Newbie - had my first visit but need advice

[pickles]

Right firstly some background, I'm 29, female and am scared of the dentist. I was fine when I was younger but do remember having teeth taken out when I was about 6 and my dad fainting and being scared. My mum had all her teeth removed when she was 18 as back then they were paid per tooth and they out her out and took the lot! I have bad teeth anyway as I had a huge amount of antibiotics as a child for my tonsils which my previous dentist said weakened my teeth.

I didn't go from the age of 14 until I was 21 after the birth of my first child and was told I need a couple of teeth removed. I never went back for my appointment.

I then suffered toothache on and off for a few years and my teeth slowly begain to crumble away.

I decided to see a different dentist 4 years ago who as I couldn't even get in the chair referred me to hospital. He wanted me to have a GA and have all the bad teeth taken out and then get over my fear by visiting with hopefully no work needing doing.

I went to the hospital and was talked into working through my fear, I managed several fillings but when it came to having a tooth taken out I panicked and didn't go back.

Four years on and after experiencing more pain and an abcess over Easter I decided I must do something. My teeth now look awful, the back ones are pretty much non existant, I can't eat foods I like, brushing is a nightmare as there are so many missing bits and holes.

Anyway 2 weeks ago after reading on here I made an appointment, it was yesterday. I got there on time but they were running late so I started to worry. I made it in to the dentists room and immediately started to cry. The lady was really nice and said she would just look with a mirror so I got on the chair. She began calling out her numbers which were all 6, 7 and 8's (don't know what that means but guessing not good!) except for a few at the front. I asked if she would refer me to hospital and she said no! She wants me to try and let them treat me. She said they will take it slowly and to go next time (2 weeks) for a clean and then an injection with no work done and then extractions and finally fillings as I hate the noise of any of the equipment.

I came out feeling ok and saw the recptionist who made my next appointment but it is with a different dentist so I feel like I am starting all over again. I really don't think I can do it, I just want to go and have them all out in one go. I am shaking all the time and having nightmares, its affecting my relationship with the children as I am so upset and snappy all the time. I just can't cope like this anymore.

I know if I don't get treatment they are going to get worse so I have to do something but have no idea how to get over my fears. I am scared of the actual dentist, the smell, all the equipment, the injection (although I can just about handle that). Please help!

 

[FinnishGirl]

Your dentist sounds extremely good. This is a great chance to get rid of your fear. I believe you can do it!

And to this forum!

 

[pickles]

I have just phoned the dentist (without crying for once! ) and requested that my appointment is changed to the dentist I saw yesterday which has made me feel a hundred times better, at least she knows what to expect when I burst into tears!

Thanks for the welcome

 

[brit]

Pickles and congratulations. I was really pleased for you until you said the appt was to be with someone else...why? But no matter..you have changed it back and as you say, it will be fine..great that they want to take it slowly for you without your having to ask for this approach. One thought was, was the second appt with the hygienist because it was for a clean?

Have a browse here re the Common Fears, injections can be totally painless btw doing just an injection is an approach we suggest for needle phobics..so as not to have the added stress of treatment...great they have suggested this.
Is it an NHS dentist? If so, great again, they are sadly lacking on our Dentistfinder.

 

[pickles]

Thanks, yes it is an NHS dentist and they are currently taking on new patients. I think the reason it was with someone else is that the receptionist made the appointment, it wasn't with the dental hygienist although there is one but there are about 8 dentists at the practice altogether.

 

[brit]

Thanks, yes it is an NHS dentist and they are currently taking on new patients. I think the reason it was with someone else is that the receptionist made the appointment, it wasn't with the dental hygienist although there is one but there are about 8 dentists at the practice altogether.

Definitely stick to the same one for as long as you can....what a dippy receptionist, what was she thinking...I would have thought you are supposed to see the same dentist who prescribes the course of treatment not least because two different dentists might disagree about what is needed anyway so they can't really prescribe for each other.

 

[letsconnect]

Hi pickles ,

great to hear you managed to call them and change to the dentist you liked !! Just wanted to put your mind to rest on one of the things you mentioned:

She began calling out her numbers which were all 6, 7 and 8's (don't know what that means but guessing not good!) except for a few at the front.

Most likely, this was simply the tooth numbering system she used - 8 is the last tooth in each quadrant, 7 is the one in front of that, etc. - with 1 being the very front tooth in each quadrant. This would be the most common tooth numbering system in the UK.

Congratulations for finding the courage to tackle this !!

 

[Geraint]

Hello Pickles, well done for taking the first step, and for phoning the receptionist to ask if you could see the first dentist you saw. I also disslike the sound of the drill like you. I always take a cd walkman / mp3 player with me with a relaxation cd I find this drowns out the noise and helps me relax. Let us know how you get on.

 

[pickles]

Time is now getting nearer to me going back for my cleaning (next Wednesday) and I am panicking! I can't sleep, I am having nightmares, I am crying myself to sleep as I imagine I can feel them extracting teeth. I really feel as though I am going mad.

I am so scared and unsure of how I am going to get through this. I just feel as though I can't do it. Being rational has totally gone out of the window and everyday that goes by I am getting more and more nervous.

 

[Stress Doc]

Hello Pickles:

Sorry to hear of your dental fear. It can rob quality of life quickly. The good news is your do not need to suffer without help. I am an anxiety specialist that has started working with dental phobia. I also had this condition and understand where you are coming from. PM me if you like and we can chat.

Blessings

 

[Idratherdie]

I know exactly how you're feeling, but do your best to see the dentist for the cleaning and you'll feel wonderful at the end of the appointment! I can't wait to hear how everything goes so make sure you report back here after the cleaning.