Newbie, where do I start, please help me

[bricktop]

Hello everyone. I am 40 yo man who has afear, perhaps the worst fear of the dentist that anyone has ever heard of. Ihad some very bad experiences when I was younger which totally destroyed myfaith. in the past 20 years, I can count on one hand the amount of times I havebeen.

I don’t know if my fear is normal, butthere is nothing specific I can say, “it’s because of that”!
For example, the light above the chair, thesmell, the sounds, the plastic on the bottom of the chair, the numbers theycall out, the word occlusal.

In the past, I have been given IV just forcleanings. The last time I went back to the same place (around 2 years ago),they told me that the NHS have changed the formulae of the IV but I will stillbe knocked out and will be fine. I reluctantly went through with it. Apparently,they had to stop because I was clawing at the nurse and screaming (I don’t rememberany of this). They sent me home with an unfinished procedure, and about 2 hoursafter getting home and falling asleep, I was in so much pain, I had to call anambulance who injected me with morphine and gave me CoCodamol. I also sufferwith something called trigeminal neuralgia, which kicks off a lot due to theissues with my teeth and gums.

Needless to say, this has since put me offdoing anything about my teeth and has left me where I am today.

So present day, I am waking up every nightin agony with my teeth, my gums have severe gingivitis, I grind my teeth allthe time, most of my teeth are very loose due to the receding gums and I am nowat the stage where I know I HAVE to go and get this sorted, but I am terrifiedof what a new dentist might say (and I have no idea where to go to find a goodone), I am so low due to the pain I am going through, popping Ibuprofen andparacetamol every 2 hours each.

The pain is so bad, but I am so lost…..Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[glitterfairy]

Ask your dr or dentist to refer you to have all your treatment done at once in hospital under general anaesthetic (I know the nhs will do it as a family member of mine had it done)...then once you have gotten that out of the way you could try visiting the dentist and explain to them your fears and see if theres anything they can do to help you when you next have your check ups...

Hello everyone. I am 40 yo man who has afear, perhaps the worst fear of the dentist that anyone has ever heard of. Ihad some very bad experiences when I was younger which totally destroyed myfaith. in the past 20 years, I can count on one hand the amount of times I havebeen.

I don’t know if my fear is normal, butthere is nothing specific I can say, “it’s because of that”!
For example, the light above the chair, thesmell, the sounds, the plastic on the bottom of the chair, the numbers theycall out, the word occlusal.

In the past, I have been given IV just forcleanings. The last time I went back to the same place (around 2 years ago),they told me that the NHS have changed the formulae of the IV but I will stillbe knocked out and will be fine. I reluctantly went through with it. Apparently,they had to stop because I was clawing at the nurse and screaming (I don’t rememberany of this). They sent me home with an unfinished procedure, and about 2 hoursafter getting home and falling asleep, I was in so much pain, I had to call anambulance who injected me with morphine and gave me CoCodamol. I also sufferwith something called trigeminal neuralgia, which kicks off a lot due to theissues with my teeth and gums.

Needless to say, this has since put me offdoing anything about my teeth and has left me where I am today.

So present day, I am waking up every nightin agony with my teeth, my gums have severe gingivitis, I grind my teeth allthe time, most of my teeth are very loose due to the receding gums and I am nowat the stage where I know I HAVE to go and get this sorted, but I am terrifiedof what a new dentist might say (and I have no idea where to go to find a goodone), I am so low due to the pain I am going through, popping Ibuprofen andparacetamol every 2 hours each.

The pain is so bad, but I am so lost…..Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

Sorry to read about your extremely difficult situation. I truly hope that in the longer run you will eventually find a dentist whom you feel trustful enough and comfortable (not the most suitable word, I know) enough and you will be able to be treated without any sedation and drugs.

And now what can you do right now: Can you imagine yourself going to a dental practice, letting a dentist looking in your mouth (just with the small mirror) and making an X-ray? If the pain is due to a dental problem, a prescription for antibiotics should provide some remedy.

 

[bricktop]

Hi,

Sorry to read about your extremely difficult situation. I truly hope that in the longer run you will eventually find a dentist whom you feel trustful enough and comfortable (not the most suitable word, I know) enough and you will be able to be treated without any sedation and drugs.

And now what can you do right now: Can you imagine yourself going to a dental practice, letting a dentist looking in your mouth (just with the small mirror) and making an X-ray? If the pain is due to a dental problem, a prescription for antibiotics should provide some remedy.

Very unlikely, I find it so hard even going into the room.....

 

[shamrockerin]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You don't have to feel bad here, or wonder if it's 'normal' because everyone here has some sort of fear or anxiety in dental situations.

