Need the dentist but really hate it

[voleicecream]

I hate hate hate the thought of people messing about in my mouth. I'm terrified of sudden pain, not really bothered about local anaesthetic but in the past I've had it not work and I felt the pain of tooth extraction.

I pulled myself together and got what I needed about 5 years ago (wisdom tooth extraction and a filling) but haven't been since.
Now I've a huge hole and I'm sure it needs taking out and I'm just putting off phoning for an appointment

Are they going to judge me for letting it get to this and not going?
Help me stop being so ridiculous and book an appointment

Go for sedation. Does your town have a specialist clinic. You can pay private or get referred from NHS.

I used to be exactly like you and then one day had the most horrendous toothache I've ever experienced. It was so bad I attempted to knock myself out and I would rather do childbirth than go through that again.

It was a turning point for me, I was brave and found a lovely dentist who didn't judge me and was understanding of my fear and nerves. They did the work needed and honestly it was painless, I've had regular check ups ever since and no longer have a dentist fear at all.

Maybe ask around friends and family for a recommendation but please make the call, don't let yourself get into pain.

I’m the same - I’m desperate to go but worried about the amount of work I need doing and I just know I will need teeth taking out. I suffer with anxiety which makes things worse. Hope you are ok

Thank you. The stupid thing is the dentist I went to was so understanding and lovely. It is 100% me putting this on myself, I need to just bite the bullet. I will ring them tomorrow

I so get this! I've successfully avoided the dentist for years, but I know a lot of work needs doing. My problem is I'm about to be prescribed a drug as part of my treatment for breast cancer that affects bone density and my oncologist is insisting that I get dental treatment before starting it. I don't even have a dentist and I have no idea how to find one that is right for me. Plus you hear all the stories about there being no NHS dentists and I certainly can't afford a private one. ☹