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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dentist anxiety - wisdom tooth

28 replies

Samb79 · 15/08/2018 10:21

Please be gentle...

A few months ago I had excruciating jaw pain, which led to an ooh hospital appt. they couldn’t find anything so then visited the dentist. I’m incredibly nervous of the dentist, and have this stupid gag reflex when anything is put in my mouth, as well as not being able to open my jaw wide enough. My dentist tried to take x rays but because of this reflex she couldn’t get an image of the tooth at the back so had to go to hospital for a swanky full head X-ray. It looks like the wisdom tooth is cracked, and that it’ll have to come out.

However I would really rather be put under general due to the stress of feeling like I’m choking if it’s going to be removed. Also, I had a tooth out a while ago and can still hear the crunching sound it made, which also makes me extremely reluctant to have it taken out. I can’t describe the fear, but those things combined make me feel terrified and sick.

The technician at the hospital said it’s unlikely that they’d put me under for one tooth, and can’t have the others taken out at same time as one is on a nerve and the other one hasn’t erupted yet. I don’t have a 4th one!

Now I have an appointment at the hospital today. How do I convince them that I really want the tooth removed under general? I KNOW I’m BU, and that people have teeth out every day but this is my ‘thing’. I’d rather leave it in and suffer tooth problems! Well ok, I wouldn’t, it bloody hurt more than labour.
AIBU to ask how I can convince them?

OP posts:
HopefullyAnonymous · 15/08/2018 10:23

I’ve had one out under conscious sedation. You’re not aware of anything, I have no memory of it whatsoever. I have severe dental anxiety.

cameltoeflappyflapflap · 15/08/2018 10:26

I've had all of mine out under sedation. I don't remember a thing.

I had severe dental anxiety.

Stickerrocks · 15/08/2018 10:30

I agree with the others that you should ask for sedation. I've had two removed that way. because I panic as soon as the dentist starts fiddling around. Also consider buying an anaesthetic throat spray, the sort of thing you can get in Boots for a sore throat. Squirt loads of that at the back of your throat and around the affected area before you see the dentist. it really helps with the gag reflex.

whywhywhywhywhyyy · 15/08/2018 10:35

It's been recommended this week that I have sedation because I burst into tears when I walked into the dentist's room Blush

Original poster
Samb79 · 15/08/2018 10:40

Thank you so much for your replies.

Can you hear anything with the sedation?

OP posts:
Original poster
Samb79 · 15/08/2018 10:41

A friend suggested ear plugs but tried to explain that the sound is inside my head, not external!

OP posts:
caseoftheexfiles · 15/08/2018 10:42

Can you ask for Instillagel? It’s a local anaesthetic that would numb the back of your throat and mouth. I was prescribed it for hemaroids (obvs very different) but you can use it in your mouth too I believe.

I know you’re scared but you will need to resolve the problem you’re having with your teeth.

I had my wisdom tooth out a few months ago and could only have a local anaesthetic because I was pregnant. Horrible but the alternative was worse

Bluelady · 15/08/2018 10:42

No idea as I can't remember anything about having mine out except that it was so fast my bottom barely warmed the chair.

KidLorneRoll · 15/08/2018 10:43

As others have said, ask for sedation. It doesn't knock you out, but you will not be aware of what is going on and you won't remember anything. You might be a bit fuzzy for a few hours afterwards so you'll need someone to take you home.

Plus, the first 5 minutes or so when it starts to kick in, and you are still aware of what is going on feels fantastic.

PositiveVibez · 15/08/2018 10:46

I was put under for a tooth out. It was fab.

Original poster
Samb79 · 15/08/2018 11:03

Great, thanks. If they won’t give me a general I’ll ask for sedation then. Hoping today is just a consult, nothing in the letter about an extraction.

I got the best appt time as well - 2:30 😜

OP posts:
Nikephorus · 15/08/2018 11:32

Could you wear an ipod - the sound from that should block out internal & external noise as well as distracting you?

vampirethriller · 15/08/2018 12:50

I had one out under sedation and I fell asleep! I don't remember a thing. Just the nurse showing me the tooth!

serbska · 15/08/2018 12:56

I had my wisdom teeth out under general. I went private. No fucking way was I having that done awake.

WatcherintheRye · 15/08/2018 13:05

I don't remember a thing. Just the nurse showing me the tooth!

Shock Envy (not envy!)

didyouseetheflaresinthesky · 15/08/2018 13:10

I had one done awake recently. I cried the whole way there but it was honestly fine. The panic attacks before were worse. They rocked it out instead of twisting it so there wasn't a crack like there normally is and I wore earphones so I couldn't hear anything over the music. I've had a normal molar out with conscious sedation and dont remember a thing. The dentist patted me on the knee, injected the sedative, said "don't worry love, it'll be a piece of piss." Put a cloth over my eyes and next thing I remember is walking out to the car.

Hillarious · 15/08/2018 13:18

I had one out with just a local. I'm a relatively calm person, but half way through it being extracted I just wanted the dentist not to continue and put it back where it was because the whole experience was so grim. However, I had anticipated it would take longer than it did to get it out, so it was over before I had too long to think about it. It was fine in the end, but I wouldn't want to go through it again, and I certainly wouldn't be telling someone else not to worry and that it would all be fine. (But of course, it will be fine in the end, it's just how you get to the end that's a bit grim!)

QueenOfMyWorld · 15/08/2018 13:18

I was sedated for a tooth extraction but I had to pay £90 private.This was several years ago so might be poss on NHS now

Disfordarkchocolate · 15/08/2018 13:23

I had one out last year and their first choice was a general anaesthetic. I opted for local anesthetic and it was fine, if I had your issues I would have made a different choice. They were very caring and used to people with dental phobias.

Scotinoz · 15/08/2018 13:39

I had all four out, at the same time, under IV sedation. It was marvellous. No idea if it's common practice in the UK as I was overseas with a private oral surgeon.

Anyway, needle in, drugs in, felt like I necked a bottle of wine and was gloriously pissed, then I woke up sans teeth 😀 Highly recommend it!

GrapesAreMyJam · 15/08/2018 13:47

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

NotSoThinLizzy · 15/08/2018 14:02

I'm so scared of the dentist and currently sat here feeling sorry for myself as I have toothache but I can't bring myself to do anything about it 😅 even the thought of calling them brings me out in shivers and feeling sick. Oh the joys

Original poster
Samb79 · 15/08/2018 15:39

Just back from appointment. No general, no sedation, just big girl pants and a local at the hospital in a months time. I cried.

OP posts:
blueangel1 · 15/08/2018 16:04

See if your GP will prescribe you a couple of Valium for the day of the appointment. It will take the edge off the anxiety. As pp have suggested, try an ipod to block out the noise.

The fact that the hospital have said that you'll be OK with a local suggests that it should come out quite easily, so although it might be a bit grim for a few minutes, it should be over quickly.

Good luck xx

Original poster
Samb79 · 15/08/2018 16:12

Thank you. I asked about Valium and he said that they rather you don’t as it negates consent 🤷🏻‍♀️
I’m just going to have to suck it up, take a deep breath and get on with it. He reckons it’ll come out pretty easily, that they’re experts at it and it’ll be over quickly, so that’s reassuring.

OP posts: