Dentist visit - embarrassed

[Workyticket]

I'm already mortified by the state of my teeth - we were never taken as children and I'm only getting round to sorting them now

I'm not frightened - just so, so embarrassed

I went this morning - I need 2 teeth out (one needs a surgeon she said) and she tried to do an xray

I couldn't do it - the camera was huge and I kept gagging. I tried 4 times but couldn't tolerate the camera long enough for the pictures

I'm still cringing now - and have to go to a different dentist for a different kind of xray

Surely this is something I should be able to cope with? Dh couldn't understand at all and said the camera is fine

Is there anything i can do in future to make it easier?

Don’t be embarrassed, they will
have seen plenty worse. I’ll hazard a guess It’s your gag reflex - biology! So not really anything you can do about that. You tried, and there are different methods of taking an x ray which use different machines, not all dentists have them- expense and room!

My embarrassing moment was during having a tooth removed for bridge work, I freaked out and punched the dentist on the nose. I was mortified, he was very nice about it. I did continue to be his patient for a decade, until we moved house.

As PP said, there are different ways to X ray and it's perfectly okay that your dentist's way wasn't right for you. Your husband might have found it fine but you don't have the same mouth as him! And as you are new to dentists, it's okay that you aren't coping as you expected.

Dentists are like lots of other medical professionals, they have seen all sorts! They'll have seen people in your situation before, who's dental health was neglected in childhood and impacts them in adulthood so they'll know it wasn't your fault and you're doing the best you can now. Remember that your teeth don't offend or negatively effect them, it's just another job to them and they just want to help you.

Before your next appointment, phone the dentists and tell them you're nervous about what will happen and would appreciate their understanding. They may be able to give you a double appointment so you have plenty of time to try the different x ray and they'll explain to you what will happen. If it makes it easier, you could bring your husband or a friend.

At nearly 40 my dh had never seen a dentist. When we had ds he knew he needed to.. He was a wreck. The dentist was amazing and gave him the confidence to have treatment.. He had about 8 teeth taken out and a plate made. He hardly wears it as feels OK without it despite gaps. Your dentist is a Tooth Fairy of sorts!