Dentist - Please give me some encouragement

[girafferafferaffe]

I am going to the dentist tomorrow. For 2 fillings. They said I need an injection. I am utterly terrified. I haven't been able to sleep properly for a month since they gave me the appointment. All I can think about is the fact they'll be putting an actual needle in my face and I'm totally unsure how I will actually stay still for it.

Please can I have some positive stories or encouragement or tips or something. I am just feeling so incredibly tearful and sick. I am certain I won't sleep at all tonight.

Honestly, it will sting for a couple of seconds then it goes numb. The injection will be over and done with so quickly and then you’ll feel nothing.
You’ve got this!

This time tomorrow it will be over. I close my eyes and try to think about something else, it hurts for a second but will be worse if you don't keep still. Are you having the fillings because of toothache? If so it will be well worth it.

No toothache. I forced myself to go to a dentist last month (and pay privately for the privilege) because I had frightened myself in to it by thinking one of my teeth was disintegrating - it is chipped but she said there is nothing wrong with it, however she said I need 2 other fillings on the complete opposite side which I had no idea about. They don't hurt and so it feels even harder to do it.

Earphones and music or a podcast
Ask for numbing gel (it tastes like bubblegum)
Don't do what I do and stick your tongue in the gel because it tastes nice, then panic because your tongue goes numb while my dentist is "every bloody time..."
There's a woman at my dentists that has the knack and she gives completely painless injections. No idea how but she's fab
All you have to do is be brave for 30 seconds and it'll be done

My dentist uses some numbing cream first, still stings a little but it's fine.
I've got an appt for root canal treatment next week, but looking forward to it but I am looking forward to being out of pain!
Hope it all goes well tomorrow.

It's really hard for me to even let people near my mouth so this is like my Everest. I hadn't gone to the dentist for about 10 years before this. I know, I know.

She did say she would use numbing gel. I'm still so terrified :(

I know I'm a massive bloody baby. I birthed a whole child with no medication but people going near my mouth makes me feel so violated.

You have to go, you'll regret it if you don't. It might not be painful now but trust me you don't want it to be.
I've just had a week of almost unbearable pain which fortunately has eased with antibiotics but won't go away until the treatment is done.
Be brave and this time tomorrow it will be over

Oh I'll go but I will definitely cry at them and I'm sure they'll think I'm a total idiot!

Good luck today!

You el be fine. I had a filling redone last week. I cried a few times and the dentist was very kind. Chatted to me, distracted me, put on 80s music for me to listen to. They deal with nervous patients all the time. You'll feel better after you have them done!

Listen to music while you're having the fillings?

The injection stings for a second then is fine. I had literally no pain when she was doing my fillings. You will be fine.

I'm going to put headphones in and listen to a podcast. I'm feeling so shaky and nauseous. It's not so much the pain but more the needle coming directly at my face and then going in to my mouth. Then the drilling. Feel ill.

I totally understand your fright. A dentist gave me the creeps and it took me a few years to see another.

I took paracetamol before going in and i went in with a blindfold and earplugs.
The dentist did roll his eyes but got on with the job.

Overtime and as the teeth get healthier you will feel better about the visits. And things will get less painful and there'll be less intervention.

Im in sympathy with you.I have an irrational fear of the dentist. Ive got a check up next week and the thought of it is making me quake. They wont do anything, and I will have sedation for anything that does need doing at next appointment. but Im still scared

Have you been yet, how did it go? If you haven't been yet, please try not to worry... It's fine! Just explain how you feel to the dentist. They'll be used to it. Just close your eyes! With the numbing gel, it feels no worse than a tiny scratch. Just like if you scratch your gum accidentally with a sharp bit of food. It's a piece of cake, I promise. Over in a second.

Take painkillers before the appointment, ask for the numbing gel, ask the dental nurse to hold your hand (they won’t be surprised at all). Try to breathe while the injection is done, rather than tensing up. If you cry it’s ok. You won’t feel anything once you’ve had the injection. You are going to feel really proud of yourself afterwards and it’s great that you’re taking control of your dental health.

Hi all. I went - i was shaking and I did cry during the injections (I'm sure they thought i was silly) and the drilling still hurt so it did feel a little bit pointless but I guess it would have been worse if not. The worst feeling was how numb my face was. I tried to have my headphones in but she kept tapping my arm and asking me things so I had to take one out. I have the hygienist next week and hopefully that'll be ok too.

They did leave me waiting for 20 minutes past my appointment time so by the time I walked in I was already in tears

Well done for going, you should be proud of yourself.
The drilling shouldn't hurt though, I am always asked to raise my hand if I feel any pain and can then have a top up of local anaesthetic.
Hope the next appt goes ok.

I wiggle my toes while they are working. Somehow it helps be a bit.

Well done! Now you’ve done that you can just get back on regular check ups and hopefully no more treatment. I’ve been where you are and it’s horrible. You should be so proud of yourself for getting through it.

Well done! The long wait is so unfair if you are nervous 💐

Thank you all so much for the support. It feels so irrational but previous experience as a child terrified me. Now the numbness and adrenaline has worn off I feel a lot better and am proud I did it.

Well done, you should feel very proud of yourself.