[Cthomas]

Got a referral to see a dentist. I go every 7 years because im that afraid. I have delt with a lot of pain due to a childhood dentist. It has put the fear of dentistry in me.

well...flash forward to yesterday. I lost a tooth. a FRONT tooth!!!! Now i have to go. im making the appointment tomorrow and i am TerrifieD!!!!!!!

What can I do to ease the anxiety?

C

[lynn P.]

((Cthomas)) - I'm going to share something with you. I used to have very bad anxiety when it came to visiting the dentist. It all started when I was 6 yrs old. I remember sitting in the chair and unfortunately my mom was in the waiting room. When he was trying to look in my mouth, I gagged and he raised his hand above my head in a threatening way, as if he was going to hit me - I guess he thought this would prevent me from gagging. Anyway, after that I became very afraid of going to the dentist.

Everytime I would go, I would literally shake. I also had a negative experience with an impacted wisdom tooth because the idiot should have sent me to an oral surgeon but he opted to try and take it out himself - I was there all day...it's a long story so I won't get into it. One time when I was 20, I suffered 5 yrs with pain - every time I would drink anything cold/hot - I would get a shooting pain. I needed a root canal and finally got it, but I shook the whole visit.

A few years later my husband became friends with a dentist and I've been seeing him happily ever since. I still don't like going but I'm 98% better than I used to be. I even went through braces in my 30's and major jaw surgery. I'm sharing all this with you, to let you know you're not the only one who had a total fear of going to the dentist. My story can also give you hope that you can improve too.

The great news is, most good dentists are better prepared to handle dentist anxiety now a days. The best thing to do is, tell them you have this fear. There are some dentists who actually advertise they're great in treating this problem. I now go every 6 months and now I feel relaxed. I'm still kind of afraid of the drill and that's why I take care of my teeth so well lol.

This is something you can overcome and you need to do this because dental health is so important to your overall health. Did you know that gum disease can actually lead to heart disease, premature labor and other problems. When you there, let them know you have this fear and hopefully they will accomodate you. Maybe you can take something to calm yours nerves before you go. Take some slow deep breaths and remind yourself this is good for your health. Good luck.

[Cthomas]

Lynn,

Thank you EVER SO MUCH! It does help to hear that others are as scared as I am. This is a referral from a friend who is also a chicken baby...LOL

Im hoping he has patience with me. As I am beyond afraid. I see him next week.

My teeth are horrible and need help. I would like to get them finished.

Thanks again....will post after the first visit...

C

[Gus1234U]

dear Thomas, FIRST tell the dentist that you are Phobic! and may require sugar if your panic drains your blood sugar and you become cold and pale... Ask then to use warm water to wash out your mouth, even if they have to get it from the faucet, to prevent your being shocked. Ask if the dentist has music and earphones for you to distract yourself from what is happening, or perhaps you prefer to be told what is going to happen next... Take Control of your dental visit, Teach your dentist what you need, and Practice anxiety management skills: Watch your Breath, to keep aware of your level of anxiety; Count, on the out breath, to slow your breathing and heart rate (1001, 1002, 1003,, etc.); focus on something besides your thoughts, wiggle your toes and fingers, examine any pictures there may be, even look in your own mouth if it's reflected in the dentist's glasses. These are the things that helped me. I hope you find you have become so much stronger in the past 7 yrs, and that this is much easier than you are anticipating. Do let us know how it went~! best wishes,, Gus

Originally Posted by Cthomas

Got a referral to see a dentist. I go every 7 years because im that afraid. I have delt with a lot of pain due to a childhood dentist. It has put the fear of dentistry in me.

well...flash forward to yesterday. I lost a tooth. a FRONT tooth!!!! Now i have to go. im making the appointment tomorrow and i am TerrifieD!!!!!!!

What can I do to ease the anxiety?

C

[Cthomas]

Gus,

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! I never seem to be able to open my mouth and speak of the things you just said. I need to print your post out and take it with me. All great advice!

Wow you guys are great

Hope the dentist can measure up to that.

Colleen

[sundog]

I am very scared of the dentist too!! I hate being "trapped" in the chair with his hands in my mouth. I always feel very nervous and even physically ill. And that's just for my regular exam and cleaning! The anesthetic injections are a whole other story! I have a bad reaction to the anesthetic. It makes me feel EXTREMELY anxious and sick to my stomach, on top of the anxiety I'm already feeling.

I just want to let you know to ask your dentist about the different types of anesthetic. For example, any anesthetic with the word "-caine" at the end, contains epinephrine (adrenaline). This really does make your heart beat faster. And some people cannot tolerate this. Either because they have a heart condition, or because they have Panic Disorder (the adrenaline can bring on a panic attack). Therefore there is also a different type of anesthetic which does not contain epinephrine. I have to say, I even feel anxious with the other type of anesthetic, but at least I know that is in my head! Whereas lidocaine genuinely does make my heart beat faster. Also, I have to say that apparently this non-epinephrine containing anesthetic does not last as long as the standard anesthetic and is not as powerful. But your dentist can advise you about all that.

I also wanted to say that some people have to take a sedative to visit the dentist (Ativan etc) and I don't think there is anything wrong with that if the anxiety is really bad. Some dentists actually administer Valium as part of the injection when they are doing something major like a root canal. So there are options!!!!!! And intravenous sedation for major dental work is something I would definitely ask for personally!

As Lynn and Gus have said, it's very important to tell your dentist that you are phobic. Many, many people have this fear of dentists so dentists are well used to hearing this and many of them are especially equipped to handle very nervous patients.

Good luck to you!! ((((((((((((cthomas))))))))))))))

[Cthomas]

Thanks Sundog! Im starting to calm down a bit. (great news considering i dont see them till next week)

and i have to try to sleep at some point before then.

Im hoping this visit goes easier than ever.

C

[sundog]

I'll keep everything crossed for you!!! ((((((C)))))) Good luck!!!

[ana_rdh]

What can I do to ease the anxiety?

You can with Nitrous Oxide analgesia . Its a gas that is administered with oxygen and it makes you laugh. Its also called the laughing gas

[with or without you]

I have problems with this too, I had to have a lot of work done last year which required being in the chair several hours at a time. I closed my eyes, it really helped me.