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.

Thank you :)

Did you make it to the hygienist?

I did! Thank you so much for checking up on me. I was absolutely shocked at how much they are able to scratch your teeth! She was lovely and chatted all the way through to try and make me less nervous. It was over really quickly as well.

I've only just seen this thread but well done OP for facing your fears - you are justifiably proud of yourself!

Thank you! It was honestly really hard and I did cry so wasn't particularly brave at the time. My teeth feel lovely and clean now though so that is good :)

Aww 😍. Keep going! There are less and less tears each time and the expense decreases as your oral health gets better.
Don't be worried about the odd slip up in oral care. Like babies, those gums have a way of bouncing back if you love them and care for them which it seems you do given the lengths you've just gone through. Bravo!

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

I feel so much less of a freak now.

I signed up for denplan so I will go every 6 months now and hopefully that'll be it. To be fair to myself though - I didn't go to the dentist for probably 10 years but only got 2 fillings so I'd say that's probably alright really! I have always made sure I brush my teeth etc - just not gone to see if they're alright or not.

Also half of my tongue went numb because of the injections which was absolutely horrible! So weird. I felt like my lip was enormously fat. I think she didn't do it far enough back because the filling still hurt 🤦🏻‍♀️ anyway. Hoping not to have to do that again...

Well done OP!!

I had to have an extraction last month and I literally cried the whole time, I couldn't not cry., my face was just leaking I have to go back for further work too but it'll be worth it I know.

They should do the 'I've been brave' stickers for grown ups

I agree! Stickers for all. Or money off.

Some bad news though - when I chew on that tooth it can hurt :( I've had to email them to ask if it is okay or not. I hate this so much!!

I have to go back in. I'm so upset!

Have they sorted it out? Sometimes things just need readjusting. They don't always need full treatment.

They gave me an appointment for Monday - I am hoping that is the case!

Hmmm well done first of all for facing your fear. I am so sorry you have to go back in. I am sure it will get sorted out. However, I will say that not all dentists are created equal. It might be worth shopping around as you have to pay private rates anyway.
I moved to a new area recently and had to have an emergency appointment. Dentist was not very good, for various reasons including not knowing why I was at my next appointment when she had scheduled it, cancelling me twice, losing my x rays and charging me for new ones.. you get the idea. So. I went to a different one and it is like night and day. This dentist also prescribed diazepam for the anxiety. It helps so so much. Do shop around and good luck today...

I'm hoping that it won't be as bad as last time :(

Well done OP - you did brilliantly!

I have a severe dental phobia, and need diazepam just to get through a filling. The things that have helped me are - diazepam from my very understanding GP; early morning appointments so I'm not spending the day in fear; a lovely dentist; laser fillings when appropriate (a bit pricey but worth it - no injections or drilling); keeping my jaw open really wide if the injection is going into the back; 6 monthly check ups on Denplan; and this guided meditation which is absolutely brilliant - listen to it the night before, on the day, in the waiting room and in the chair

Ask them about sedation.

My dd has dental phobia. She was really bad, shaking so much that the dentist couldn't safely do anything even before she went in. He's been treating her for the last few years under sedation when she needs things doing (and there were a lot of issues from not being able to do it over time)

She's now calm about making an appointment, and calm having an appointment. She even had her crown fitted without sedation, and she managed to go to the dentist for a small treatment up at uni without me as support. This may sound silly but he couldn't even get in her mouth to do a proper check up before.

The difference is that she knows that if it gets too much she can say "stop" and they'll make a sedation appointment. She also trusts her dentist so if he says "I think you can do this one without" then she is happy to give it a go.
She's got root canal treatment coming up, but it isn't worrying her. She is having sedation for that, but her and the dentist seriously discussed if she needed it.

The difference in her knowing she can get through it is amazing. The only thing is it isn't cheap. We're paying £350 for the sedation alone for an hour. But he's coming from a distance to do her and only her, so it's definitely worth it.

How did it go OP? I need one adjusting.

Sorry - I've just seen you have to go back. Hopefully it will be OK, fingers crossed for you.

Thank you all. I used my last diazepam for the last appointment but if I'm honest - I'm not sure it does too much for me. Unless 2mg isn't enough. I could ask for more maybe but my GP are useless so not sure they'd allow it. I would love sedation but it costs £275 there and with the price of fillings etc I just physically can't afford it.

I'm quite ashamed that I'm so frightened of them but it just feels so wrong letting someone put things in my mouth and do awful things to me and then having to pay £££ for it! I asked for a female dentist as I had traumatic experiences with 2 male dentists.

Also while I'm thinking about it, why the hell do they pass the instruments right over your eyes!?

Wish me luck.. review is tomorrow. The only positive is they aren't charging me for it!

In the waiting room. Feel absolutely sick! Thought i was done with this :(

Is your appointment at 14:30? (Two thirty… tooth hurty…). How was it?