Ok my turn to tell my story Ii guess

[Nanna2Five]

Hi,

I found this forum last week while surfing & trying to scare my self about my upcoming extraction. LOL Well that what my daughter says I am doing.

I am 50 and to say I am scared of the dentist is like saying the ocean has a little water in it.

I am really not sure what part scares me. It can't be the pain because nothing can hurt as bad as the toothaches I have had. My father used to threaten me with making me go to the dentist if i misbehaved. Silly at my age to let that get to me, But I think it stuck some how. I suffer from severe panic attacks, not just because of the dentist. But that's the worst times.

My teeth or what s left of them are horrible, I can sit here and say it is because I have no job, no insurance, but I have had very good dental insurance in the past and never used it. So thats not it.

I found a local place that helps people with no insurance. I had my first appt with them 5 weeks ago I got thru that one pretty well. X rays & a game plan. My first appt was for 2 extractions...... Well I canceled that appt. Fast forward 4 weeks and my lower molar gets BAD infected! I ended up in the ER with BP of 215/110 and a bad infection. SO I made an appt at dentist for the 23rd (2 days ago) The dentist told me they will not pull it if my BP is way high due to risks. So part of me kept thinking... ok i will go in & they will just send me home SO I go in, after my daughters not letting me cancel. Believe me I tried! My BP was 169/94. Dental asst. said nope won't touch it. Dentist says yes I will she needs it out!! So panic sets in! Then i find it is not her doing it, it is the new guy 1 year out of Dental school. More panic, ( He was amazingly nice to me!!!) I Started to cry a few times, he paused & waited. Letting me know it will all be ok. I got thru the shots. (The taste was worse than the shots) Only hurt a little bit really! The Dental asst was a bi*ch! I really did not like her. But the Dentist was so sweet. he made it a lot easier. It was a 2nd molar on the lower right. Worst part was the pressure. Was like a lot of pressing. I guess from using tools to loosen it from the bone. He got it out in one piece. the main Dentist looked at the tooth & the hole to be sure it was all out. 45 seconds after hes done, We get a big earthquake. I am in Virginia, being from California I am not scared of them at all! Everyone else freaked out, I was calm. They laughed saying I was so calm during that but so scared of my tooth. Does seem funny now. Thank God it did not hit 2 minutes earlier!

As for the aftermath, EASY! I have been a little sore. NOTHING like a toothache! Worst part is the taste form all the infection & blood. But its way better today ( 2 days later)

I have 9 more extractions to do, 1 on bottom, 8 on top And 8 bottom teeth that need fillings.

When i go back I am going to take xanax first. I was so scared & panicked I know I made it worse on myself.

I am really scared of getting the 2 top molars pulled! He was pushing down so hard I was sure he would go thru my jaw. SO the top scares me so bad! I am afraid it will go thru my face! Please tell me top is easier than bottom!!!

Anyway thank you for listening to my rant. No one in the world can be more scared of the dentist than me! So if I can do this any of you can!

 

[Root6dee6]

Good on you! I hope I can be just as brave during my next consultation. I freaked out with JUST a talk!!

 

[mghstl]

Ayear ago, I was kinda in your shoes (OK, I'm 53, not 50!!!).
This forum saved my life.
You have done a GREAT thing, obviously with a great sense of humor.
So many folks here will relate to your story. There are some amazing Journals from fellow 50-something people. Read, if you can, and stay with us.
Congrats, and good luck in the future.
(P.S....my upper extraction was no better/worse than my lowers; easier than I ever imagined! And, yes, pre-appt. Rx can really help relax you).

 

[Nanna2Five]

Thank you for your replies! I have been reading a lot on this forum. I feel so silly being so upset. I had been in such horrible pain, And now less than 3 days after I feel SO MUCH BETTER! Gums are a little sore but no pain! Have not even taken tylenol since the night I had it taken out!

 

[brit]

Congrats I would think with the top that gravity is on your side . You did great.

 

[RP]

Actually, I think basic anatomy makes the top easier- there is a lot less upper jaw bone, works against you when you need implants as the sinuses drop down. The xanax should work nicely and you'll already be less anxious knowing your dentist can do this painlessly!

rp