realling scared

splicecom

Im 21 and I am so scared of the dentist. My mother never took me to the dentist or encouraged me to brush my teeth as a child so as a result when I was 12 I had about 8 teeth removed. I hated it and was in so much pain for weeks I was having nightmares for months after. Last year I got to the point where I realised that I HAD to start going to the dentist. It took me 9 months to find a NHS dentist and went for a check up last night.

I need -

8 x Composite fillings
1 x Root Canal filling
3 x Amalgam fillings
2 x Extractions

This is going to be done over 4/5 appointments. I know I need it done. I brush my teeth 2 sometimes 3 times a day. I do not smoke. I just can't believe I need so much work and I have let my teeth get like this.

Has anybody else been in a similar situation?

Thanks,
Splicecom

Stompa

I had a bad experience at the dentist when I was younger, which meant that I didn't go again for about 20 years. When I finally did pluck up the courage and go (forced to by excrutiating toothache), it turned out to be not too bad an experience after all. I think the mind plays tricks and you end up thinking it'll be much worse than it actually is.

I'm usually pretty sensible, but not going was a really stupid thing to do, and something that I shall always regret.

Good Luck!

Toothsmith

I don't quite understand what you're asking.

In one bit you say you know you need it doing, but then a few sentences later you say that you can't believe you need so much work.

If you're being seen on the NHS in England or Wales, then the cost for all that should be around £45.

There is absolutely no incentive for a dentist on the NHS to do more work than is necessary - in fact, I must declare myself surprised that you have found one to take you on and do all that for £45 at all!

splicecom

The cost is £45. I am worried about the work not the cost.
I just wanted advice about how I could relax, how much treatment to expect in each appointment, how much it hurts, how long it should take to complete.

I know I should have asked my dentist at the time but I was in too much of a state and I wanted to get home without bursting into tears.

Toothsmith

It shouldn't hurt at all.

It sounds like you have a decent dentist there, and they should easily be able to get you through it all.

Getting through the front door for the first time really is the hardest and most stressful thing. Once you've done that, it really is all downhill.

splicecom

Typically would a dentist do tooth extractions or fillings first?

Toothsmith

As a rule of thumb, I would generally do extractions first - but that's a hugely variable thing depending on the patient and the treatment plan.

I would ring up and check things like that out with the practice you're going to.

splicecom

Do they give you an injection to numb the area? Scared of needles too! Think I need to grow some balls!

McKneff

If you explain to the dentist how afraid you are they will treat you accordingly.

Ask him if he normally rubs paste (or something) on the area to help the injection not hurt as much.

It really is a piece of cake and you'll wonder why you worried so muc.

And the bonus is you'll look like a film star when your finished.

miamoo

My daughter went to the dentist around 12months ago, and we had the most awful experience. She was having a tooth out and was scared and upset. The dentist was horrible, he told her to stop crying because it would take longer and hurt more (she was 11) which just made her more upset. I managed to calm her down enough for him to finish the treatment, but she hasn't been to the dentist since, and is terrified.
I need to find a nice patient dentist, but its hard enough to find one at all in my area.

miamoo

And I asked if they would use the numbing cream, and he said we dont use that anymore. Is that true?