Learning to overcome my extreme fear!

[brit]

Takingflight
Glad it went so well...surely you'll be less anxious in the run up next time? You got a hug? I'm jealous - only Harper gets hugs surely?
Keep going to the Dental Spa - save money on your hairdresser maybe instead...some things just aren't worth skimping on, once you've got used to them. Better the you know or in this case (angel)!

 

[scaredstiff]

Lovely to read that your appointment went so well. You've done marvellously and in your case I think to remain uncrowned is a good thing. After all, you're still a princess in all our eyes. Well done. In future when I do my supermarket shopping and see who's taking the off the shelves I shall immediately look at their teeth and decide whether they're celebrating after a dentist visit because I'm beginning to think that we make up a very large percentage of the drinking hiccup population.

 

[takingflight]

Thanks Brit and SS!

Only the dental hygienest hugs, the dentist, not so much! LOL, I'm o.k. with that though, he's not my type! But, if I had the dentist you describe Brit perhaps a hug wouldn't be such a bad thing!!! I do hope that there is improvement next time. I think I've figured out the main source of my anxiety, it's not the actual visit as I'm very comfortable with my cleaning. I just have so many restorations and I do know that in the future some of the teeth will need to move onto the crown stage (although I'm very pleased with staying a princess, SS! Thanks for that! ) as he re-built them for that purpose. So I go in nervous that they are going to tell me I'm at the point I have to get some work done. I've rather enjoyed going almost 2 years without a cavity, that never happened to me when I was a kid!!

SS, that's funny about the wine. I'm going grocery shopping today and I just know that I'm going to have to take a trip down that aisle to see if I can spot any dental celebrators!!

 

[Sparkle1]

Well done for today. I remember reading your story a few months ago just before I decided to dive in and make that first appointment. It was so inspiring and I am so pleased that you are conquering you fear, your story certainly helped me begin to tackle mine. Since I first started visiting this forum I have visited the dentist 4 times and have began to have various treatments. Recently I had my 1st tooth extraction which wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Thank you again for sharing your story

 

[takingflight]

Thank you so much Sparkle, that really means a lot to me! I was so grateful for everyone sharing their stories that allowed me to start my own journey and I'm thrilled to think my experience helped someone else.

Congratulations to you for getting through 4 dental visits and an extraction! You are doing great and I'm sure that any other treatment you have will go smoothly. I notice that this is your first post, so a warm to our group. As you continue your treatment, please let us know how we can support you and how you are getting along!!

Best wishes for your future visits,

Pam

 

[takingflight]

Yet another addiiton to my ongoing success story. Yesterday I actually had a good day and my anxiety level was probably the lowest it has ever been the day before an appt. This morning was a different story as I felt nervous and my stomach was doing flip flops. Luckily my appt. was in the morning so I didn't have to spend the day sitting around stewing about it.

I got there and had to fill out all the patient paperwork; turns out they are required to do it on a yearly basis. I really just wanted to get started but that wasn't to be so I finished up and talked to my husband to take my mind off things. The Hygienist is the sweetest lady and she was doing a number of things at once so I started out with the dentist. I've been worried about a stain on my front tooth but he took one look at it and confirmed that it was nothing more and could be taken care of during my cleaning. He also looked at my recent x-rays and said things looked great. Huge sigh of relief!!!

The cleaning actually went pretty fast this time. She told me that I was doing a good job at home and gave me some pointers as to how to better clean my wisdom teeth. They are so far back there it's a tough reach so hopefully her tips will help. Overall, it took a little longer as they were down a person but that extra time was spent watching entertainment news on CNN so I was fine with it. They were kind enough to give me a little credit towards my bill because of the delays. Overall though, it was pain free and I just keep feeling closer to the staff. I expressed to them that I hoped to continue on this path for a while so I'll be comfortable when the time comes to have work done. They really are caring and don't hesitate to give a shoulder pat or a hug when it's all said and done.

I know there are a few members who are in the same position I was 2 years ago. It's a tough place to be but if you take time to read though here you will find so many others, like me, who never dreamed they would get to this point. I can also say, with complete honesty, that nothing was ever a bad as I made it out to be in my head. The same can be said about this appt., I thought the worst and everything turned out to be just fine! Best of luck to you all!!

 

[mikey]

congrats

 

[takingflight]

Thanks Mikey!!

