Dentist - I'm terrified!!!

Ravenlady_2

Im ok with the dentist as long as they numb me right up. Injections I am ok with now after a sneaky dentist lied to me and told me he just had some cream on his finger and held on to my gum whilst he sprayed some disinfecting fluid in my broken tooth.

That was the injection and I didnt feel a thing.

The thing I dont like is feeling any sort of pain, my teeth are so sensitive even using the water jet makes me wince in pain, my teeth are in a fairly bad state but Eucryl removes a lot of stains and oraldine mouthwash helps with manky gums, I also started flossing daily and using a little scraper to chip away at the plaque on the backs of my bottom front teeth.

Water piks are brilliant too (if used with warm water, for those with sensitive teeth)

FBaby

I've been there. Terrified of the dentist and letting things get worse. Unfortunately, it then get to the stage that it wasn't so much the fear of pain that kept me away but the fear of total embarassement to have teeth in such bad health. I kept telling myself that I needed to do something about it because it was only getting worse. Even when I got a new partner who is very particular about teeth, I procrastinated. Then one day, I bit the bullet. I registered with a dentist and went for it. I'd never felt so sick for over 24h before. When he saw me, he right away picked up that I was a wreck and asked what was wrong, so I told him. He told me not to worry, that he had indeed seen worse, than my teeth were actually quite in good heath but for the four that needed taken out, and that I shouldn't be embarassed. The second i got over the embarassement, i was ok. In the end, nothing he did hurt, he then referred me to hospital to have my teeth taken out, I opted for local anaesthetic rather than general as I wanted to be in and out, regretted it before I went, but once again, the dentist was absolutely lovely, everybody reassured me, both in terms of my fear and embarassement and I felt no pain at all. I decided that from now on I would always looked after my teeth. Unfortunately, my finally found trustworthy dentist left so had to register with a new one (had moved town too in the meantime), so again, I bit the bullet and made an appointment for my annual check-up, was pretrified again before going, but he too was pleasant and actually told me my teeth were very healthy which I think did the trick... I think I might actually be over my fear now...

Go and do it, you will feel so much better afterwards. I hope you find someone you are ok with. Who are your hubby and your kids registered with? Would they take you on the NHS?

squif33

I always reccomend taking an mp3 player with you, put the headphones in, put some favourite music on, sit back and try and concentrate on the msic rather than what is happening. I've reccomended this to several friends who also have a phobia of the dentsist and it's got them through every time!

Hope this helps!
Claire

sarahlou89

I could have wrote exactly what you have just written.
I'm the same I am absolutly terrified of dentists, think it all stems from been a child and having an allergic reaction to something whilst in the chair.
As soon as I turned 16 I stopped going to the dentist ( now nealy 22) and have recently made my first visit this week .

Was suffereing with really bad toothache and I knew I had to go, my fiance and his mum came with me to make the appointment and I told the receptionist of my concerns, she then made me another appointment for me to meet with the dentist so he could put me at ease.

Well Tuesday was my check up, I was literally crying, shaking and been sick. I have never been so scared in my life. Do need a little bit of work but nothing major just 2 fillings but it was not half as bad as i expected. The dentist was lovely, really calmed my nerves and it feels like a weight has been lifted now i have took that first inital step.

Do tell the dentist of your nerves and how you are feeling, they shouldnt laugh, they will see it all the time.

brook2jack

Ravenlady wrote: »

The thing I dont like is feeling any sort of pain, my teeth are so sensitive even using the water jet makes me wince in pain, my teeth are in a fairly bad state but Eucryl removes a lot of stains and oraldine mouthwash helps with manky gums, I also started flossing daily and using a little scraper to chip away at the plaque on the backs of my bottom front teeth.

Water piks are brilliant too (if used with warm water, for those with sensitive teeth)

The reason your teeth are so sensitive may have alot to do with the fact you use eucryl. It not only wears away stain it wears away enamel. It is one of the most abrasive toothpastes on the Market. I would only use it for cleaning the grouting on bathroom tiles.

Use a tooth paste for sensitive teeth ,there are even sensitive ones for stained teeth. Brush your teeth then spit DON'T rinse as rinsing out washes away the tooth paste and doesn't allow it to sit on the teeth and do it's work. Rub toothPaste onto the teeth that are really sensitive. Stop using mouthwash ,despite the ads it does nothing to prevent gum problems and it washes away the toothpaste, which if you use one for sensitive teeth will reduce sensitivity.

MarilynMonroe_2

Awww good luck, I know what its like.
When I go to get mine cleaned I have to do it in 2 visits and get 6 injections each time! when most people just get the lot done with no injections!

I've had an absolute horror sadist of a dentist before and lookign back I should have reported him cos no one should be made to feel THAT scared!

My dentist now is very understanding - great bedside manner - hope you get your teeth sorted and can fight the fear!

belfastgirl23

Just to say it really isn't unusual to feel what you're feeling, but believe it or not it is possible to get better. I was much the same about dentists, spent years avoiding them, scared stiff, shaking, sleepless nights before going in etc etc. Now truthfully I can forget I've got an appointment till I look at the calender and notice it. so you do feel like this right now but it is possible to get past it.

I think dentistry has come along an awful lot in the last 10 years or so, dentists are properly trained to treat nervous patients and are relatively understanding about people feeling like this. Also painkilling injections etc, honestly the worst I've had over the last while was at the hygenists when they use cold water to rinse around the teeth - I haven't had an actual treatment that hurt in years. Though I have had injections that numbed my mouth for half a day

So don't be afraid to say you're a nervous patient. And is it possible to see another dentist in the NHS practice? Also my top top tip is to use Rescue Remedy before you go in - it really does help to calm you down.

Oh and in terms of the sensitivity issue I didn't realise what brook2jack is saying about leaving the toothpaste on until relatively recently. It really does help with sensitivity, I have noticed a big difference since I've been doing it. All sainsbury tooth stuff is half price at the minute and their sensitive toothpaste is quite nice and works just as well as sensodyne. The boots own brand one is ok as well, the tesco one less so...

Lots of luck tomorrow. Remember you will be walking on air afterwards you'll be so delighted with yourself for being so brave!!

Ravenlady_2

brook2jack wrote: »

The reason your teeth are so sensitive may have alot to do with the fact you use eucryl. It not only wears away stain it wears away enamel. It is one of the most abrasive toothpastes on the Market. I would only use it for cleaning the grouting on bathroom tiles.

Use a tooth paste for sensitive teeth ,there are even sensitive ones for stained teeth. Brush your teeth then spit DON'T rinse as rinsing out washes away the tooth paste and doesn't allow it to sit on the teeth and do it's work. Rub toothPaste onto the teeth that are really sensitive. Stop using mouthwash ,despite the ads it does nothing to prevent gum problems and it washes away the toothpaste, which if you use one for sensitive teeth will reduce sensitivity.

My teeth have been sensitive all of my life, I only started using eucryl a few months ago.

MarilynMonroe_2

Best thing for sensitive teeth is dont use the cold tap when you brush them. I always use the hot water otherwise they are set of on edge.

brook2jack

Ravenlady wrote: »

My teeth have been sensitive all of my life, I only started using eucryl a few months ago.

But eucryl will make it much worse and using a sensitive toothpaste in the way described ie spit don't rinse, don't use mouthwash after and rub sensitive toothpaste on the most sensitive teeth will make things much better. Your current regime will make sensitivity worse.