Really hoping someone can help/reassure/talk me down... I am terrified of the dentist.
A few years ago I broke a tooth which had already been filled. (2nd molar, top right, if that makes a difference?) I had a temp filling put on, which in fact lasted 3 years; as the tooth was stable and not causing me any issues, my dentist at the time adopted a 'let sleeping dogs lie' approach (had regular check ups / X rays etc) About a year ago, the temp filling came away. A further temporary patch was put on, because I was about to go on holiday, but my dentist warned me that over the longer term I was looking at a root canal and crown as there was so little tooth left. I was back at the dentist 3 months later after an episode of excruciating pain which turned out to be nerve-related (no infection). The pain was bad enough I wasn't sleeping, but literally stopped like a tap being turned off one morning. Since then, no probs, although as I say I know the writing is on the wall over the long term. The dentist thinks the tooth is dead.
Anyway, about 4 weeks ago one the right side of my face swelled up, and I had a couple of days of throbbing pain. This coincided with my DS (2) head butting me on that side of my head (he threw his head backward whilst on my lap iykwim). The pain and swelling has gone, but I have had this tender lump on my gum right above the 'bad' tooth ever since. I'm thinking not an abscess as I feel otherwise fine, and unless I poke the lump it doesn't hurt. But am scaring myself silly with thoughts of oral cancer, 'silent' abscesses etc etc.
Can anyone help/comment? I have an appointment with my dentist this week, but am scared witless at the best of times, and have spent too much time on Dr Google...
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General health
Calling dentists - shitting myself
ThenBellaDidSomethingVeryKind · 06/06/2016 16:37
I'm not a dentist FYI , I'd think it's to do with the headbutt and as you've never had it sorted it will be a recurring problem . I'm sure you've nothing to worry about . I had a tooth that would play up every six months or so .. I ended up having it out ( in front of all my kids ..
) good luck and hope you get it sorted
I am being a terrible wuss about the whole thing, am terrified of root canal treatment - everyone I've mentioned it to does this noise which I assume indicates horrendous agonising pain - but am also scared shitless about the alternatives. I used to be fine re the dentist, not anymore 
Thank you bluejasmin 
Hope you are right
Different situation, but I was on here recently desperately trying to find a way to have four broken molars, including one possible root canal, fixed and wanting to find a specialist NHS dentist that deals with phobic patients.
As it turned out, I found out I had to re-register at my old dentist's surgery to get the referral to the specialist centre. Went to my first appointment and the dentist was so lovely that I decided to give it a try having the work done there.
Turns out it was nowhere near as bad as I thought, just two small fixes on one side, a filling replacement where I had assumed I needed a root canal and the crown putting on top of a root canal I had done years ago, but never went back to have finished. That still seemed like a lot of dental work to me and I was still really scared, but agreed to give it a try.
Had my first appointment and he did the first two easy fixes. As he was drilling into old filling and just filing the edge of the tooth for repair I managed to do the whole thing with no anaesthetic at all (I have problems with local anaesthetics working). It only took 15 minutes and although a little uncomfortable (not the tooth itself, more having my mouth open, saliva swabs etc, in fact the worst bit was when the nurse got the suction thingy stuck to my lip! 
) there was absolutely no pain.
I have an appointment to go back and have the other two teeth fixed next week and am obviously nervous, but no longer terrified. If you'd asked me a couple of months ago if I'd have had all this done I'd have laughed, but the good appointment has reminded me that when I had my root canal done (under my maternity cert 7 years ago) the same dentist was awesome, there was absolutely no pain, he kept my anaesthetic topped up all the time and was very sympathetic, stopping when/if I needed to (he gave me a hand signal for if I wanted him to stop).
I feel so stupid for not going back and getting the crown done at the time now, but my mat cert ran out and as I had a temporary filling on it that lasted until last year, I convinced myself I could get away with it and we couldn't afford it anyway.
I am so glad I went back and fully intend to stay on top of it with regular appointments from now on - and I speak as someone who went first 17 then 7 years between visiting the dentist.
The first thing you need to do is book a registration appointment. They should have a look at what needs doing, probably take a couple of x-rays and talk you through a treatment plan and the costs involved. You absolutely do not have to commit to anything at that point. You can go home and think about it or try another couple of dentists until you find one you feel comfortable with.
Honestly, you couldn't be more scared than I was about it all and I swear my root canal was painless and also such a relief after having so much pain in that tooth.
Moosemama, what a lovely reply, and thank you for taking the time to post It's good to hear a positive root canal story (never thought I'd write that in a sentence!)
Ah, ok. Happy to have a local / sedation / aaaaaaalllll the drugs for a root canal. Dunno re the wisdom teeth thing. As I say, at the time was told because they were upper I automatically needed GA to protect my airway... Weird.
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