Tell me about overcoming dentist fear

[Tobuyornot99]

Hello lovely Mumsnetters, I'd like some stories of bravery, or alternatively a kick up the bum.
My teeth and gums are awful, I haven't been to the dentist in about 8 years. I've got bad breath, gum disease, and the most offensive looking teeth.
I've bitten the bullet and booked an appointment with a private dentist who specialises in nervous patients. Our local NHS dentist is a huge man mountain with no time for messing about and fear (I take dd there so I've met him).
Can anyone inspire me similar experiences that have turned out well? I'm absolutely petrified and would love a hand hold.

I think you need to grit your teeth and get through this but the real important change will be what happens when this round of treatment is complete. Previously I always went back to procrastinating and avoiding but about 4 years ago I went onto a payment plan with a private dentist I liked. I get 2 dental visits and 4 hygienist visits per year. Because I have already paid I have not missed a single appointment. Longest period of my life with regular checkups.

I was so terrified I would rather have crashed my car than go for a check up
What helped weirdly was needing an extraction. It didn't hurt, and if that's the worse thing then I decided I could cope
Numbing gel before injections
Headphones for music
Hand up to say stop if you need it
A sympathetic dentist

@DishranawaywiththeSpoon I think that’s pretty impressive to be dealing with something that scares you pretty much every day. Fair dos!

I know I find it reassuring that it’s a very common phobia as I feel less “weird” and “silly”. You’re not alone OP, as you can see from this thread.

Thank you all so much for sharing your stories with me, it's definitely given me hope. For those who asked what I'm scared of, it's the feeling of having lots of things in my mouth, or that spacer bar thing that's used to pin your mouth open - I gag easily and would be mortified to vomit over a dentist! Also the feeling of dryness when all those machines are going and sucking, dear me my pulse has risen just thinking about it.
I'm also scared that I'll have long, expensive treatment and will lose my teeth anyway at the end of it.
If I could turn back time this is the one thing I'd change above all else, taking good care of my teeth. I'm absolutely obsessed with other people's teeth now and it's the first thing I notice when I meet someone.

Just wanted to check in with you lovely lot to say thanks. I went to the dentist yesterday, and saw the out lovely dentist and nurse, they were so unbelievably kind and nothing like dentists of old. My situation isn't as bad as I thought and they gave me hope. So much so I'm going back today for a hygienist appointment as she had a cancellation and I'm striking whilst the iron is hot.
Your kind words really helped, thanks all!

Well done you :) xx

@Tobuyornot99 Yay well done! Bet you feel so relieved and proud now! I went to the dentist on Wednesday and he wants me to see the hygienist too - the next appointment they had isn’t until Feb though.
I’ve never seen one - what do they do?

Dancer I have gum disease so the hygienist focused on the area around the gums, blasting them with a water jet type thing, and using a scraper to get off the plaque. I believe it's more normal for them to use an electric scraper which is noisy and more ferocious - perhaps she's easing me in.
It was honestly totally fine though, I took some ibuprofen before hand and listened to a podcast, and fiddled with a bunch of keys to distract myself.
I practically skipped out of there I was so proud of myself, you'll feel the same I'm sure

Tobuyornot99 Thanks. I had a tooth removed recently which I was fine with, so I’m thinking everything else must be easier than that!
I’m similar to you in that I hate having all the things in my mouth, worry about gagging, etc. I used to even gag when I brushed my teeth myself!

How long did it take?

Well done

Well done to you xx