My first appointment after 10 years

[Alibennett]

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all having a nice day/night wherever it is you are in this wonderful world!

So, to make a long story as short as I possibly can... I have an appointment booked in with a new dentist tomorrow after 10 years of avoidance.
I found a concerning patch of dark decay on the side of my top left wisdom tooth about 3 months ago. My wonderful partner convinced me to get it checked out, and so I went on the dreaded search to find a new NHS dentist after my previous had kicked out all of us NHS patients and went private. Mind you, I had a terrible experience with this previous one, with a very unkind person who did not care for my phobia and caused a lot of trauma in the process. This had been one of the reasons for me refusing checkups (as well as needle phobia.)

I do luckily find myself a dentist taking on NHS patients who have brilliant reviews when it comes to anxiety patients like myself (phew...) and I am informed that the waiting time for a check up is 3 months, hence the long wait. Well, it has now been 3 months and my appointment is tomorrow.
I have hardly slept for the past few nights, constantly worrying. My stomach has not stopped churning, I'm sweating and my brain has been telling me to cancel (which I have not, thankfully.)
I am quite frankly terrified. I'm very much expecting a few fillings, perhaps even a root canal or two. Depression can really make you forget how care for yourself and my dental hygiene has not been great... I'm much better now, but the damage has already been done. My wisdom tooth on the other hand... well, I'm expecting to be told it needs to be removed. Both my top wizzies have come through awkwardly, facing my inner cheeks. They haven't caused me any pain, but the fact that my left has become bad is a sign that I can't clean them properly. This has left me reeling... extractions already scare me and I may very well be in the thick of it. My bottom wizzies are yet to make their entrance, but the inevitable x ray will be able to say whether or not they're going to cause me trouble. I hope not, but I cant change what that x ray says...

So, I guess I just need some support. I'd love to hear all of your recent experiences! I suppose much has changed from 10 years ago so, yeah

 

[letsconnect]

Hi @Alibennett, just wanted to say well done for making the appointment and for finding a dentist who's got good reviews for helping fearful patients. I think there's a lot more awareness around dental anxiety/fear/phobia nowadays, and also, the approach overall has shifted more towards preventing new problems and arresting existing ones, rather than doing as much treatment as possible. So your experience will hopefully be a lot better than what happened to you 10 years ago!

I hope your visit today goes smoothly and you get on well with your dentist (if for any reason it doesn't, don't hesitate to keep looking for someone different - finding the right dentist for you really is key to overcoming your fears).

Best of luck and let us know how you got on

 

[smirked]

Depression can really make you forget how care for yourself

Absolutely. I can speak from personal experience - it isn't easy.

You made the first move, took the first step. You're going in the right direction. Be proud of yourself for taking a difficult step toward regaining your dental health. I know how difficult it is!

With a dentist for phobics or individuals with anxiety issues, the experience is far different. It's a night and day situation.

Let us know how you got on.

 

[Ten minute mile]

@Alibennett I had avoided the dentist for 30+ years before going a few months ago. Shockingly no cavities but an infected tooth that needed to come out. Anxiety and fear off the charts. Very understanding dental team from front desk to oral surgeon. Truly didn’t think I could get through it. But, they gave me a double dose of triazolam 30 minutes prior and laughing gas, and I remember nothing. I didn’t think that was possible without being out completely under but it was amazing. Now the days after we’re not so much fun but 10 days later and am so glad to be on the other side. If I can through it anyone can!