Need front tooth extracting. TERRIFIED

[Lols6457]

So about ten years ago I knocked a front tooth out and chipped the other. It also caused some trauma to my jaw bone on the front tooth that remained. I gave birth in September and bit on the gas and air so hard that about two days later I had agonising tooth pain that went all the way up to my eye. That whole side of my face swelled up and bruised TREMENDOUSLY. The pain was worse than my Labour 😭. I ended up going to A&E because I physically could not cope with the pain and parent a new baby at the same time. The stress even made my milk supply completely disappear. They said I had re-traumatised the tooth and jaw and it had caused an infection. I was given some antibiotics which worked after about a week. But since then my remaining front tooth has not felt the same. It doesn’t hurt at all. It just feels VERY different. The gum above it is extremely inflamed but I’m in no pain. I have a feeling it needs to be removed but because of my fear of the dentist ever since the accident ten years ago, I am absolutely terrified of going to see them. I know it needs removing as the gum just looks so aggravated by the tooth. And I can’t use my front tooth to bite into anything as I’m worried about hurting it again. But I am terrified. I genuinely don’t think I’d be able to step foot in the door of the dentist to even get the help I need. Does anyone have any kind of advice. I know it sounds completely ridiculous and irrational. I just don’t know what to do. I don’t want to leave it until it becomes painful but I also can’t get over my fear. I had a tooth removed when I was younger and it took her over two hours and I was in tremendous pain during.

I what happens to the one that you knocked out in the original accident?

If I understand correctly this is the chipped tooth.

No dentist (I hope) will take a tooth out without your consent. It might not need taking out even, but it needs X-rays.

Call the dentist and tell them you are nervous and do not want to have any treatment that day just want a diagnosis.

When you have a diagnosis then you can go away and thin that through too.

Go in find out what is wrong have drugs for the actual treatment you won't usually get treatment on day one its planned so you will have time to go to the Dr's ask for valium or find a dentist that will sedate you

Poor you. That sounds horrendous.

I have had a couple of teeth extracted in the last few years and I can tell you that while an extraction isn’t much fun, it is nothing like as traumatic as what you have already been through. Not even close.
I’m no expert, obviously, but I would suggest that if the tooth itself is healthy and the jawbone is sound, it may not need to be extracted, and the gum might need treatment, but you won’t know that until it has been x-rayed. That is a completely painless, non-traumatic procedure which doesn’t require any injections or drilling or anything nasty at all. That’s your first step. Get it looked at , get it x-rayed, then you will know what you’re actually dealing with and you can make a plan from there. Good luck.

Thank you everyone. I’m going to call in the morning and ask them to look at it. Fingers crossed you’re right and it’s just a gum issue and the tooth itself is fine. You have all really helped to calm my nerves so thank you so much!! The one that got knocked out was never found again so I currently have a bridge attached to the one that remains!

I’m glad you’re making an appointment. Remember, nothing is going to happen to you on the first visit, you’ll be examined, x rays taken, the dentist will discuss the results and any ongoing treatment needed. Explain to the dentist about your accident and your resulting fear of dentists.
I had a phobia about dentists from a horrible experience when I was eight. Didn’t go near another one for ten years until I really needed to see one. I was a shivering wreck when I went in. My dentist was so sympathetic, he showed the equipment, showed me how the drill worked, explained everything. He was lovely, calm, unhurried and this calmed me down.
I had a filling recently and I was waiting for the injection to happen, he’d already done it and I didn’t even know!
My dentist now is Romanian, he chats about Romania and tells me places to visit if I ever go there. (Got a bit of a crush on him)

Completely sympathise. I had to have a tooth out this year and I am not a good patient.

I had an initial assessment with an nhs dentist who checked what I needed so confirmed extraction then discussed my anxiety issues and agreed I needed sedation.

Then met dental surgeon who again assessed the need for extraction and checked whether I needed anything else done since I'd be sedated. Booked in as day case in local hospital.

Went to hospital was given some very nice drugs, was not unconscious but no anxiety (my main issue) or pain.

Extraction took about ten seconds, no bruising or swelling

It was quite a long wait - six months for initial consultation then two weeks for assessment two weeks to meet surgeon for weeks to extraction- like you, I was not in pain but had an initial abscess so a bit anxious but it was all good

I didn't have a dental plan and couldn't afford private. NHS, with all the care detailed above, cost £66