TERRIFIED OF WHAT TREATMENT I MIGHT NEED

[Nickymvs]

I have developed pain over the last 2-3 days. I noticed after eating I had my hand against my cheek for a couple days. This morning I ate cereal and afterwards it was throbbing. Very sore. I took nurofen and it calmed it down after about 5 minutes of laying on my cheek. I wear Vivera retainers and at lunchtime I had some cake and a hot chocolate with mum but kept the retainer in - not really any discomfort. Tonight I had ramen noodles and after every 2-3 mouthfuls I had to swig some cold water to calm the pain. It's not a sharp pain but like a throbbing style ache. Anyway, left there and I was in pain. Got back to the car and after five minutes of laying on my cheek (and taking some more nurofen) it went away. It's Saturday now and the online booking has an appointment with my trusted dentist for Thursday morning. I have left a voicemail with the dentist asking for an emergency appointment with my trusted dentist only. He's worked so hard with me over the years and from going from panic attacks and having to go home before a check up because I had vomited in anxiety, to having my teeth straightened and IPR and even a small surface filling without anaesthetic (entirely my choice), plus I've had fillings between the teeth since then, I know I've come a long way. I go every six months for check ups religiously and hygienist every three months without fail. Yet this has happened. I have a lot of fillings in my mouth and I previously had impacted wisdom teeth which were removed 21 years ago. I know those back molars have a couple of deep fillings in them. I'm TERRIFIED of root canal and wonder if that's what I might need now. I hear horror stories of people still feeling things and I've had one filling on the other side of the mouth that, despite three injections, I could still feel - for whatever reason it was a hot tooth. I'm afraid that because of the pain I'm in now that drilling and prodding it is going to make it so aggravated. I will go because I know dental pain is a one way street but I am looking for some kind of understanding of:
Why do root canals have such a bad reputation
What can I expect from the procedure
Should I be scared
Is there anything else it could be

I fully appreciate without an examination it's hard to tell but I have made the error of Googling and I've terrified myself to the point that I've been in tears and hyperventilating and at 43 years old had to call my mum tonight to calm myself down. I am neurodivergent and struggle with overwhelm and sensory overload.

 

[Gordon]

Why do root canals have such a bad reputation

Lazy TV scriptwriters? It seems to be a US thing, I've not noticed it so much in this country. I've had 3 root canals done to me, apart from taking a while and being pretty boring for the patient, I can't say they were anything like as bad as they're made out to be. Closest sensation I would say is it's a bit like getting your fingernails filed.

What can I expect from the procedure

Depends what is causing the pain, so kind of hard to answer. First thing would be to diagnose the problem.

Should I be scared

I don't think so, but I'm not you.

Is there anything else it could be

Yes, but a dying pulp would probably be most likely.