Petrified of dentists but have no choice

Cookiee

Hi peeps

I have a HUGE!!! phobia of dentists. I had a very very bad experience when I was younger.

The problem is I am now struggling to eat as I have have hardly any teeth and my overbite is so big I struggle to chew solid food.

I know I am going to have to face going but even typing this is making me feel sick to the teeth :rotfl:

I know that when I see a dentist, they are going to make me feel stupid and awful about the state of my teeth and I just cant face it

The cost I can't even start to imagine. How much is a dentist visit anyway?

What do I do? I need some advice please from peope who have gotten over this fear and how they have managed to get their teeth fixed...

thanks :A

brook2jack

You know really what you have to do .. see a dentist. Tomorrow start asking friends/ family for recommendations for someone they trust. Make the appointment and keep it.
There are alot of things that can be done to help you through treatment from tablets to sedative injections but none of this will happen until you take the first step.

Dentists see nervous people all the time. Dentists see people with neglected teeth all the time. You won't be the first or the worst. So tomorrow start asking everyone for recommendations and make that first appointment. Nothing will be done until you give consent and the first visit will just be checking around. Start making the difference for yourself now and start action.

Dawning

The only way to get over your fear is to confront it. You need to find a good dentist, let them know how scared you are, discuss how the dentist can help you with your phobia, and then embark upon a programme of treatment to sort your teeth out. If you choose wisely, the dentist will not make you 'feel stupid and awful' about your teeth.

I was always very scared of the dentist. I wont lie - I still get nervous before an appointment, even if it's only a check up, but if its been many years since you last saw a dentist I think you'll find that dentistry has changed massively since then. It's not like it used to be.

What exactly are you scared of? Is it fear of the drill, or fear of injections, or a general fear of the dentist hurting you, or all of the above? My personal hatred is of the sucky thing that the dental nurse puts in your mouth. I mean, I dont like any of the experience but that is the thing that I hate the most and I get panicky sometimes because of it. My dentist is fantastic and he always goes slowly, tells me exactly what he's going to do next - he's learned that if he makes any unexpected moves he's likely to get his finger bitten! :rotfl: And he stops often to ask me if I'm ok and if I need a break.

Ask around everyone you know and get some recommendations for a a good dentist. Thats the first step. The next is to make an appointment.;)

Edited to add - just seen Brookjack's response - there's a nice dentist for you who definitely wouldn't make you feel stupid and awful!

McKneff

I know that when I see a dentist, they are going to make me feel stupid and awful about the state of my teeth and I just cant face it

I promise they wont, it will be all in your head because, understandably, embarrassed about them.

Dentists these days are very sympathetic and its not half as bad as you are imagining it.

Can you imagine feeling so good about yourself when you finish the treatment, it will make you feel on top of the world
So think ahead.

Top band for dentistry is just over £200 so not too bad for a lovely smile.
Go for it, you really wont regret it.

Cookiee

My bad experience is that when I was about 10 I was given an injection to relax me. The dentist gave me too much and not enough anistetic (sorry can't spell is lol) and drilled the wrong tooth. He then thought it was appropriate to put his hands on my chest and the police was called. This then resulted in me being taken to hospital to be monitored and because he had done soo much damage I had to have 3 teeth all next to each other removed under a general.

So as you can see my experience has really scared me going to the dentist.

I know that I have to face my fear but it's knowing how to find a good dentist who will understand why I am scared becuase of the above. I went to a dentist once 5 years ago after I fell and cracked my tooth and I was sooo scared that I had a panic attack in the chair and ran out crying.

I am not in pain with my teeth, just the bleeding when I brush 3 times a day. I floss, have cut out on a lot of sugary foods and even get taken the micky out of sometimes because I am always flossing or have a mini mouthwash bottle in my bag.

How much does a dentist cost?

Cookiee

peachyprice

Would you feel more comfortable with a lady dentist?

Cookiee

Hi peachyprice - I think that would help but women dentist around where I am is like a needle in a haystack. There is one I have googled and they are private. I dont know anything about the practice nor would I be able to afford it I think ...

Can I go to a dentist somewhere where I dont live? Like my mums area?

strawberriesandcream

Hi Cookie,
Id like to add to what the other posters have said, I hate the dentist myself, and had avoided going until recently, until my boyfriend marched me down to his dentist! The dentist was lovely, I think lots of them nowadays understand that phobia of the dentist is quite common.

I ended up getting some work done whilst under a sedative, and I only remember getting the first few minutes and the last few minutes, so if youre scared, perhaps thats a option you could look into?

I felt the same as you for a long time, and the best thing I did was going down to the dentist and explaining how I felt, if you sit down and chat with them, they really are able to come up with the best option for you.

Hope I have helped

tanith

A dentist really won't want to make you feel bad about the state of your teeth, they have seen it all before many times... you just have to try and get over your embarrassment..I didn't think I would ever be able to go until I was more embarrassed by the state of them than by the dentist seeing them... please make an app tomorrow you just have to grit your teeth (sorry) and DO IT!!

teasleym

Cookiee, I too am petrified of going to the dentist. I moved to Kent over 10 years ago and would go back 100 miles to my dentist in my home town as he was the only one I could cope with seeing. I had an awful lot of dental work as a child and that is where my fear stems from.

My husband found me a dentist last year in our town, and I am still petrified of going. My dentist knows this and is amazed by the amount of work I have had done in the past considering he sees me upset and shaking in his chair.

I had my check up last month and took my husband with me, I was sure I needed multiple fillings as several teeth were hurting, but it appears I have been overbrushing them and my gums are hurt so I just need to use sensitive toothpaste and brush less. My husband was allowed to come into the room with me, and he explained to my dentist how afraid I was that day, so my dentist was particularly sensitive.

Could your OH or a friend help and come with you? I don't think I would have made it in there on my own. It might not be as bad as you think, mine wasn't but I will still be panicky and scared in 9mths when my next check up is but my husband will come with me again.

brook2jack

You can go to any dentist you like, but if you are nervous only go to a dentist who someone has recommended. Some dentists have a particular flair for helping nervous patients.

On the nhs the maximum you will pay will be £177 to £324 depending on where you live. If you are on low income/benefits you may not pay at all.

50% of the British population do not attend a dentist regularly ,you have it in your power to be one of the 50% who do.