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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be terrified of my first filling

56 replies

Hatade16 · 27/12/2016 19:40

I'm so bloody scared! It's tomorrow morning and I'm terrified 😪

I'm having thoughts of cancelling it :(

OP posts:

StarryIllusion · 27/12/2016 19:42

It doesn't hurt. I have loads and its far better to have a filling now than put it off until it can't be repaired and lose the tooth.

whyohwhy000 · 27/12/2016 19:44

It doesn't hurt much, the only pain is when the dentist is filing down the decay, but it's not always necessary. If you are not assured then the dentist should be able to give you a local anaesthetic.

Bigfatgrinch · 27/12/2016 19:45

I am the biggest wimp in the world and can confirm it's absolutely fine! Not painful at all and the worst bit is the strange sensations. Honestly you'll be fine

NannyR · 27/12/2016 19:46

Shouldn't hurt at all. A bit uncomfortable when the local goes in then completely numb whilst the dentist does the filling.

namechangeforthis123 · 27/12/2016 19:50

I'm a huge wimp. Honestly it's nothing to worry about. good luck. No pain. Just strange sensations.

akittencalledjesus · 27/12/2016 20:05

You can ask the dentist for numbing gel prior to the anesthetic. I only had it for the first time with my last filling and it made all the difference.

Also, tell the dentist you are very nervous. A good dentist will put you at ease. I'm a nervous patient and have gotten through about four fillings, a root removal, a normal wisdom tooth extraction and a surgical wisdom tooth extraction. I survived all without a problem, despite my nerves.

You'll be just fine

StinkyMcgrinky · 27/12/2016 20:08

I have a horrid dental phobia and had to be prescribed Diazepam prior to my last filling, I can confirm that it was absolutely fine and I didn't feel a thing! Husband dropped me off and then went off to park and I was finished and out of the clinic by the time he had DS in the pram.

You'll do great

NancyDonahue · 27/12/2016 20:12

Definitely tell the dentist you are nervous. Take paracetamol before you go. The injection may hurt for a second but you quickly go numb. The procedure itself is painless, it just feels and sounds strange.

You'll be fine, really x

Original poster

Hatade16 · 27/12/2016 20:13

Thank you all. I asked about the gel and he said it won't be needed as you can't feel a thing? :(

OP posts:

Popskipiekin · 27/12/2016 20:16

Try to insist on the numbing gel. Make clear you are nervous and can only have it with the gel. The local anaesthetic should be the only pain you feel and this can be totally avoided with the gel. That said, I don't bother with the gel now and really it's fine. And make sure to kick up a fuss if you do feel any discomfort after the injection has been left to work (seriously unlikely).

Champagneformyrealfriends · 27/12/2016 20:19

Top or bottom tooth? I had my first filling in may (top tooth) and it was fine. Had 2 bottom fillings recently and they were a bit uncomfortable but not traumatically so. You'll be fine.

Squiff85 · 27/12/2016 20:20

It won't hurt at all, I promise!

I've had loads done recently, I lost half a tooth while eating :( and had a white filling put in (front tooth). Also had a rear silver filling done a week or so after. Zero pain.

Please don't fret, I did and it wasn't worth it.

Original poster

Hatade16 · 27/12/2016 20:24

It's the top last one xx

OP posts:

akittencalledjesus · 27/12/2016 20:28

Just say you are too nervous to go ahead without the numbing gel. To be fair, an injection is not painful. You feel it go in, but that's it. However, I don't think it's very good manners on your dentist's part to refuse it. The one who used it on me seemed surprised I'd never been offered it.

By the way, it's basically the numbing gel they use for babies who are teething, so you could just swing by a pharmacy on your way in...

Pluto30 · 27/12/2016 20:33

It doesn't hurt.

Take the anaesthetic. The injection doesn't hurt at all, truly. I'm a baby when it comes to needles and these ones don't bother me.

You don't feel anything after the area is numbed (which takes a matter of seconds).

Sybys · 27/12/2016 20:40

If I'm being honest, I actually do find that the injection is very slightly painful for a second, and slightly uncomfortable for a few seconds more.

