First dentist appointment in 15 years

[ToothHurtyAppointment]

I know…I am a big silly baby.

I have dental trauma and extreme anxiety from having extractions and braces as a teen.

15 years ago I had root canal and a crown and it was absolutely fine, so I don’t know why I’ve been a massive scaredy cat.

Anyway. I’ve done it. I’ve booked an appointment for tomorrow at lunch time. No time to be scared!

Will it be horrific? Yes
Am I ashamed and deeply embarrassed? Yes
Am I proud of myself for taking the first step today after years of making appointments only to cancel them? Yes

I I got this! Any handholds though would be so so so appreciated. I’m so scared, gah.

You got this.

I didn't go to the dentist for 17 years, then found one who I could give a go (I was a support worker and he was a private dentist who was recommended for my clients for being good with anxious patients and those with autism - I decided to try him too!).

I still struggle and was meant to have a check up yesterday that I had to cancel, but being able to go sometimes it better than not at all.

It's not the pain for me, it's the feeling trapped.

I try to remind myself:

You can leave whenever you like.

You're never going to be trapped there and they will never do anything you do not consent to.

They were very nice when it was too much for me yesterday and rescheduled for me.

Thank you for sharing that, it has given me hope. Sorry to hear you had to cancel. I’m hoping you can rearrange and go through with your next, but I agree, sometimes is better than nothing. Well done to you for being so brave.

I think my fear stems from being judged. I’m so ashamed. I also get the claustrophobia too. We got this x

Big handholds here, you can do it! This was me a few months ago. The dentist was nice enough to chat on social media a bit in advance so I could explain when I meant I was terrified, I meant I was TERRIFIED and when I said I hadn’t been for ages, I also meant it. But they were great, very focused on health and how I was looking after my teeth (which I was), and I’m now part way through a treatment plan. It has been nowhere near as bad as I feared and it’s so nice not to live with The Fear.

Good luck!

@CatStoleMyChocolate ah that is so so great, well done you! So reassuring too, thank you!

I was pinned down as a child, I'd got hysterical when the dentist had tried to inject me, so I had a filling done with no anaesthetic.
The dentist cut my gum and cauterised it.
It's left me with a lifelong terror of dentists, and only going when I'm in agony.
I now see a wonderful lady dentist, she numbs my gums before injecting and is super fast with any treatment.
@ToothHurtyAppointment big handhold from me, and hopefully you'll get a dentist as lovely as mine!

Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry you had to go through that, how awful. Well done for taking those steps and for finding someone so wonderful. I’m hoping my dentist will be just as lovely as yours. Thank you!

Until 2 years ago I had not been to the dentist for 12 years due to similar circumstances. The dentist could not have been kinder and more encouraging - no lectures. I left feeling positive and without shame and have since had treatment including a root canal and go for regular check ups without difficulty. Before my first appointment I did practice some relaxation techniques which did help me prepare. Good luck with your appointment.

That’s so good to hear, well done to you x

Update: I had my appointment, I did it!!!!!!

Well done! Bet you feel great 😊 I’ll keep rereading this until I’ve plucked up the courage to do the same!

Op...I hadn't been to the dentist for 12 years...I went two months ago. I wasn't scared as such, I'd just ended up putting it off and the longer i left it the harder it became to book an appointment. Anyway I finally went. I saw a hygienist and had them fully cleaned and had a dental examination and one minor filling. It was fine and I felt so much better afterwards

Well done! That’s great news. If you need treatment, what works for me is to take headphones and listen to something to block out the noise. They are generous enough on the anaesthetic that I haven’t felt pain, only pressure - most painful part is the bill 😂

I'm massive scaredy cat with the dentist, I once had a full blown panic attack in the chair. Mine came from having a dentist that was a bit too happy to put fillings in and once hit a nerve. I found one about 12 years ago that was very good. He stopped doing normal dentistry recently so I had to find another as I didn't like his replacement.

I've just had periodontal treatment with my new dentist, the specialist was really good. The normal dentist was good, very patient and calming. Finding a good dentist is so nice.

I once went to an NHS dentist who said to me when I mentioned my fear "most people don't like the dentist" not helpful.

If anyone else is reading this, please speak to the reception staff about your fears on the phone when you book.

I am sorry for the trauma some of you have endured. Dentistry doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ll be thinking of you. Honestly, I’m so happy! I felt so ashamed for so long and really didn’t need to feel that way. I just want to tell the world that I’ve been to the dentist! Such a mundane thing, but huge for me. I really will be thinking of you and silently willing you on to pluck up the courage and make the first step. You have this ✨

Huge well done! You have done really well! I used to have dental phobia and only went when I absolutely had to. I had to have sedation just for a filling as I couldn't cope very well at all.

But 7 years ago I found a wonderful and understanding dentist. I go every six months now and pay monthly with Denplan. In those 7 years I have had a root canal and one filling. I just wear a sleep mask so I can't see the injections as the sight of them would make me jump out the chair! All my experiences with my current dentist have been positive. No pain and great care.

You have reminded me that I need to make an appointment for a check up.

Oh well done! I had my first in 10 years last year after my previous dentist moved to another city and I kept putting it off. I knew I was being silly and was very cross with myself, in the end even just finally booking the appointment felt like a weight lifted. I was very nervous on the day but it was fine, I let them know when I booked that I was very anxious and they couldn't have been kinder or gentler.

@ToothHurtyAppointment glad to hear it went well!

Thank you :-)

Update:

I had some dental work done at the end of last week to get my teeth back to full health. I had an extraction of an old root canal molar, and then some fillings in my wisdom teeth. I had the work done under twilight sedation (highly recommend!) as it was extractions for braces as a teenager that started this dental phobia. With those previous extractions, I was in agony for weeks.

Well, I’m 2 days post surgery and there is zero pain!! I honestly cannot believe it.

One huge thing though, is I feel one million percent better/healthier since having that molar which had a root canal extracted. Obviously my body has spent the last 15 years fighting a low level, systemic infection, which took its toll on my health. I seemed to always be lethargic, low level depression etc, but since Friday, I have just felt like me again! No aches or pains anywhere in my body, no constant tiredness, my mood is great.

So here I am going down rabbit holes looking at links between root canals and poor health.

Anyway, just wanted to update you and give anyone a little nudge and gentle encouragement to book that appointment, as this is the best thing I have done this year - and it’s been a great year!

Again thank you 🙏