[riksie-dixie]

So... I'm back.

Ever since I first began posting here, everything's been fairly smooth with the occasional bump in the road. No problems, in terms of anxiety and dental health.

However, every time I have to go to the dentist, I feel terrified and nearly end up sick. I always think they'll find something wrong with my teeth, although the x-rays would say otherwise.

My dentist is excellent - my new one. He explains everything and makes me feel at ease. However, my fear is that he'll make the same mistake as my last dentist - finding something that he originally dismissed (which is why I have a deep filling and wisdom teeth removed).

I try to refrain from looking up what I think is wrong on the computer, but I've sadly ended up going back into the routine again. Thankfully, it hasn't caused much of a spike in my anxiety.

I've tried explaining this fear to my (now former) therapist, but, she said since I can still force myself to go, that it isn't technically a fear.

My other worry is that my anxiety will spike when I go away to college.

Any advice?

[Perna]

Your college anxiety thing reminded me of my worry about throwing up in college. I hate throwing up and was terrified I'd have to at some point in college and my mother wouldn't be there with the cold washcloth, etc. Of course, the actual experience, when it came, was much different. I forget that my imagination's machinations aren't anywhere need what the actual experience ends up being like? When I work to keep my imagination out of there I do better.

Eventually something is going to be wrong with your teeth or gums, etc. Wisdom teeth don't get "dismissed" they are there no matter what and sometimes have to be dealt with and sometimes not, sometimes the experience is okay and sometimes it his horrendous, no way to tell. You lived through the filling; which was worse, the experience of getting it filled or all the anticipation and worry before and after? I bet it's the worry and looking stuff up on the computer and "waiting" in case something is wrong? When I get to worrying too much I focus my mind "after" the event. If I have a dentist appointment on Tuesday, for example, I'll think about what I am going to do on Wednesday or next weekend or whenever or even just how relieved I'll feel then and that much more relaxed with it over.

[riksie-dixie]

I'm just worried about what I'll do if so-and-so happens.

My wisdom teeth were taken out and they needed to be since they were impacted, but it was still terrifying for me (aka I look up dry socket). The filling wasn't bad, it's just what the dentist said while filing it. When he first saw it on the x-ray, he said it was small (but I was having sugar sensitivity) Then, he said, "Oh, wow, that's deep". I paled so bad when he said that, and he never even told my dad (who was with me) that it was deeper than anticipated, which I personally find to be rude since my parents don't believe me on that.

That seems like a good idea. I have a lot of fun activities going on after that date, so maybe I could start doing that. Thanks!