Terrified of calling the dentist's office

[snowbunny]

Newbie here

Forget going into the office, I'm just afraid of calling!

I have no insurance and I'm on my own, so all of my costs are going to be out of pocket. I have very little money to work with.

Unfortunately, my teeth have taken a turn for the worse. I haven't been to a dentist in over 10 years (13 I think). I'm 24 now. My wisdom teeth are poking out (all four) and I'm in pain most of the time. I can't tell whether I have cavities or whether the teeth are just sensitive, but on one side I can't chew very well. My front eye-teeth are shoved so far forward because of the crowding I feel like they're going to fall out.

Add that to the fact that on my last dentist's visit the dentist had my dad and a dental assistant hold me down so they could yank a baby tooth? Yes, I'm terrified.

I have anxiety problems already but the dental ones take the cake. I know I'll need so many fillings (probably) and I need these wisdom teeth removed. One of them is growing in sideways. I found a dentist in the area that has a sign out front--"We Cater to Cowards" so I figure that might be a good place to start looking.

If it weren't for having read topics on this forum, I don't think I'd have the courage to do this.

I need courage and some good vibrations from you guys!

 

[Karatewoman]

Hi Snowbunny, Least you are making the first step by knowning you need to go and see a dentist. I have read that someone on here went to see their Doctor first. They told them their fears and he gave them some Valium to take before going. If I was you I would try that it may help you to cope.

I too hate the Dentist I have to have all my teeth removed and Dentures fitted the fear of it is making me ill. You dont want this for yourself so please go your only young and the Dentist will be able to sort them out for you. If you leave it any longer you could end up like me.
Mine is gum disease my teeth believe it or not are all ok.

Pick that phone up and make that call. I am tomorrow it will be hard but I have to do it.

Good luck love.

 

[TerrifiedWoman]

Welcome Snowbunny! (Cute little bunny pic!) WHY OH WHY do dentist terrify children when yanking baby teeth!??! AGH!!! I just want to shake them!!! That's what started MY whole dental phobia to.

I can relate to the fear of even calling the dentist..been there. But I can tell you that things have improved since your last visit..and it sounds like the dentist you have in mind at least knows people DO get scared.

Making the call will be the hardest..but keep in mind they probably won't really do much on the first visit. Have a look in your mouth and maybe take xrays..which are painless. Many dentist are also willing to work out a payment plan as well.

Good luck! You can do it!

 

[K-Bird]

"We cater to cowards"---I love it...you wont even have to think-"is it really ok if I bring my blanket and pillow, my mp3 player, or to take valium ahead of
time", or having to explain it all to the dentist and feel like a big baby. All of the ones who cater to dental phobics should make it that clear!!

I was petrified to make that 1st appt too. And I havent gone yet--my appt. is next Monday--and yes I am petrified as my posts do tell. But I am REALLY
glad I made the appt. at least. Still terrified, but glad I made the appt.
I feel like I just accomplished something major and it feels good (in that regard)--doesnt feel so good that I am actually going to the dentist--but proud of myself for trying. I have really scoured this website and am using the support blogs and it is really, really helping to be able to voice my
fears and get nothing but wonderful support as feedback...

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Welcome Snowbunny! (Cute little bunny pic!) WHY OH WHY do dentist terrify children when yanking baby teeth!??! AGH!!! I just want to shake them!!

I totally agree.
There are many people who got traumatized by a brutal dental treatment. The only way to improve the dental fear is positive experiences, that is to say to find a a good gentle dentist, while the patient feels in safe hands, and step by step regain trust in the dentist.
It takes time and patients, but the improvement indeed comes.

 

[snowbunny]

I got some upsetting news today.
My mother's been battling cancer for the past two years and we thought it was in remission. Turns out there's a malignant growth in her lung and she has three surgeries ahead of her, including chemo and radiation again at the end.

However, it really gave me the kick in the butt I needed. I'm still waiting until I have enough money to pay for my initial consultation (I'm assuming it'll probably be around 100-150?) but if my mom can suffer through all the things she has to, I can get drugged up and face my dentist fears.

...Hopefully anyways >_>

 

[scaredycat54]

Poor you, and your mum. I'm sorry you've both had this awful news. Like you say, sometimes when there's a truly life-threatening or life-changing event on the horizon it helps put dental fear into a truer perspective for a while. So maybe this is the time to get to the dentist's, money permitting.

Like other people have said, phoning the dentist can be the hardest thing of all, and just as difficult as getting into the surgery, sometimes more so. I'm going through a similar thing myself at the moment, being forced to find a new dentist after thirty years, and I'm so scared a new dentist will take one look and want to do huge amounts of work that it's difficult even to take that first step.

Anyhow, I just wanted to say the best of luck to both of you.

 

[TerrifiedWoman]

snowbunny, so sorry about your Mom.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

So Sorry to hear about your mom.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

So Sorry to hear about your mom.

 

[Mikey Boy]

im am so srry to hear about ur mom we are all hear for yu

 

[snowbunny]

Thanks everyone for your support. It feels so great to know I can talk about these things here.

Good news with Mom--the cancerous nodule in her lung actually shrunk, but she still has surgeries and possible chemo again in the future.

In other good news, I talked with my coworker, whose husband is a dentist. I was SO embarrassed when I nearly started crying talking to her about how I need someone who is not going to be a jerk. She told me that he has a lot of patients that are terrified and that he's the most calm, understanding, and nonjudgmental dentist she's ever had and that most of his patients love him.

I'm going to call tomorrow.

Oddly enough, I got a call from my coworker. She said, "Tom (the dentist) was worried and wondered if you needed him to write you a script for anything. Like pain medicine or anything." I was shocked that someone would be so caring without knowing me! So hopefully my meeting with this guy goes well.

But it might have to wait a bit. I've been sick for the past week and apparently I have strep B so I have to go on antibiotics. Classes just started for this term too so everything is hectic.