" or filling is now under a "watch" I dont know what that means. But I have some other issues now unfortunately. I was given a custom bottom mouth guard. But now my front teeth smack often when I laugh and talk . The mouthgaurd also cut my gums. So I have to eventually push my self for another.

With a filling, the part of the tooth that is being "drilled away" is already mushy and dead, so in effect, it's the remnants of something that's already gone that are being removed and replaced with an inert material.

When you're asking for tips on the fleeing aspect, do you mean fleeing as in making a dash from the chair or the waiting room, or as in cancelling the appointment?

Out of interest, when you went to the non-insurance office, did their diagnosis match that of the office that takes your insurance? It seems that some dental chains in the U.S. overdiagnose for monetary gain (not saying that that's the case here, just wondering).

For the fleeing. More like the cancelling. Most of the time knowing I have to get it done, but dont do it afterwards. "Flight response"

 

[Enarete]

They said that the "cavity" or filling is now under a "watch" I dont know what that means.

Hi there,

a cavity being under a watch means that they will check it in your next visits to understand whether it is changing and needs treatment or whether it's okay to leave it there. It is usually when the decay is in its early stage. I myself have a "shadow" on a tooth (means there is decay) but it has not changed for six years and as I go to checkups regularly, my dentist watches it. If it ever grows, we know that it may be time to fix it.

Here are some thoughts about the "flight response" that came to me. This kind of response may occure with any fear that you may have and it is the consequence of how your body and mind reacts to the stress of that fear. If you understand what scares you and try to tackle it, the fleeing will get less. For most people, "flight response" is when the nervous system already is on edge and your logical mind does not work as well as when you are calm. Wanting to cancel is very common for people scared of the dentist and it is one of the typical patterns of dental fear.
You may find some helpful tips on how to work around it in the articles on distraction, relaxation and exposure and cbt. While these have a lot of advice for the actual visit, most of it will be applicable for any moment before a visit when you feel like wanting to flee.

All the best wishes