Dentist fear, any advice?

[WilsonMilson]

I didn’t mind going to the dentist until a few years ago when I had a bad root canal experience, but have changed to a new dentist since then and he seemed very good the last time I was there.

The thing is, I haven’t been to the dentist since Covid and now I’m bloody terrified to go. I have an appointment on Tuesday as I’ve been getting some intermittent pain which isn’t going away, so I plucked up the courage to make the appointment.

I absolutely know I will need some done in other teeth too, and a scale and polish - despite a good brushing and flossing routine, but I’m bloody terrified to go.

I’ve got myself into a total tizz about it and am practically reduced to tears just thinking about it. I’ve been thinking of cancelling, but that would be really silly. It’s ridiculous, I’m a middle aged woman, I’ve given birth ffs. I cannot quite believe I’m this scared, but here we are.

I think I’m scared of another root canal due to previous, or the dentist doing something that causes more pain - I know someone who ended with trigeminal neuralgia after bad dental work, but that must be incredibly rare. Also scared of finding out I need loads of work done, I can afford it, it’s not the money, it’s the fear of it all. It’s irrational really, but I suppose most phobias are.

Any advice? I’m mortified to say I’m scared, I’d feel like a bit of a wimp, I’m more the grit your teeth (pardon the pun) type of person.

Tell the dentist! They hear this all the time, don’t be embarrassed.

Mine prescribed me Valium to take before appointments.

Definitely speak to the dentist. My dad has PSTD after an eye op. Previously fine with the dentist, his has prescribed diazepam for appointments where he is having work done. He manages check ups without.

Thanks, I am embarrassed to say anything, but I’m sure you’re right. I used to not think twice about going, i don’t know why I’m being so irrational.

I would think about where the point is that you're really scared. Is it just going? Or is it what you find out needs doing? Or is it dental injections? Or is it actual treatment?
The reason I ask this is that I found I was OK with check ups just not the rest. My solution has been to start a private maintenance plan which keeps my teeth in optimum condition. It means I have to get less done in the first place and catch other things early. If I needed anything big done I'm referred for sedation.
I still don't like active dental treatment but I can tolerate it much better, so there is hope.
Good luck

Thanks, that’s really helpful. I think my problem is that I’ve left it for so long that I know I have a number of issues - in the tooth that had root canal previously and the one next to it. Probably another few fillings too. I’m scared of how extensive the work might be that’s needed and then having it done, the injections and the drilling, but also in case something goes wrong and I end up with nerve damage (happened to a friend).

I never have injections for fillings as I would rather endure the filling than the injection and usually fillings don’t hurt that much. When I had root canal I did get the injection, but wasn’t properly numb in the right place and felt it all, it was awful, like someone stabbing your skul with a hot poker, I about leapt out of the chat and ran away. They tried to top it up but I just didn’t get numb, so I simply endured it. It also needed to be re-done as wasn’t done correctly the first time. Not a great experience.

Check ups are fine, it’s the finding out what needs done and actually getting it done, and worrying about things going wrong. I’m going to go though, I am in niggling pain at the gym line and just in the area generally and I know it’s not going to get any better if I leave it. I will tell the dentist when I go in and hope he is understanding.

@WilsonMilson I'm so glad you're going to go.
Absolutely tell the dentist how you feel.
You may find what you need doing isn't as much as you think, or as bad as you think.
Hope it's all manageable for you.

I havent been for over 3 years due to having chemo and then the covid situation. Im a dreadful wimp and usually have sedation, Im still terrified of going but I dont know anything about it, and every time I tell myself to remember that it was fine. Ive had a major op and breezed through it but even ringing the dentist makes me go all shaky. If sedation is available go for it. But everyone tells me that dentists are a lot more patient and reassuring with nervous people than they used to be !

Your GP should be able to prescribe Diazepam for you OP. I

Absolutely tell the dentist.

The good ones now have so many tricks and things to make you feel more comfortable.

The most important thing my dentist offered when I explained how terrified I was, was to promise that if I raised my right hand he would stop immediately.

Knowing that I had the power to stop it was immensely comforting. I'd be listening out to see whether it really hurt and often it didn't.

Other tricks include to concentrate on breathing out. My mother taught me to 'take a big deep breath' but then I held on to it which really isn't helpful.

Now they also rub local anaesthetic on my gums before doing any injections.

Keep all the instruments out of my sight and always tell me what is going to happen next.

I never thought I would feel like this about going to the dentist, but I'm all good nowadays. Hope you find a good dentist and get over how you are now feeling

I feel your pain op, I'm a terrible wimp with the dentist. It isn't even the pain or needles I'm afraid of, I just hate feeling trapped and out of control.

I recently had an issue with a tooth which resulted in numerous appointments. I eventually had a root canal and crown but started with multiple fillings to try to fix the issue.

As much as I panicked and hated it, it was the best thing I could have done to help my phobia. Each appointment I panicked for a shorter amount of time beforehand and the last one I only panicked a bit on the day, a big improvement on the weeks of anxiety it used to cause! Exposure therapy really is the best thing to do if you can find a kind and understanding dentist.

My experience was this:

• dentists can't prescribe diazepam as it's no longer allowed and GP refused to
• dentist could offer sedation but it cost a fortune
• you can have numbing gel on your gum so the injection doesn't hurt
• I have anaesthetic without adrenaline as I realised the adrenaline hugely added to my panic and anxiety
• I took headphones so I didn't have to listen to any drilling and could try to zone out to an audiobook
• I told myself that every minute I was at the dentist (starting from when I was brave enough to walk through the door) was a minute less of the appointment time I needed to get through and a minute closer to leaving again

Good luck, it really will be ok

Oh and the two root canal appointments didn't hurt at all. The only bad thing was having to hold my mouth open for so long. It sounds like you had a bad experience and there's no reason it would be like that again.