Tooth needing to come out :(

elkay115

Ok I am really, really, really a wimp when it comes to the dentist. I am terrified of an injection in my mouth. I am terrified of the horrible numb feeling and I am terrified of all the drooling etc after. Since I was 18 I have never had an injection, I have only ever really needed small fillings so they have been done without injection. A year ago the dentist told me a tooth needs to come, I cried, so he put filling on top of filling basically. So here we are a year later. All the filling has just came out. So I have pretty much no tooth there and a big hole in the middle of it. I know I will now need to get it out. So will have to bite the bullet (or the dentist) on Monday and arrange to see him, but I am seriously in tears at the thought of it, I really am terrified!!!

Another problem is I am on benefits so get free treatment, but the dentist wants £18 from me for a missed check up appointment before they will give me any other treatment. The reason I missed the appointment is because for the past year I have been suffering from anxiety and the day the appointment was due was a day I just couldn't make myself go out the door. They expect 24 hours notice for a cancellation, but I couldn't do that because I didn't know the day before that I wouldn't be able to go out.

So basically, anyone know what my options are now regarding emergency treatment, and also can anyone please tell exactly what it is like to get a tooth out and if it hurts and how long you drool and bleed and feel horrible for after it?

Oh I am in Scotland, if that makes any difference to anything.

ailuro2

Go to your GP and talk about taking something to space you out a little before you go to the dentist, as long as you have someone with you it will help.

Intergalactic_Floozie

I can see why the dentist would want paying for the missed appointment, but maybe if you speak to the practice manager and see if you can get the fee waived, or at least to pay in installments (if you take proof of your benefits along), you don't get if you don't ask. Good luck, be brave!

elfen

Ok, I've had 2 teeth out quite recently.

If your dentist is any good, they can use numbing cream so you don't feel the needle go in, this is what I had done for one of mine. The numbing isn't too bad, it does last a couple of hours. When they take the tooth out usually all you'll feel is a little pressure (no pain) as they try and get it out, then a sense of relief when it's out (unless you're me, and there's the residue of infection underneath the root, which was a bit painful but needed pulling) They put a wad of stuff in to get the blood, I usually leave it in for up to an hour. You can't eat on that side, or eat a lot (soup, yogurt) and its recommended not to use a salt rinse for the first 24 hours so you don't dislodge the clot. Apart from that, and a little soreness where she'd ripped the gum open, it was fine.

Smits

Firstly i think your dentist is right to ask for the £18, you didnt notify them at all and just simply didnt turn up. You could explain to them why, but chances are they still want the money,

As for the treatment, trust me when i say it's not as bad as you think. I had to go to the dentist multiple times this year to have 2 fillings and one root canal. All needed injections and i was terrified. The root canal is supposed to be some of the most painful treatment. The injections really dont hurt that much, especially if you make a request to get some numbing gel on beforehand, which they can give. Just explain how scare you are and your dentist should try and make it as comfortable as possible.

Thats the most important part, explain how you feel. But please do go as leaving it will only make it worse.