 

[takingflight]

I'm back from one of my 3 annual check-ups and I have to say that the time flew by between the last appt. and today. Four months isn't that long to begin with but it seriously felt like two!!

I'm happy to report that I managed to get through most of the week without any intense anxiety. I notice that as I get through more and more appointments the time that I stay worked up prior to the next one is diminishing. That's a good sign and will hopefully continue to improve. I did have a few moments yesterday and this morning where the tears popped up but they disappeared quickly.

This is my reminder that "I can do this" as well as my ongoing story to let others know that it is o.k. to still feel nervous even though you may have gone several times. For some it may go away but for others, like me, it could very well take a while to feel comfortable going. Not a bad thing...I can see improvements that let me know I'm getting there.

I went in and she started out with perio charting. I was a little nervous because it's been about a year and I have had problems with pockets around the wisdom teeth. (hard to reach when brushing/flossing) She would measure a few and then type in the computer and on it went. Finally, when she was done she said that everything looked great. Music to my ears. She said that one of my upper wisdom teeth does have a "false" pocket which is just an additional flap of gum that covers the area. Nothing to worry about though!! Yay! Next up was the cleaning which was absolutely uneventful. I didn't need the dental check-up this time so last but not least I got a flouride treatment and a nice warm towel for my face. All my worries yesterday were groundless. My dental work is holding up and no cavities. I could have skipped out of that office. Instead, I'll settle for this...

If you are reading this and afraid to get started on your journey, please know that you are not alone and that there are many, many success stories on here from people just like you. You can do this and it's perfectly fine to be scared or to take your time getting started. If anyone asked me when I first started visiting this forum if I thought I'd be where I am today I would have answered with a resounding NO!!!!!! I would have been wrong, and I'm very happy about that!

 

[takingflight]

For some crazy reason it seems as though I just wrote this a few weeks ago...but no....it's been another 4 months! I am happy to report that this visit was even better than the last in terms of the pre-visit anxiety! I can hardly believe how calm I was, could it be that I'm FINALLY, after almost 3 years, turning the corner on my phobia?

Spent a little while waiting but spoke with a very nice man in the waiting room who was waiting for his wife. Helped that my Mom went with me as she's visiting for a few weeks and we had plans to go out for a nice lunch and shopping afterwards. The cleaning went very well and my hygienist was her usual lovely self. I did have to get 2 x-rays to check on the root canal tooth and the Apico/bone graft tooth. I came close to gagging but actually got through them o.k. Luckily the questionable teeth looked great so no worries there. Then came the moment of truth - she wants to see me every 6 months!!!!!! Woo-hooo I've been waiting a couple of years to hear those magic words!!!!! All my brushing, flossing and irrigating have paid off and she said that my teeth are so clean she has little work to do when I go in. Now I only have to hope that the two month extension does not leave me with more anxiety before my next check-up. I may be making a dentist change before that next visit but for now all is good.

If I wrote in this more than a couple of times a year I'd turn it into a journal. For now though, it is my reminder of how far I've come and hopefully will help at least one person who can't figure out why the fear doesn't just go away. It may take some time but it gets easier and each positive experience goes a long way in helping one become more confident. Thanks to all of you who have helped me along with your kind words through the years!!!

 

[letsconnect]

Congratulations Pam !!! That truly is fantastic news - I know how much you've been looking forward to the day when you'd be changed to 6-month recalls . Sounds like this visit went really well in every respect !!

Time to open a bottle a wine and celebrate: !!

 

[Razzle3]

That's awesome, Taking Flight! Good for you. Lol, I agree with what Scaredstiff said way back when in how amazing (sort of sheepishly embarrassing in my case anyway) it is to come to the place of realizing that your dentist truly is on your side and not out to "get you."

May your triumphs continue!

Mona

 

[brit]

Pleased to hear you are gradually getting less nervous as I kept promising you would ....all still good my end .

 

[takingflight]

Thank you all for your replies. I'm still celebrating and will be until the end of November when I start to dread the next appointment!

Lets - Toast to you for creating the forum that got me back in the chair!

Razzle3- Thanks and you're right, it is nice to know my dentist isn't a in disguise!

Brit - You were right, as if I ever doubted you! (Well, maybe a little bit...I was awfully scared for a couple of years!) LOL!

 

[Razzle3]

Lol, Takingflight to your comment. It's true, most dentists aren't . Now doctors..well..I'm still working on that one. To you for all you have accomplished.

Mona