Surgical extraction and dentist phobia - support please!

[Dancer12345]

Have got to have a surgical extraction as my tooth is badly broken. I have a massive dentist phobia so am obviously very worrrid about this.

Need some reassurance please, on the verge of tears. I told the dentist I have a phobia and he didn’t even acknowledge that and just told me to sit down. I know it’s only a tooth and that’s nothing compared to what some people go through, but fear is horrible!

Can you ask for the tooth to be extracted under sedation? That's done pretty commonly.

I don’t know if they do it at my dentists. Do they all offer it?

I had a severe dental phobia for many years. A few months back I spent ages on the NHS website looking at dentists in my area but also in the surrounding areas too, I was willing to travel if I could find someone sympathetic.
Eventually I did find someone with really good reviews and I've been going there ever since, my phobia has all but vanished. I would highly recommend 'shopping around' if at all possible.

Mine is a female dentist and she is very gentle and patient with me but she's never made a thing about me being scared, she just speaks in a really calming way. If I'd gone to a dentist who was in any way abrupt or uncaring I doubt I would have had the courage to ever see one again.
I did need a couple of extractions but I can honestly say they weren't that bad at all, I think the noise was actually the worst part of it.

I had to see this one as an emergency due to recently moving house and this was the first one I could get in with. After this treatment I may shop around.

During an extraction are you able to stop and just sit for a minute if you need to? Just to take a deep breath and can yourself?

Of course you are allowed to stop and breath OP!

If you can't manage it and the dentist doesn't offer sedation they can refer you for it. It might be a good option for you if you really can't manage in the dentist.

Ask dentist to prescribe valium for night before and and prior extraction. It will help to calm your nerves.

Thanks all. Trying to tell myself all the rational stuff and that it will be fine.

How do you get the dentist to stop if you need to? I’ve never had a tooth out before so whilst I know a bit about the process, I’ve never experienced it.

It may be worth asking to referred to your nearest dental hospital. I have had 3 extractions at Birmingham dental hospital ... In my case it was due to the complexity of the extractions ... They offer sedation there and all treatment is free... It's a much nicer environment than my own dentist

I had mine done at the dental hospital as it had rotted so much the g um had grown over it.
they were amazing.I wasn't sedated and it was out in a few minutes.could you do that once the emergency dentists seen you?

What do the dental hospital do differently than a normal surgery? If you weren’t sedated I mean.

How do you get the dentist to stop if you need to?

With my dentist (who should name his Mercedes "Miss C") I raise my right hand if I need a break. Not over my head, just off my lap, palm out. Obviously agree to this beforehand.

I have trouble keeping my mouth open for long periods, so I request an angled block of rubber called a "bite block". They stick it between my uppers and lowers on the side that's not being worked on. It's a huge help in relaxing as I'm not in discomfort from that part of it.

For me going to the dental hospital was due to my teeth being so badly broken that my dentist feared he would struggle to remove them... Last week I had one removed at the dental hospital as there was a chance I may have needed stitches as it was close to my sinus... I get the impression dentists chose to send you there if it's a tricky job... I however ask every time now as I much prefer it.. It's nice to know if Anythjng goes wrong your ok the best place.

I find its very relaxed, clean and calm environment too certainly is at Birmingham anyway

You just raise your hand, obviously talk it through with the dentist first. I would always give people breaks throughout anyway and keep an eye to check your looking okay so maybe talk it through with your dentist first, tell them your really nervous, get some headphones on if you need.

Take a scarf with you for after the procedure. I found my face was numb and also a little bit swollen for a few hours afterwards.

I did it! Rang them this morning and they had a cancellation so I just went for it! The dentist was actually a lot nicer today. I wasn’t 100% relaxed but I was loads calmer than I could ever have imagined, I didn’t even ask him to stop once!

Now sitting snuggled on the sofa with a sore mouth! Thanks for all the advice and support everyone.

Well done Dancer!

Thanks @MissConductUS!

It will feel much better in a day or so. Ibuprofen will help a lot too.

Touch wood it’s not too bad, he got it out quickly so hopefully that’s a good sign!

Well done you

Thanks!