Dentist phobia going in 2 hours

[Newyoiker]

I tried to search for previous posts but they've all disappeared as they're in chat.

I'm shitting myself. I'm not going to cancel as I want to be pain free and get this stupid tooth fixed but I'm so nervous.

Do I eat? I'm going to take pain killers about 1 hour before, what if I start crying in the chair? Last time the dentist shouted over the drill not to be so stupid.

I know it's pathetic but please help me

Bloody hell your dentist sounds awful.
Can you grab the assistant before you go in and tell them how scared you are?

Then for next time change dentists! Good luck OP hope all goes well.

I have changed dentist! Sorry! Did it straight away 😂

Please tell me you’re seeing a different dentist this time?

I haven’t been for years and I have two broken teeth. You are doing so well to be going, hang in there. Tell them up front “I am terrified”. Ask if there’s anything they can do to help you relax. Most dentists should be very experienced at dealing with this!

i sympathise OP, hated dentists and didn't go for years ...finally got the courage and it was much better than i hoped, almost pain free (wisdom teeth extractions, root canals etc) and a really nice and friendly dentist, who put me totally at ease

i did research online a bit for a good, friendly dentist, sounds like yours is not ? do you have other options for the future ?

you can do it

Oh thank goodness! Tell the new one how scared you are and hopefully they will put you at ease.

Op, do you have earphones?..plug them in your phone, have some music or YouTube videos playing or an audio book playing, have the sound turned up loud so you don't hear anything...and close your eyes and just listen to the book/music/video while the dentist works on your tooth...you won't feel anything (ask them to use plenty of the numbing injection to make sure)...and you are in complete control, dentists usually say if you want them to.stop to make an agreed sign so they know to stop (it's usually raise your hand)...

Tell them you feel nervous so that they can take that into consideration while treating you...

Usually you are told not to eat solids straight afterwards until the numbness wears off incase you loosen the filling or accidentally bite your tongue and if you are having a drink be careful with hot liquids as you may not feel how hot they really are and scald your mouth..

Op you will do great, I'm not a fan of the dentist but if you distract your mind (with headphones and music/audio book etc)..it will soon be over before you realise it

Op if you take painkillers before hand make sure you let them know so that they are aware of any/all medication you are on or have taken today..

Get yourself a new dentist - I used to have a very scary non patient dentist lady and I needed a filling. I ended up camcelling and re-arranging for a whole year (yes pathetic I know) but I'm just terrified of needles. So eventually I ended up busrting into tears over the phone to the receptionist and she suggested changing me to one of the other dentists. Went to see him and he was so so lovely and patient. He explained all he was going to do and put some of the the gel on my gum that freezes it then poked my gum with an instrument to see if I could feel it. He then booked me in for a weeks time so I could psyche myself up to it. On the day he was so lovely again and explained absolutely everything he was doing. I can now get a filling no bother as he made me feel so at ease.
So I'd suggest phoning and speaking to a receptionst/manager and ask if they can swap you to someone else.

Not helpful for now, but for the future I get valium for my dentist appointments. Helps everyone, dentist and me!

So the horrible dentist was at the out of hours on a bank holiday Monday in May, he was horrible. Didn't seem to care why I was upset or why I had issues with my teeth. He put a temp filling on which was grim. Then I moved house and found a dentist literally across the road from me in the village and they do nhs appointments. I've called them and told them I'm nervous and probably will cry, she's put me in with a dentist who is good with nervous patients apparently. I have noise cancelling headphones and I think I'll listen to Harry Potter. :)

I don't want to go but I need to get it sorted and I know it will be over today. Whereas if I leave it it will just keep getting worse and worse.

Will they treat my tooth if it's got an abscess? Or will it be a prod and more antibiotics?

Tell dentist up front you're scared. Ask how to let them know that you need a break (usually raise a hand). If you need an injection, breathe slowly and count slowly to 60 - it will be over long before that, and from then on you won't feel anything.

Most dentists don't find it easy to work on a twitching patient, so having you calm is in their interest.

For the future, attend regularly for your checkups (remember they're not a problem as they won't do any work on a checkup appointment), go to hygienist if you can, but most important ask current advice about cleaning and follow it - it really does make a difference as to how much future treatment you'll need.

I'm terrified, forced myself to go 3 months ago and I'm waiting for a referral. I nearly cried in the waiting room and did have a little cry in the chair. It was a first appointment and the dentist was lovely, she told me exactly what she was going to do and told me to raise my arm if I wanted her to stop.

Maybe you could agree a sign with the dentist so if you need them to stop then they will? I didn't need to use it but just knowing that I could helped a bit.

I think they treat the abscess with antiBs first and then the actual tooth fixing later.

You've done really well to actually go ahead with the appointment and you'll feel so much better afterwards. It's only a few minutes out of your day and then you can get on with things.

Good luck!

Good luck from another dental phobe!

Taking some painkillers beforehand is probably a good idea, also ask for anaesthetic needles. I'm more frightened of dentists than needles and it's reassuring knowing I won't feel anything. It's good to take a bottle of water with a straw for afterwards as it's hard to drink when you're all numb and you will be thirsty.

The emergency dentist sounds awful, hopefully this dentist will be better. It's good to build up something of a relationship with a dentist to reduce fear for future visits. Also, a regular dentist will know that you are scared and hopefully take steps to ease that fear.

If you have an abscess, they will usually drain it and sometimes give you a script for antibiotics. Just think what a relief it will be tonight when the pain has eased. That's one good thing about dentists, the relief is usually immediate.

I did it! Was there for nearly 2 hours. I've been referred to the hospital for 2 complicated wisdom teeth extractions. I didnt cry!!

Well done you!!!

So happy! Honestly they were wonderful ❤️

That is great op, you did really well,

Bravo! Well done confronting the fear

O you poor thing your dentist sounds like a pig. Change him. Going myself in 4 hours. Try to be calm, its the anticipation that's worst. All dentists expect terrified patients and are trained to deal with us, so definitely sack him. After he's fixed the tooth tho! Good luck.

Well done