Dentist…..freaking out!

[GreatBigBeautifulTommorow]

please help me calm down ☹️

My NHS dentist left practice last year and they haven’t recruited a new one so currently no dentist.

I sleep clench and wear a guard but a few years ago had a root canal and dentist filed that tooth down to try to stop my clenching cracking filling…last time saw him he mentioned a crown and we’d discuss next time…..he left.

fadt forward to tonight and a chunk of ?tooth? Filling has fallen out.

111 have arranged an emergency appt on Sunday but I’m so scared.

im scared of the exam and procedure.
im scared they’ll remove it
im anxious about not having a tooth there.

I can’t settle and feel really panicky ☹️

Just realised it’s Friday 13th 🙄
many tips on getting an nhs dentist much appreciated also.

Dentist do their best to save teeth, not remove them. I’ve had most things done to my aging teeth, which are prone to cracking.
The most likely procedure will be to build the tooth up with white bonding material. I’ve recently had this done, but I also have a crown and a veneer. All done some years ago to save teeth and are all still sound.
Deep breathing helps calm nerves, also thinking about somewhere you’ve been that you really liked.
good luck

@Beebumble2 thankyou for replying.
Am trying really hard not to go through every worse scenario in my head.

just concerned as feels like broke off below gum line on half of it ☹️

111 mentioned a dental repair kit but I darent incase they have to drill it off or causes more problems?

am bright red and feel like I need to run ( I’m overweight with a bad back and last ran when I was 6 😂)

Just wanted to say hi as I'm having on and off shooting tooth pain at the top of my teeth.

I wondered if it was linked to a filling I need on the lower other side but not sure.

Debating when I should call 111. Tried to call my dentist yesterday but they have kicked me off the list.

Also debating about putting a filler kit thing in there but am terrified 😭😭

@Itstime2023 why have they removed you from list? It’s so awful not being able to get a dentist.
is there a hole for you to put the filler kit in?

haven’t slept much and floods of tears this morning, I’d cope so much better if didn’t have to go somewhere unfamiliar on top of the actual dental bit ☹️

Sorry to hear you’re still distressed by it all. Try to focus on the result being better than you’re feeling now. Modern dentistry is pain free, dentists want patients, not scare them off.
Going to the dentist depresses me as my teeth are not naturally good, despite how much I look after them. But not going is a far worse outcome. When you get there tomorrow focus on it all being over in about 30 mins and how good you’ll feel.

Thanks @Beebumble2 really trying to stop the anxious running through every scenario and outcome! I’m not a dentist (for good reason 😂)

I was in a similar position 2 years ago, had to get a private emergency appointment and the tooth was removed - think the total cost was about £200 and that included a free follow up check-up (which I stupidly didn’t go to ☹️).

I applied then to get on their NHS waiting list and I now finally am - 18mth waiting list!

Whatever happens it won’t be as bad as you think.

Mine was a back tooth so getting it out wasn’t an issue for me - if yours is a front tooth it could be more complicated and costly, unfortunately, but you will be ok - for me the thinking about it all beforehand was the worst - my anxiety actually stopped when I got in the dentist chair.

I’ve never tried those home dentist kits but wouldn’t think they could do any harm to tide you over till you can get seen.

Good luck x

I've had the same thing happen to my teeth. I lost a big lump of a tooth that was mostly filling anyway but the dentist was able to remove the old filling and put in some kind of lining and refill it. It doesn't look very pretty but it's a back tooth so I don't care!
Another time the same thing but it was too far gone and the dentist suggested root canal and a crown.
I can honestly say, hand on heart, there was no pain whatsoever with either. Different dentists too. The worst thing was I was worried about dribbling!
It's easy to say, but try to relax. DH used to be terrified of the dentist but he's OK now.
You WILL be fine, whatever the treatment.

@Back21970 It’s a middle tooth near the back so fingers crossed.
the emergency appt is through 111 and NHS so hoping sorted in one and not too costly.

@WandaFishy99 hoping I have a similar experience to you.
I can’t put my finger on what I’m so scared off…..feeling out of control maybe? Teeth just scare me. My mouth feels so “wrong” with the bit missing.

Thankyou both for advice.

I’ve been on Google to try and see where to park and worked out how far away it is.
sat nav says 50 mins. I’m not the most confident in places I don’t know.

haven't eaten today either…..scared I’ll get something stuck and cause problems?

Scared of bring out of control is understandable. These days all dentists have a thing where if you put your hand up, they stop what they're doing till you feel able to carry on. Maybe if you keep that in mind you'll feel more in control.

That's good that you're preparing for your journey so you won't have a getting lost or parking panic.

It'll soon be over and you'll either be fixed up or you'll know exactly what's going to happen.

Good luck!

Please try to eat something, perhaps scrambled egg or soup. It is important to take some nourishment to help feel calmer.

I had some tinned macaroni cheese, tooth catches tongue when I eat 😩

thought I felt a bit better but the flushed face and what ifs? are back.

going to try and watch the rest of Kaos on Netflix to distract me.

Thankyou for keeping me company.

Just to update….I survived, although I cried all the way through appointment and he wasn’t the friendliest ☹️

Well done, you’ve probably experienced the worst and it’s over now.
Be brave and find yourself a dentist, prevention of future problems is the way to go.

@Beebumble2 were trying to find a dentist. We’ve been with current practice 40years 😫

still feel teary today and anxious…keep poking tooth to check filling Is there and ok.
due period which I’m sure isn’t helping!

have the day off so going to try and relax and forget about it and start ringing around dentists later in the week.

Thankyou for your support 💐

Just dawned on me that the filling is a temporary one and not as durable or long lasting as permanent 😥
I was too distressed to digest what was said yesterday.

still on waiting list for dentist so have a private appt booked at our practice and hoping they just swap to a permanent filling.
credit card it is!

Glad you coped, they must be used to people crying and nervous so I'm sure you weren't out of the ordinary.
Most likely a dentist will just replace a temp filling with a permanent one. If you're going private you'll get a lovely white one and you can just forget all about it.