Extreme Dental Phobia

[TinySteps21]

I’m after some support, success stories, anything really!
I have an extreme dental phobia. There’s some childhood trauma that sparked this. I’m in my 30’s and haven’t been to a dentist since my early teens. My teeth are in horrendous condition and I’m at the point now where it’s not just the phobia itself I’m battling but also worry over how much I’ll need doing, if anything even can be done etc.
I took an enormous step this week and emailed a dentist to enquire about an appointment, explaining that I’m phobic and may only be able to enter the room on my first visit. Fingers crossed they get back to me.
I’m tired of worrying that my teeth might randomly break or that I’ll get an infection. I’m tired of feeling so self conscious. The freedom that wearing a face mask has given me has been a bit of a push to get this sorted out if I’m honest. That and feeling like getting on top of it will be severing one more if the ties to my horrible, horrible childhood.
So, any words of wisdom? Anyone that’s managed to get over something like this? If you’ve ended up with full dentures at a young age, his was it? I’m assuming that’s the worst case scenario for me but really if you told me that I could be knocked out, wake up with dentures and be free of all this worry I think it would be a massive relief. And please don’t tell me that people can die from dental abscesses etc, I know and it really won’t help me.

Yep! I’m going to ask for an appointment on the understanding that I might just meet the dentist, with no expectation that I’ll sit in the chair.

Great! You can do it.

Hi, your post is quite old butt perhaps other people might be looking for the same reassurance so I thought I'd add a reply.

At half past two this afternoon I had 15 teeth extracted and I'm here now at half eight writing about it!

After a phobia from childhood I hadn't visited a dentist for 33 years. I had terrible teeth and gum disease which had entered my bloodstream and was making me generally unwell. I knew I had to go to the dentist but I was terrified. Also couldn't get on a waiting waiting list with any local NHS practices.

I eventually called a private practice which offered sedation and went for my first visit two months ago after a very tearful initial chat on the phone with a very kind receptionist. They offered me an hour long initial consultation free of charge.

The dentist was so kind, sat me down in an ordinary armchair and chatted for half an hour before he even looked in my mouth, and when he finally did he didn't touch my teeth at all. He said there was clear evidence of periodontal disease and that I was going to make myself very unwell if I didn't get it sorted. He didn't judge me, he was kind and funny and made me feel very comfortable.

We booked an x ray for a month later when the news was broken about ezaxtly6how much work I needed doing, and I've spent the last month absolutely terrified and the last week being sick every day with worry.

Anyway, I agreed to the treatment after he explained how the IV sedation would work.

When I got there today I sat in the waiting room with tears rolling down my cheeks, thinking I was going to run out at any minute, but the front desk staff were lovely and made me feel more relaxed just talking to me, and when I finally got into the treatment room the dentist was clam and reassuring and gave me loads of time. He took my blood pressure and chatted for a bit and then very slowly as I was ready started the IV. I don't remember anything else until they said they were going to get my partner from his car outside to take me home.

I had a little discomfort on the way home as the anaesthetic wore off, but we stopped to pick up the pain relief prescription on the way, and by 6pm I was eating some soup and feeling really quite OK!

The next visit next week will be fitting my dentures, and I understand that getting used to them might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but honestly I now know that the worst is over and it actually wasn't bad at all. At 54 years old, living with off and on pain, embarrassment, bad breath and low confidence, I'm kicking myself for not going earlier.

I hope this might inspire someone else who has let their intense fear make them ill for years as I did. Honestly, can't believe I had 15 teeth extracted just a few hours ago! Please go for it!