I know it can be so overwhelming when you're first starting out; it was only a couple years ago that I returned to dentistry after 12 years (due to some bad experiences that chased me off).

One suggestion I have in regard to letting someone look in your mouth w/ a little mirror is to do it yourself first. I purchased a little dental mirror online (it was inexpensive) and just looked at my teeth myself w/ it in the bathroom mirror a few times. It kind of took away the fear of getting a 'nasty surprise' because I'd already seen the teeth myself.

Obviously you can't diagnose yourself, but it made me feel a little more in control.

 

[glitterfairy]

Hi, and welcome to the forum.

You don't have to feel bad here, or wonder if it's 'normal' because everyone here has some sort of fear or anxiety in dental situations.

I know it can be so overwhelming when you're first starting out; it was only a couple years ago that I returned to dentistry after 12 years (due to some bad experiences that chased me off).

One suggestion I have in regard to letting someone look in your mouth w/ a little mirror is to do it yourself first. I purchased a little dental mirror online (it was inexpensive) and just looked at my teeth myself w/ it in the bathroom mirror a few times. It kind of took away the fear of getting a 'nasty surprise' because I'd already seen the teeth myself.

Obviously you can't diagnose yourself, but it made me feel a little more in control.

That's a good idea about those little dental mirror things...if bricktop lives in the UK then shops like Superdrug sell those little kits with dental mirrors etc

 

[bricktop]

Thanks guys, I am in the UK. The issue i have (amongst many others lol) is that I cant even look at my teeth in a normal bathroom mirror as im scared of what I will see.

I dont think ive looked in the mirror for about 2 years as I am so ashamed of my teeth. I was wide awake at 4am again from the pain. I am taking Paramol at night and Ibu and Paracet during the day on a 2 hour rotating shift.

It is becuase of this, that I know I have to do something. If or should I say, when I go to the dentist, do I just tell them that I want to be put out completely for any and all work? Will they respect that? I know they dont put people under a general lightly and will edge me towards being sedated as i was before, but due to my last awful experiance, I just cant trust that the same thing wont happen again.....

 

[Spike 1969]

Thanks guys, I am in the UK. The issue i have (amongst many others lol) is that I cant even look at my teeth in a normal bathroom mirror as im scared of what I will see.

I dont think ive looked in the mirror for about 2 years as I am so ashamed of my teeth. I was wide awake at 4am again from the pain. I am taking Paramol at night and Ibu and Paracet during the day on a 2 hour rotating shift.

It is becuase of this, that I know I have to do something. If or should I say, when I go to the dentist, do I just tell them that I want to be put out completely for any and all work? Will they respect that? I know they dont put people under a general lightly and will edge me towards being sedated as i was before, but due to my last awful experiance, I just cant trust that the same thing wont happen again.....

Hi there and

Sorry to hear you are having these issues; for many here it's a very big thing to even making never mind going to an appointment so well done!

There could be a few options open to you depending on your situation; which might be as follows:

1. You can ask for a referral to a Dental Hospital to have the work done under a General Anaesthetic.

2. If you are able to pay, you could look for a dentist that is Dental Phobia Certified (these dentists specialise in working with you to get any work done by using a variety of techniques).

3. You could find an understanding NHS Dentist who will work with you (this might require some perseverance and travel to find the right one).

 

[bricktop]

SO, I have taken the first step, I have made an enquiry at a DP registered dentist. I have no choice, I can't keep popping pain killers as they can't be doing my body much good and if I stop, the pain is just silly and becoming unbearable.

I have asked what they do re sending people to hospital but their webpage seems really good. It looks like they offer implants etc, so who knows, maybe they can help me. I hope to god they can as I really need to get myself sorted out. Making an appointment is one thing, getting in the car and into the surgery is something else....

 

[Spike 1969]

Excellent, well done you

Even making that that first appointment is a HUGE step, much respect

I was very much in a similar situation when I decided to leave my old practice (due to my dentist retiring and selling his practice to people that in my opinion did me more harm than good), it was a leap into the unknown and it terrified me but 12 months down the line I'm glad I did as my new dentist is amazing! I'm now agreeing to Root Canals, Crowns and an Implant, something that would have had me running for the hills at the old place!!

 

[bricktop]

Thanks Spike,

Got an appointment on Tuesday 4th, this DP one only works on a tuesday (lucky him) and I cant make next week. So it looks like i will have to deal with this pain until then (grrr). Oh well, I had better stock up on the ibupro and Paracet.....unless anyone else has any other meds that I could take? I know the Paracet doesnt do much harm to my body, but I am reluctant to keep taking these every 4 hours.

