My first appointment in 8 years today, terrified.

[CammyM]

It's today. I'm absolutely terrified, I've never had a visit to the dentist in my life that wasn't traumatizing. I haven't been in 8 years and am so afraid of what I may need done. I'm just hoping that the dentist is kind, not dismissive of my fears. I'll post back here once it's over and give an update. I know I'm going to have a breakdown there and cry, I'm quite sensitive and emotional, and it's going to make me embarrased. I'm dreading everything about this.

 

[mscam]

Good luck! Huge first step-- be proud of yourself!

 

[Finding my voice]

Well done.You have made huge process just by making the appointment.Read somewhere that if you visit the doctor he doesn't scold you for being sick.So why should dentists.I hope it goes well.

 

[Thisishard]

You will be fine fine. 8 years is not that bad. Heck I went 25 years between visits. I survived. I actually kind of like going to the dentist now. Well... Kinda. At least I am not shaking and nearly passing out, while my wife drives me to the dentist office. So I set the the bar pretty low. Good luck! You are doing the right thing.

 

[CammyM]

Thanks everyone! I just got home, today was X-rays and a cleaning. The hygienist was very nice and as gentle as possible, and stopped whenever I needed her to. The worst part was scraping the calculus off of the inside of my bottom teeth, but she used some sort of scraper that sprayed water and made it a bit better. Apparently I have the beginnings of gum disease which is pretty scary for me but hopefully with regular cleanings and better flossing techniques (and a waterpik) that can be stopped. The dentist was AMAZING. When he came in to talk to me, he was asking what is it that I'm afraid of in particular, what have my previous experiences been, and how we can eventually make me a non-phobic with communication and taking small steps. I go back in two days to get measured for a bite guard, and he's promised me that will be the only thing done that day. I will need two fillings eventually but we're working up to it. He is also prescribing me something to help calm me. I'm very grateful that I ended up with this dentist, he is the first one I've met that seems to truly care about how I'm feeling and wanting to help me long-term with my phobia.

 

[CammyM]

Now that the next appointment is getting close, I'm starting to be really nervous again. I'm hoping the halcion that he prescribed helps, and doesn't make things worse. Still, I'm not anywhere near as terrified as I was going in the first time. I'm hoping that getting measured for this bit guard is quick and painless!

 

[Tink]

Hi Cammy -

You are in good hands now, this dentist is doing all the right things and it sounds like he really cares and wants to help you. It gets easier over time as you build up trust with your dentist, I promise! Hang in there.

Here's to the next step in a series of good experiences x

 

[CammyM]

Thanks Tink!
I really like the way he spoke to me, and how gentle he was. I'm sure you're right that things will get better once I have more appointments with him and get to trust him more. Right now I really like him but there is still moderate distrust just because he's a "dentist". If he continues to be as kind as he was the first time, I think I'll be able to really start trusting him. Thanks for the support

 

[FearfulInMA]

He definitely sounds like a keeper! I took years of seeing my dentist to finally be able to get to appointments w/o losing sleep for weeks before. Everyone is different, but with the right dentist, you can get the treatment you need.

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Well done for going to the dentist. Even though I go every three months I am still terrifed of seeing a dentist.

 

[CammyM]

Ok, this morning was my measurements for a bite guard. It was done within just a few minutes, and was not really a big deal. I did take the halcion (just half the pill) before coming in and it WORKED. I had almost no fear going in, where's the previous appointment I'd been in tears and shaking before I even got in the door. I remember everything fine, just much more relaxed. After the imprint of my teeth was done, the dentist asked if I would like to hve a whitening done. He said that if I had small things done gradually, it would help me to not always associate the dentist with fear. It was pretty cheap and I was feeling confident from the halcion so I said ok. It was 20 minutes and a very easy thing, and I think he was right about having things like that done to lessen my fear. Plus my teeth look nicer now! I go back in a few days to pick up the bite gaurd!

 

[The1701]

Very well done! A good plan too - take it nice and slowly at your own pace.

 

[Finding my voice]

You are so lucky to have found what sounds like the perfect dentist.Good luck.

 

[CammyM]

Ok, I'm having a little bit of an issue now. One of the teeth right next to my front tooth feels like it's kind of loose. It's not visible, but i feel a little give if I push on it with my finger or tounge, and it doesn't feel really solid. I've been messing with it obsessively since noticing, and I think I might be making it worse. I need to really try not to wiggle it. Any change this will get better on its own? Ugh. I'll ask the dentist when I go back to get the bite guard. Im really trying not to freak out. I'm terrified of having an implant someday and I have dreams often of my teeth falling out. I don't even know if this is my own doing, maybe I convinced myself that the tooth was loose, then messed with it so much that it actally became loose. I feel crazy and am so annoyed I can't even tell anymore :/

 

[newbieindeatalfear]

Congrats for going to the dentist. Implants seem cool to me id rather have a couple then dentures just me

 

[CammyM]

I guess it's not "having" them that bothers me, it's the thought of the process of putting them in, and the cost as well ?