Dentists - why are we scared of them

[Ailsa]

I never used to be scared of the dentist, but for some reason, don't know what or why, over the last 12 months I've got really scared of going.

After having raging toothache all weekend I finally plucked up the courage to go to the dentist today.

I had to have a new set of records because they couldn't find mine and someone elses.

I've got 2 broken wisdom teeth which have to come out. It turns out that the wisdom tooth that isn't giving me any grief is the one that's worst.

I chickened out of having the painful one pulled today, but have got another appointment to get it sorted.

I'm glad I'm not the only one with bothersome teeth and a fear of the dentist. I confess that I did not get a check up for about 10 years but in the end had to go when I got an abscess(OOW!) Eventually, the dentist pursuaded me at the age of 40 to have some major orthodontic work which means I now wear a brace (or fixed appliance as I think they are called) on my upper teeth to close a big gap between my front teeth. dh says I now have permission to act like a teenager ......as if i needed encouragement!! Ayway after much deliberation I had the brace fixed last april whilst on maternity leave and am anticipating that it will be removed around a year from now. I am really looking forward to being able to smile properly and not with a closed mouth which i think makes me look quite aloof and unfriendly . It doesn't hurt but can be abit uncomfortable where the brace rubs the inside of the mouth. Without being too graphic I find it hard to give dh a really big snog because I'm afraid of getting his tongue caught in the brace......that woud be an interesting one at the A&E dept! You have to go to the dentist regularly( at the moment I go fortnightly ) so it is important that you like the person treating you and have confidence in what they are doing. It is quite expensive but I think will make a huge difference when done. Hope this helps anyone else thinking of that having similar treatment

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Still haven't called the dentist
Naughty - will think about doing it tomorrow!
Or maybe will chicken out and get dh to call and explain as he has already been to this dentist with dd ('Why doesn't Mummy go to the dentist, Daddy?).

Thanks all, the gap is ok, but the stupid bugger broke the tooth next door!

I've just come back from the dentist and I'm so depressed. Just prior to pregnancy number 1 I had a couple of fillings and after dd was born I had 2 crowns done and a wisdom tooth extracted. As dentists are not my favourite place I felt proud of myself for getting through this. Since this work was completed I am on pregnancy number 2 and went for my 6 month check today (the first since having the work above done). I've been told I need 3 fillings! I don't understand it, I brush 2-3 times a day, use a dental rinse and floss from time to time yet I still seem to need so much treatment compared to friends and family. Dh went to the dentist recently after a 10 year gap and only needed one filling! And he doesn't care for his teeth nearly as much as I do. Can anyone help me to know what I might be doing wrong and/or are some people more prone to tooth decay than others? Also can the need for three fillings occur in just 6 months (she did say that two of the fillings were just small ones and could wait till after baby is born).