Does anyone know if im ok to take these every single 2 hour intervalls? EG today, I took Ibupro at 4am, Para at 6am, Ibupro at 8am, Para at 10am and so on.....Will I be ok? If I miss some or stop taking them, the pain comes back and I just cant concentrate on anything esle. These pills do keep the pain at bay (for the most part) and make it bearable.....any advice, is, as always, greatly taken.

I do have a perscription of Co dhydramol at home as i suffer with Trigeminal Neuralgia, but these really make me sleepy and mess up my waterworks (and other things sorry if TMI)

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm so sorry you're in the situation, but you've taken a HUGE first step. I don't have time for a full response now, but did want to respond to your question about medications. I'm in the U.S., but I think by paracet you mean paracetamol. I believe we call this acetaminophen in the U.S. If I am correct about this, you need to be VERY careful as this medication can cause serious liver damage if too much is taken. In the U.S. the maximum daily dose is recommended to be 3000mg (3g). Also, if you end up taking the cohydromal (sp) or other narcotic pain medication this may also contain paracetamol so please be sure to check that with a pharmacist (chemists in the UK?).

For non-medication relief you can try an ice pack, topical oral analgesics, or clove oil.

Best of luck to you!

 

[bricktop]

I'm so sorry you're in the situation, but you've taken a HUGE first step. I don't have time for a full response now, but did want to respond to your question about medications. I'm in the U.S., but I think by paracet you mean paracetamol. I believe we call this acetaminophen in the U.S. If I am correct about this, you need to be VERY careful as this medication can cause serious liver damage if too much is taken. In the U.S. the maximum daily dose is recommended to be 3000mg (3g). Also, if you end up taking the cohydromal (sp) or other narcotic pain medication this may also contain paracetamol so please be sure to check that with a pharmacist (chemists in the UK?).

For non-medication relief you can try an ice pack, topical oral analgesics, or clove oil.

Best of luck to you!

Hi Thanks for the reply, yes the codine does contain paracetamol so i wouldnt take that. I was always under the impression that the para was ok to take, but 3000g is about the daily does if it do it as above (each pill is 500g as far as i know),

If i do take the codine, it will be at night as it makes me sleepy anyway but i would only do it as a last resort (hate that stufF).

The Ibu and para combo does keep the pain at bay.....that being said, I have just eaten and it is now hurting again despite the ibu not being due until 2pm and having only taken the para at 12:30....maybe the para isnt as effective so might not bother with it.....

EDIT - I just checked and its 4000g (or 8 500g pills) in one day so i think im ok. I wont be able to take anymore past my 6:30 dose, so will miss that one and take some more before bed....Oh the joys. This pain is really awful

 

[FearfulInMA]

4000mg daily is higher than what is recommended here in the U.S. 4000mg used to be the max recommended here, but it was lowered to 3000mg because of potential damage to the liver. The problem with the liver damage caused by paracetamol is that, by the time a person shows symptoms, it can too late to reverse the damage and the damage can be potentially fatal. I'm not saying this to scare you, but just wanted to make sure you understand that paracetamol is not 'harmless' like many people think.

 

[bricktop]

Thats fair enough comment and I appreciate it.

I am going to stop the para until later tonight now but I will keep taking the Ibu (next one at 4:30 now), I just hope they keep doing thier job and keep the pain at bay for that long....something tells me they wont.

 

[FearfulInMA]

If it gets really bad, can you go to the hospital for better pain medications? In the U.S., we could go to the emergency department (not a great system... So I'm guessing there is something better in the UK).

 

[bricktop]

If it gets really bad, can you go to the hospital for better pain medications? In the U.S., we could go to the emergency department (not a great system... So I'm guessing there is something better in the UK).

Yea we have the accident and emergency, but Its the NHS so wouldnt fancy waiting there for 6 hours waiting to be seen for a toothache (I think I would feel like a bit of a timewaster).

I will persist with the Ibu and later take some Paramol (paracet and Codine)....then maybe half a jug of Jack daniels....what? It might help lol

 

[Spike 1969]

Hi Bricktop

Regarding Pain relief, another good option would be to get advice from your local Pharmacist, they will be able to advise you as to max recommended doses and also possibly recommend other medication that you could try.

I think there are other topical remedies you can try like Clove oil as suggested by Fearful.

If the pain gets too much and you are desperate, you could dial 111 and they will give you the number of an emergency dental clinic, they are likely to take a look and give you antibiotics if it's an infection as that will often tide you over, only way to find out would be To go if the pain is too much to bear. I've had that pain and it's awful.

hope you can get sorted soon, you are definitely heading in the right direction making your appointment ?