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Original poster

Does anyone else hate dental x rays??

38 replies

cheesywotsit62 · 23/05/2023 13:29

I think I’m unusual for this as everyone else I’ve asked is fine with them!
I’m due x rays soon and I can’t stand them. The reason is they make me gag!
Last time I got them done I had to ask the dentist to use a ‘smaller’ plate as I just couldn’t cope with the normal sized one. Not great as she did explain they wouldn’t be able to see as much.
Even the smaller plate was awful!
Does anyone else have this problem??

OP posts:
CrushedVelvet · 23/05/2023 13:31

Similar here - I have a very strong gag reflex and can't cope with the adult ones at all. I can just about manage the child-sized ones long enough to get the picture, so I always ask for those first now.

Original poster
cheesywotsit62 · 23/05/2023 13:32

@CrushedVelvet This is exactly it! As soon as they put it in my gag reflex starts and I’m trying to vomit! I haven’t actually asked for a child sized one but maybe I should?

OP posts:
eurochick · 23/05/2023 13:33

Same here. I only consent to them very occasionally for this reason. Even with the smaller plates I gag. Having impressions done for a night guard was worse. 🤮

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Original poster
cheesywotsit62 · 23/05/2023 13:33

@eurochick Im glad it’s not just me! Unfortunately I definitely need them as I’m due for a wisdom tooth extraction, I’m absolutely dreading it 😞

OP posts:
SavvyWavvy · 23/05/2023 13:33

Yes, the plastic is always really sharp and cuts my gums.

TheSweetestHalleluja · 23/05/2023 13:34

Same here, can't stand it.

Spring78Mermaid · 23/05/2023 13:34

Our dentist puts a tiny bit of salt on your tongue and it works to stop the gag reflex. She literally keeps a pot on her desk

HadleyVaughn · 23/05/2023 13:34

I'm not sure what you mean. the last one I had, I just had to bite on a bit of plastic to separate the teeth and the x-ray camera rotated around the outside of my jaw from the back teeth on one side, around and to the back of the other.

Are you talking about a different process?

eurochick · 23/05/2023 13:37

My dentist uses a T shaped plate - so one bit goes between your teeth and the rest between your teeth and tongue.

Original poster
cheesywotsit62 · 23/05/2023 13:37

@Spring78Mermaid Really? I’ve never heard of that!!
Now having visions of me confidently swaggering in with my Saxa salt shaker in my bag…😁

OP posts:
Original poster
cheesywotsit62 · 23/05/2023 13:38

@HadleyVaughn That sounds rather advanced!
Not sure, but at my dentist we have to bite onto an entire ‘plate’ that goes all the way to the back of the mouth.
Your dentists method sounds far better!

OP posts:
the80sweregreat · 23/05/2023 13:39

I hate them too ! Make me gag
I had to have one done when I had an abcess once and the lady dentist told me to ' stop being a baby ' as it hurt to bite down onto the x ray plate and I was fussing a bit about it
Nasty woman , luckily she left not long after this

justanothermummma · 23/05/2023 13:43

Some practices have cbct/opg scanners which are more advanced and ideal for patients with a sensitive gag reflux, it will also give a clearer picture of wisdom teeth. Ask fir a referral x

Simd1 · 23/05/2023 13:45

Yes!!! I thought it was just me! I have a normal sized mouth but I need the child sized equipment inside the mouth or I just cannot get it done. Even the child one is difficult. Dentists sometimes act like I'm the only person ever with this problem. There is no reason for it or anything, I just presume I have a super strength gag reflex.

the80sweregreat · 23/05/2023 13:56

I always feel I want to be sick and it's only for a minute or less whilst they take the x ray
Hate them with a passion

HadleyVaughn · 23/05/2023 13:57

@cheesywotsit62

I've looked it up and the practice has CT and OPG scanners with a Cephalometric arm, No idea what any of that means but there definitely wasn't any gagging and it was really easy.

if it's a bit problem for you maybe see if you can get the x-ray done somewhere else.

Spring78Mermaid · 23/05/2023 14:01

My DD was offered a stand up one instead. More X-ray but as she’s autistic she just couldn’t tolerate the plastic thing and they were very keen to check for missing teeth.

ilovebagpuss · 23/05/2023 14:04

I know I have a small jaw/mouth as have always had overcrowding issues. The side xray plate that goes down between the cheek and teeth hurts me sooo much. I feel like such a baby but its agony on my soft inside chops.

hopefulsquirrel · 23/05/2023 14:07

I hate them too! My dentist advises me to wiggle my toes which helps a bit

hopefulsquirrel · 23/05/2023 14:07

HadleyVaughn · 23/05/2023 13:34

I'm not sure what you mean. the last one I had, I just had to bite on a bit of plastic to separate the teeth and the x-ray camera rotated around the outside of my jaw from the back teeth on one side, around and to the back of the other.

Are you talking about a different process?

If you have a very sensitive gag reflex then this process is really horrible!

bellav · 23/05/2023 14:09

Try squeezing one of your ear lobes, hard. Sounds daft but my dentist told me this years ago and it works.

Spicypeanuts · 23/05/2023 14:17

justanothermummma · 23/05/2023 13:43

Some practices have cbct/opg scanners which are more advanced and ideal for patients with a sensitive gag reflux, it will also give a clearer picture of wisdom teeth. Ask fir a referral x

This. I had to have a scan as they couldn't get it far enough back to scan an impacted wisdom tooth. The scan was amazing! It looks really cool too.

HotelNotPortofino · 23/05/2023 14:21

I gag like a cat with a fur ball.
I have found if they let me stand and lean forward slightly it is better
might try the salt next time

BellatrixLestrangesHeatedCurlers · 23/05/2023 14:58

the80sweregreat · 23/05/2023 13:39

I hate them too ! Make me gag
I had to have one done when I had an abcess once and the lady dentist told me to ' stop being a baby ' as it hurt to bite down onto the x ray plate and I was fussing a bit about it
Nasty woman , luckily she left not long after this

I think we had the same dentist! I'd been given a lift by my mum (back when I was a student who couldn't drive) and cow of a dentist sneered, "awwww did you get your mummy to bring you?? Is she in the waiting room for you? Are you scared?" Then told me my gums were "in a right state" and I was going to lose my teeth if I wasn't careful as "gums don't grow back you know!" I... have no idea what she was talking about. My gums were/are healthy both before and since. In answer to the question, my current dentist also uses the t-plate thing for x-rays as mentioned by a PP, and it's more comfortable by far.

the80sweregreat · 23/05/2023 15:01

This dentist I had was just horrible about the x ray.
I had another one who moaned on about my gum disease and brushing techniques snd her teeth were worse than mine. At least mine are straight.
I think a few dentists have a ' god ' complex !

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