That's it though. The actual filling itself is fine. A bit noisy and probably will be a bit of a strange experience as it's your first time, but not painful.

I don't relish having fillings, but there's nothing to be scared of. In terms of discomfort, it's probably akin to straight forward blood test or vaccination.

StarryIllusion · 27/12/2016 20:45

Oh if it's a top one, you'll probably not even feel it much. Top teeth are easier going to have fillings done in. Bottom ones are harder to numb. Worst bit for me is the matrix because I hate having things sticking out of my mouth. The drilling really isn't that bad, just noisy. Just don't move your tongue when they are putting the filling in. If they drop a bit, you'll taste it for hours, it's disgusting.

confusednortherner · 27/12/2016 21:38

I've terrible needle phobia and had last filling done with no local anaesthetic as that's the bit that bothers me most. I can honestly say that it is more uncomfortable having stuff in my mouth than any actual pain.

Original poster

Hatade16 · 27/12/2016 21:54

How long does it take to do

OP posts:

TallyHoAndToodlePip · 27/12/2016 22:14

Depends on the size of the filling but they normally allow for a 20 minute appointment for fillings. That doesn't mean it'll take that long though. Maybe 5 - 10 minutes all in.

sj257 · 27/12/2016 22:15

It's fine, honestly. And I'm the biggest wimp ever. I've even had a root canal that was done over two 1 and a half hour appointments!

jayisforjessica · 27/12/2016 22:22

My dentist doesn't do numbing gel, he does acupressure, and I swear the first time he did it I thought he was some kind of magician/wizard! He's wonderful. If you can find a dentist that does that, I'd recommend it!

Otherwise, previous posters are right. The hardest part is the needle, and a lot of that is psychological. I fully acknowledge that it's scary to have a big needle coming towards you! But if you close your eyes and hold someone's hand - usually there's a dental nurse or assistant who is trained for exactly that!! - it's over in a few moments, and the rest is just oddness and weird sensations. You might have a bit of aching when the anesthetic wears off, but that's completely normal and will pass.

The biggest advice I can give you, apart from what a PP said about getting it done sooner rather than later (which is so true), is not to let it get so big in your head that you freak yourself out. In terms of dentistry, it's very minor, though I respect it can loom over you and feel much bigger if you're not used to it.

Talk to your dentist, too. It's in his best interests to make you as comfortable as possible, otherwise the procedure is that much more difficult for him to perform! And if he doesn't listen to you and take your concerns and fears into account, then find a different dentist (if at all possible). My dentist and I have an agreement that he does not move the chair once I'm in it, because I have issues with that kind of motion. But that came about because I talked to him about my concerns, and he listened.

Best of luck, OP! Deep breaths. You will be just fine. We believe in you!

TallyHoAndToodlePip · 27/12/2016 22:25

I agree with PP who say it's a doddle. It really is. It's an uncomfortable inconvenience at most. The fear of the unknown is also a bigger deal than the filling itself. Just try to ignore the weird noises the equipment makes and the dentist jargon that will make no sense to you.

I'm scared of the dentist but I've had to go through fillings, cleanings, root canals, tooth extractions and having all 4 wisdom teeth removed. My personal coping strategy is to close my eyes while the dentist does their thing, focus on calm, deep breathing and tune out what they're doing.

hazeyjane · 27/12/2016 22:28

I went from being so terrified of the dentist, I avoided going for years, when I finally did go, I was an hysterical wreck and had to have sedatives......to going to my 6 /9 monthly appointments happily and having fillings without injections. I found controlled breathing and music really helpful (I am normally a 'go for the drugs' kind).

Good luck tomorrow.

Fluffyears · 27/12/2016 22:30

It really won't hurt. You'll feel sndbteat some vibration from the drill but no pain. You will also hear the drill which is worst part imo. The initial injection is uncomfortable but it like a scratch and it numbs up really fast. Once you come out try to press lips together as if you are applying lipstick whilst looking in a mirror it's hilarious. I was meeting a friend after getting a filling and was trying to apply some lipgloss, I looked like I was gurning as muscles just would not do what they were meant to 😜

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