I'm 27 and have my first cavities

[rabbittuna62]

I've had a dental phobia all my life but have been lucky enough to never have any major problems, even when avoiding the dentist for years at times. Fast forward to a couple weeks ago when I started having bad pain in a top right molar. I finally caved and made my first appointment in 3-4 years to get a check up. I have cavities... 7 of them I am absolutely terrified of getting them done and the painful tooth needs a root canal which sounds so awful. The other teeth just need fillings but I've watched videos and the needle and drill look so painful. I'm tempted to not even go and just let the teeth rot out. Please help.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

Hello rabbituna62, to DFC , First off glad to hear you haven't had any major problems, that is good news. and great job at being courageous to step out and go to this first appointment despite having dental phobia! Now adays with the pain relief available. If you get a good dentist who is anxious friendly and patient. You can have pain free shots, they typically give you a little local gel to make it not painful initially then give you a little at a time , with the right dentist you can't even feel a thing. My teen son had fillings and never had a clue the dentist used a local anesthetic shot.. Also with root canals and technology, I personally have been told recently I need one and the local reviews are mostly that people fell asleep during the procedure. How is the dentist you are going to ? Do you have a good relationship? are they patient and anxious friendly?

 

[rabbittuna62]

@krlovesherkids777 Thank you. I'm glad to hear your son did ok with everything. My dentist is okay... fairly gentle but definitely made me feel bad for needing so much work. I'm a little afraid to go back there for the work.

 

[krlovesherkids777]

rabittuna, agh, I'm sorry your dentist made you feel bad for needing the work. It is such a normal thing for so many of us to need a bit of work. It would be great If we we weren't shamed as it takes so much courage to go in the first place. There are definitely dentists out there who would not make you feel bad.

 

[honeybee91]

Hi did you have your fillings and root canal done yet? I need 4 fillings done, I had my exam over a month ago and next month I get them filled. I had 2 fillings done back as a teen and I just remember being numbed and not feeling anything the dentist did. I’m a very anxious person and some days I start worrying about my fillings but then I remind myself my dentist is friendly and knows what he is doing and wouldn’t let me sit in pain, it’s their job to make it painless. I hope your dentist is a good one.

 

[rabbittuna62]

@honeybee91 I haven't gotten the work done yet. I've been too afraid to schedule it