You can do this!!

[5981meg]

Just been to the dentist after 25 years of fear kept me away. I feared being ridiculed and shamed for not going and I was so embarrassed I thought it would be just awful.

It was fine!!!!!

The dentist was very understanding, calm and gentle, talked me through it all and I've just got to have a filling and some teeth cleaning. I can totally handle that.

If you haven't been in a year or 30, it doesn't matter. They won't judge you, they want to help you and the thought of it is always a million times worse than the reality. Trust me, I had worked myself up so much I havent eaten for 2 days. Totally unnecessary! I feel so relieved. Don't worry yourself to death, just take that first step and book an appointment. You will feel a million times better after I promise.

 

[letsconnect]

Hi @5981meg - so glad to hear that you had such a good experience after all those years of living in fear, that must be such a huge relief .

Congratulations !!!!

 

[5981meg]

Update for those who may have read my post and are still hesitant. After 25 years of hiding I went the dentist (who was lovely&kind -see my previous post)

I went to the hygienist last week. She was fantastic, she didn't judge. She took it slow and it honestly didn't hurt at all, it just felt a bit weird when she was polishing them but nothing horrible. I came out with squeaky clean teeth and advice on how to brush well and use floss properly.

Then today I've been and had 2 fillings. She injected my gum and aside from a sharp scratch as it went in (and even that was only literally a split second), it didn't hurt at all. The worst bit was not being able to swallow properly whilst she was fiddling about in my mouth but she kept stopping to let me and it honestly wasn't a big deal.

She had to take off an old filling to replace it and used the drill which previously I hated, but it was a lot quieter than I remembered and she had music on in the background so I just concentrated on that. Aside from that it was so easy. I was done within 20 mins and to be honest the biggest thing is that my mouth is now numb and it's annoying as I want my lunch!

If anyone is worrying about going, please just give it a try. I can't tell you how pleased and relieved I am that I've done it.

 

[MagicDuck12]

ive got two fillings coming up on wednesday 4th September and im distraught im spending all day in tears and panicking because i know that injection sensation you describe is far more painful than what you are describing, from all my experiences in the past.

I feel like im going to have everything on not to pass out on the day because it brings together 3 absolute terrible phobias for me

1) the initial needles and injection, i cant stand needles and the pain ive endured in the past. even if it is GENUINELY a little sting and GENUINELY lasts one second, ill still struggle to cope with one second of sting and a needle in my mouth

2) then ill have to listen to the drill sound and feel the vibration which will make me freak out and want to be sick (i know my own body and how it reacts)

3) the third thing im super worried about is the stuff that actually IS the filling, its all putties and compounds that i struggle with the texture of, much like the look and texture of certain foods. seeing this and knowing its going on my teeth will make me feel very very light headed. I passed out on an aircraft once because the person next to me had food with the wrong texture and i collapsed in the toilets, my heart was racing.

Please help me, im at a total loss and im desperate to cancel but i have to go through with it. Ive already been sick today thinking about it at work

please, lease help me, anyone, Meg, anyone

 

[5981meg]

I'm so sorry you are feeling this way. Can you have a chat to your dentist before your appointment date and discuss your fears? Have they said they need to use a needle as one of my two fillings didn't require any numbing at all so maybe you won't need it. Or do they have other options like numbing gel? It might also be worth speaking to your GP about your anxiety. They might be able to prescribe you something to help you on the day x

 

[MagicDuck12]

@5981meg i seem to have lost my private messaging option, id have sent you a private message.

Im terrified, ive always been terrified and its never gone away, its only ever gotten worse. I cant just "man up" and get through it i need all the help i can get. I shouldnt have agreed to the treatment i feel i should have gone to a private dentist with sedation.

I dont know what to say to the dentists, its everything about the day, i cant narrow it down to one thing its the pain of the injections, its seeing needles, its seeing the stuff they use like the gels and fillings, its the ear piercing sounds, the feelings, everything. Having things in my mouth prodding and sucking.

Ive cried for weeks on end, every cycle between appointments is just dreading the next one, then the next one. It never goes away. It never ends. it never gets easier. It all just feels so hopeless

 

[Natzuk]

@MagicDuck12 hay . Honestly if you don’t need to be numbed then you will be okay . If you don’t need to be numbed take your headphones to block the drilling out I have also had a filling without being numbed and I was totally fine ! Also I would love to have what you need , I’m sat here with a brown dead tooth with a mild jaw pain wondering if this is going too kill me because I am terrified of it and I know I need it out but will have to wait till October. I wish I could be there for you I’d come with you . I can always direct message my number if you want if you need support

 

[MagicDuck12]

@Natzuk thank you so so much for the kind words Natz, i know in comparison to what youve gone through ive had it so much easier and i should be grateful for how lucky ive been. It makes me feel so sad the pain youve gone through x

 

[letsconnect]

I shouldnt have agreed to the treatment i feel i should have gone to a private dentist with sedation.

