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Original poster

Are you scared of the dentist?

43 replies

ClassicStripe · 26/02/2025 21:11

I am very scared. Didn’t go for almost ten years 😮. Went today and I was practically weeping with fear driving there! I don’t know how I forced myself out the car. I’m not scared of any other medical environment.

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 26/02/2025 21:16

I used to be, but I’ve got a lovely patient one and I’m not scared at all now.
although I’d be bricking it if I had to have a tooth out.

PigInADuvet · 26/02/2025 21:17

No, I'm not scared of the dentist. I am scared of the receptionist who gives me the bill at the end!

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 26/02/2025 21:17

Chance would be a fine thing?! No dentists anywhere round here...

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Dental health
Darkclothes · 26/02/2025 21:18

No- not scared at all. I mean, I don't relish having a filling, or a smear, or blood tests, but no, I'm not scared to get routine things done.

OP- Well done for going. Do you have a friend/family member who could go along next time for support?

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 26/02/2025 21:19

No, but I have a phobia of needles so find it very difficult if I need treatment. My dentist is an actual angel and really supportive.

Nogodsnomasters · 26/02/2025 21:19

Not scared as in phobic of it or terrified but scared as in I don't like it and it makes me feel nervous and I'm gripping the arm rest with my hands, desperate for it to just be over.

PenniesButton · 26/02/2025 21:19

Yes, because I'm terrified of pain.

socks1107 · 26/02/2025 21:20

Yes I hate it! I have a check up next week and will be glad when it's over

AdoraBell · 26/02/2025 21:21

Yes. Since childhood but I can cope.

Lyannaa · 26/02/2025 21:22

Yes I am. I need at least one of my wisdom teeth out. This is unfortunate.

readingmakesmehappy · 26/02/2025 21:22

Yes, too much orthodontic treatment when I was a teenager.

JoyousEagle · 26/02/2025 21:23

Not scared - but I have quite a sensitive gag reflex so always find the dentist quite unpleasant.

Scutterbug · 26/02/2025 21:23

Absolutely phobic. I suffer extreme anxiety and don’t leave the house.
Last November I woke up with the whole of one side of my face badly swollen. I knew it was the tooth I’d struggled with for a while. Found a recommended (private) dentist. They were honestly amazing. Gave me antibiotics making me take a double dose whilst there as the infection was so severe.
Went back two weeks later for the extraction. Had sedation due to my phobias. I will always use this dentist in future.
Now if I could just get to the point of being able to leave my house… I can’t even put the bins out…

SlaveToAGoldenRetriever · 26/02/2025 21:24

Absolutely hate it. Perfectly fine with needles etc in any other setting and medically I’m not a nervous patient at all but I always dread going to the dentist. The feeling of choking on your own saliva while they’re doing a filling is the worst - and the cost! Don’t mind going to the orthodontist though, I went to a lovely clinic and it was always very pleasant.

KittenPause · 26/02/2025 21:25

It's not my in top 10 of fun activities

gamerchick · 26/02/2025 21:26

I fear tooth issues more than I fear the dentist. I'm just happy I have an NHS one.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 26/02/2025 21:27

I have a great dentist who's very cheerful and never running late. Plus you can't hear what's happening in the treatment rooms from the waiting room, so you're not sitting there for ages getting sweaty palms. This makes a HUGE difference to the experience, and although I don't enjoy going, I don't dread it.

Mudflaps · 26/02/2025 21:28

Be proud of yourself for going today. I used to be absolutely terrified of going near them, I had to go in to collect my husband a few years ago (he'd had sedation so wasn't allowed leave alone) and I was shaking. I used to have my husband come in with me and stay until I was sedated and even then I was a nervous wreck but something changed, I think it was meeting the dentist who was lovely, understanding and kind, they took time to relax me, first trip without sedation was with my husband but just a check up, no electrical tools or treatment, next time was a gentle clean on my own, then I had a filling and proper scale and clean with no sedation and now I've absolutely no problem going. I'm really lucky that my husband was totally supportive and after my last check up he told me he was so proud, it felt good that at age 53 I could finally do something that I'd avoided since childhood (a rotten experience with a dentist known locally as the butcher who skipped the country eventually). Don't dwell on the bad feeling, be proud of yourself, I'm proud of you and I don't even know you.

Original poster
ClassicStripe · 26/02/2025 21:28

@Scutterbug that sounds really tough. I hope you are able to find peace soon.
The dentist was so good with me. Very patient and talked me through every thing. Made me feel (almost) relaxed. The bill made me feel very unrelaxed though!

OP posts:
Pedallleur · 26/02/2025 21:30

AdoraBell · 26/02/2025 21:21

Yes. Since childhood but I can cope.

Having to have a lot of treatment iay a Dental School in my 20s got me over it but my teeth aren't great as a result of that early neglect. These are skilled medical practitioners. I've had quite a bit of work done and the dentists I've had have been brilliant. I see it as like flying. I don't like it but I need to do it and the people doing the work are skilled at it

Firefly1987 · 26/02/2025 21:30

How did it go OP? I haven't been for a few years and so can only get private now. At least I know they can fit me in quick! I've been very anxious about going mainly due to how long it's been and what they might find! Any niggle in a tooth and I panic. Upped my tooth brushing and flossing massively so at least I can say that. But I used to drink a lot of fizzy drinks so I'm sure they've had an effect. I really wish I'd kept regular appointments now as not only would I still be on the NHS but they'd find any issues before they have a chance to get worse. I don't mind the thought of fillings but that's about all I can handle!

coxesorangepippin · 26/02/2025 21:30

No, I'm scared of the hairdresser tho

bengalcat · 26/02/2025 21:32

No always gone regularly since childhood - having bad gums/ teeth is more scary

Bobbydazz · 26/02/2025 21:32

Yes, I get incredibly anxious and talk way too much when I'm there, but I have a lovely dentist who really calms me down.

I think with other medical things you can detach yourself a little from what's happening but you can't do that with dentistry - it's all going on right in front of you and you can't turn away

Toanswer2025 · 26/02/2025 21:50

I have/had a big fear of dentist. To the point I would be in extreme pain. My teeth crumbed and you could see the pulp. . I use to rock in pain. It would effect my face and ear . Any tiny noise would send a shooting pain on my ear through to my tooth. A few times I went ti the dentist when I couldn't take anymore . I told them how scared I was. I would be judged by the dentist feel really shit . That would lead me not to go back. Then it would happen all over again . I only ever had one dentist who looked at my teeth and said no one gos through that pain unless they have a massive fear . But I was still to scared.

Eventually I went private. And it's been completely different I found out I have something wrong that means my teeth crumble and decay easily. I can't remember what its called. He has been really nice . I have now had all my teeth removed I am having implants its taken 4 years so far.