Broken tooth and panic attacks

[SableGrape]

I've broken a tooth and it's getting increasingly painful. I really need to see a dentist but I have PTSD and panic disorder and really struggle in any situation where I feel trapped (being in a car is particularly bad)

My GP isn't willing to help by prescribing something more than my current meds (propranolol and sertraline). He made me feel like I was drug seeking when in reality I absolutely hate take any medication.

I absolutely do not want to try the dentist and have a panic attack because it knocks me back so badly. I don't know what to try next but I also can't live with this broken tooth any longer. I'm also having to use a local emergency dental service because my NHS one closed during COVID and I haven't been able to find another one so can't ask them for help.

My private dentist happily prescribed diazepam when I told them I suffered from severe anxiety. Why don't you ask them? They are more likely than the GP to do it.

I can't afford to go private unfortunately. It's £95 just to book an appointment here, then hundreds for treatment and I don't have the money. It cost me over £500 for a single wisdom tooth removal a couple of years ago.

I have been phobic about the dentist in the past. I think what helps is to reframe it to think that the dentist is going to help you relieve the pain. I had a cracked tooth that my dentist found hard to see but he was so helpful and was worried I had some nerve disease in my face as at first he couldn’t find the cause of the pain. Also had a root canal under the influence of nitrous oxide (Laughing gas), that was actually quite pleasant but expensive!! I’m actually going to the dentist tomorrow and I really like her, she’s very kind.

Can you ask to be referred to your local community NHS dental phobia clinic ? After scaring multiple dentists with seizures and faints I got referred to the phobia clinic and they were amazing with me.

I now go private to a different dentist who is amazing but now have private dental cover.

Good luck I had a broken tooth for nearly two years due to walking through the door and either falling/fainting or seizing before I got to the chair.

You poor thing, the dentist is horrible. Have you tried putting earphones in and listening to something relaxing whilst in the chair? Also I would switch GPs if they’re going to be so dismissive of you reaching out for help!

I'm not scared of the dentist at all. It's the feeling of being trapped anywhere that's the issue.

How will you be trapped though? Would it be helpful to have the dentist chair in a more upright position?

Because I can't leave if I need to. I'm exactly the same in the car or social situations where I can't go home when I start getting anxious. At my worse I was having panic flashes while stopped at traffic lights in the car! (I stopped driving until it was better after that)

Would treatment under general anaesthetic help or would that cause even more panic/loss of control? You could always ask your gp to refer you to your nearest dental hospital if you thought general anaesthetic could help.

Not ideal but you can get temporary fixes for broken teeth on Amazon.

My dentist tells me to put my hand up if he needs to stop for any reason, if you explained before hand and had a sign that meant stop and you could get out of the chair perhaps that would help. I do understand, I can't fly, struggle with lifts or places I can't get out of........its a control thing rather than claustrophobia, I need to know I can exit wherever I am.

I'm with an NHS dentist and I got a 2mg diazepam to calm me before tooth extraction.

For me, I would want the tooth fixed over worrying about having a panic attack (and yes, I also have them).

You can do this.

I don't really have control over them unfortunately.

I found hypnotherapy extremely effective, not for the dentist but something similar.

My daughter developed agoraphobia and it was two years before she could get back into the dentist. Is there anyone who can do some exposure with you. Eg start by driving to dentist, then walking in and walking out, then sitting in waiting room and walking out. So that you tell your brain it’s safe and you can get out if you need to?

Fair enough. Well no it's not fair at all is it. I hope things improve for you x