@MagicDuck12 do you have any particular dentist in mind? You could always cancel and see a different dentist.

 

[Natzuk]

@MagicDuck12 you are allowed too feel the way you do ! X i just wish it was fillings I needed. I’m even scared of sedation but I have no choice really

 

[MagicDuck12]

@letsconnect ive looked at various options really. they dont have to be close to home as i would pay a premium to really feel safe, and to at least "feel" like im not going to be hurt/be sick/faint.

Ive been to private dentists in the past and to be honest, without the bells and whistles like sedation its made no difference. some of the worst injections ive had have been at the hands of private dentists.

The basic treatments i have with the NHS....no problem! getting my teeth cleaned is wonderful, i can handle that no problem at all because in my mind its just teeth cleaning, no drama

Check ups are a problem because im always waiting for the bad news. In fact in one check up, when i got the all clear i broke down uncontrollably, and when the dentist said you do realise your teeth are great right? i said yes......for now (what a silly reaction, but its how it gets me).

Im really considering all my options carefully and the overwhelming support ive been receiving here means a lot to me

 

[Natzuk]

@MagicDuck12 . I hope one day we both can get through this . My appointment is October but it’s on my mind so much and like I said if they say they will discuss having all my teeth out and dentures given then I think I will do it saves all the pain and thoughts I have constantly.
Also am not sure if you are aware but if you can not tolerate local anaesthetic with adrenaline ( which causes me palpitations, lightheaded, dizziness, fainting) then ask for non adrenaline ( they can not refuse! Some dentists may try talk you out if it but I know my own body and adrenaline is not for me ! My daughter passed out when they gave it her , they said it usually happens?? Like that’s normal? . When I had adrenaline I was shaking, I was confused, agitated it was horrible but when I had no adrenaline it was so much better

 

[letsconnect]

Ive been to private dentists in the past and to be honest, without the bells and whistles like sedation its made no difference. some of the worst injections ive had have been at the hands of private dentists.

Being private in and of itself doesn't say anything about someone's ability to give pain-free injections (or the quality of their dentistry for that matter).

You've probably already come across these pages:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

How to find a high-quality dentist

How do you know if a dentist really cares about the quality of their work? Here is what to look for and expect from a high-quality dentist.

www.dentalfearcentral.org

There are some tips there for finding a dentist who fits your needs, and for separating the wheat from the chaff.

I'm also wondering if you've considered getting some psychological support, given the distress this is causing you. They may also be able to help with finding a suitable dentist for you, ideally someone who also offers IV sedation.

 

[MagicDuck12]

@letsconnect these are very good resources thank you.

I do feel its a bit of a crap shoot....the place that hurt me the most had great reviews from people, some people said they were phobic and that they wouldnt dream of going anywhere else, when my normal dentist sent me there i thought this sounds ok ill give it a chance......and then it was a total disaster with an immensely painful injection and a dentist that was a very unsettling person...... the very bad injection, the lack of dialogue with me, the lack of empathy, the feeling that the procedure was going to be very fast.....just everything gave off really bad vibes despite the good reviews.

It just feels to me, and all my scared tiny little pea brain can comprehend, is that it all boils down to what happens on the day really. Whether you get a good experience, a bad one, a calm one, a painful one, you simply dont know whats coming until it comes. If a dentist hurts you with a needle, his previous 50 painless injections are all irrelevant. All manner of things contribute to that experience on the day, im not sure the past has *too* much bearing on it.

I do feel like after this appointment i will take a period off. I just want to take time off and not think about it at all. Im on here every single day begging for help from anyone who isnt already bored of me constantly reaching out, its just killed my soul. I want a long period of reflection where i can work out exactly what i want to do going forwards.

I think my future appointments MUST have the wand as a means of injection, and they MUST have IV sedation. Ideally, i think that needs to be paired with an anxiety medication beforehand, midazolam for example.

I need to find a way of eating and drinking pre appointment that doesnt include throwing up, thats an ongoing battle.

My brain cant comprehend why these problems are related to dentistry. When it comes to physiotherapy for example, ive been put through some absolutely gruelling treatments and yet come away from it feeling upbeat, never dreading the next one.....even when i know im going to be cracked, bent sideways, prodded, shocked, even sometimes injected.....i can somehow grasp my needle phobia and say...just get through this next few mins. Just. get. through. it.

Why thats never happened with dentistry mystifies me sadly