Not sure what to expect + Scared

[Flbug]

To start with, here's a little back ground. I'm 21, and try to take care of my teeth. However, I grew up with my mom and she never really pushed the need for dental hygiene and mostly never took me to the dentist. I had a very bad experience as a child (being held down + painful experience + separated from mom) and since then, I've been pretty terrified and never went to the dentist again. (stupid I know)

Flash forward to June and I started getting an extreme toothache in my first bottom right molar. This tooth was broken virtually in half when I was a child, and it's curious because the baby tooth that was before it broke in the same way as well, which was pulled. (perhaps some damage was caused to the adult tooth when they pulled it?) I went to my doctor and was given antibiotics before making the jump and seeing a new dentist. I was terrified but tired of being in constant pain and virtually exhausted. They did a free exam and x-rays and i was honestly surprised that my mouth wasn't terrible, after not really caring for my teeth in such a long time and never going to the dentist. I got it pulled (which was terrifying but bearable as I was given gas) and found I had 4 cavities to fill plus some deep pockets up to 5 mm so they recommended I get a deep cleaning before the cavities getting filled.

Flash forward to a week ago when I was making my appointment. They told me something about a deep cleaning, and my care sheet mentioned something called prophylaxis. When I called I asked about sedation or anything that might impair my driving, and they told me it was only a gingivitis treatment and that they did not numb you up for it.

So my appointment is tomorrow, and I'm terrified. It doesn't help that I don't know what to expect either, as I've never even had a routine cleaning. So what is a gingivitis treatment? Does it hurt? I'm somewhat relieved about not getting shots (I think) because the ones I got during my tooth extraction were mind-numbingly painful. I'm not afraid of needles, I have piercings and tattoos, but those injections hurt like a wasp sting from hell (like a marble being ripped into a pinhole is what it felt like). So what should I expect during the procedure? Can I request a numbing cream if it's uncomfortable?

 

[Dg6300]

Yes, they gave me a numbing cream and it went fine.

Honestly, I think you’ll have some uncomfortable moments, but I think you’re going to do great.

 

[Flbug]

Yes, they gave me a numbing cream and it went fine.

Honestly, I think you’ll have some uncomfortable moments, but I think you’re going to do great.

Thanks for the reply! What did they do during the procedure? How long did it take?

 

[geos]

From what I remember, deep cleaning is a bit similar to when they scale your teeth during a regular cleaning appointment, but they go deeper under the gums, which would hit more sensitive parts of the teeth. When I had mine they only used a numbing cream. I believe that with the newer technology they use it's becoming less uncomfortable.

Regarding the shot, do know that the freezing required for tooth extraction is much different then for most other dental treatment you require. If you do end up needing a shot, simply tell them how you felt last time, they should be able to adjust so that it's pain free for you.

 

[Enarete]

Hi Fibug,

first of all well done on trying to take care of your teeth and making it to a dentist, despite your past experiences.
Prophylaxis means simply a treatment to prevent problems before they even appear, which in dentistry is a cleaning. The purpose of a cleaning is to get rid of the bacteria in your mouth that could cause problems. A cleaning will also get rid of some problems you might already be having with your gums. You can find details about what to expect during a cleaning here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/scale-and-polish/
Gingivitis is a small inflammation of your gums that can easily be reversed with a help of... you guess it.. a cleaning Deep cleaning is, as geos suggests a cleaning that goes deeper in the pockets an it will help your gums to get healthy again. You can find some information about it here: https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/faq/deep-cleaning/

Now to your worry about pain. It is important to keep in mind, that it is your right to request numbing cream or any other sort of anesthesia AT ANY TIME. That's how modern dentistry works and you do not have to endure anything. There are numbing gels, sprays and other options. There are even people who get sedation or laughing gas for cleanings if they feel like not being able to cope (with the stress, not with the pain as there should be no pain). A second thing to remember is that you are a customer and your dental team is supposed to give you all information you need to understand the procedure and what to expect. After all, it is your health and you are the one who decides what your dental tam is allowed to do and what not.

Putting it together, make sure to have a good chat with your dental hygienist before the procedure starts. Let her explain to you what will happen and how it will feel, ask her about numbing gel and arrange a stop signal.

May all go well for you today and may you be surpirsed about how easily things went.
All the best wishes and let us know how it went!