Dental anxiety

I have anxiety about my teeth. I am very ocd about them. It's been 5 yrs since i have had issues and I have not been focusing on my teeth. Well it's back now and worse then it's ever been. It all started at the end of Dec., I found a bump on my gum...I went to a dark place I knew that ment I was going to loose that tooth. I refused to look in my mouth. I finally looked and yep, it was there. I made an appointment asap and then made another one for a specialist to see if it could be saved. Nope, I was right the whole time. I have cried every day since Dec. I set up for the extraction but I am beyond scared, I am terrified. I shake and cry that's my life. I have xanax .5 and plan on taking 2 (dr. Ok'd it). I am trying my hardest not to take it on a daily bases and am going to my dr. to get a everyday pill. It makes me feel weak and useless. I am back to just waiting on my teeth to hurt, that sounds so crazy to me but it's me. I wanted to go on a cruise this summer but now I cant, all the what if's as far as My teeth goes. Its just not logical. I do go to the dentist 2 times a year and always get whatever work needs to get done(I've have crowns, filling, rootcanals) so I take really good care of my teeth but extractions are just terrifying. I'm not sure if this is even the right place for me. I am scared my xanax woke work. I don't feel like people understand me, but the fear is debilitating. I have other anxieties, but this one i can't make since of it and asking the dr. to put me back on medication full time makes me feel bad, like I'm not strong enough to deal with things on my own (other than a xanax every now and then). There are so many people that have real problems and her I am crying b over my teeth. Thanks for listening.

Hello Tylerdallas: Yes, I am pretty compulsive about my teeth. It's a long story & I'll spare you the details. But I know where you're coming from with this. I see this is your first post here on PC. So... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit.

Thanks so much b for your reply

I'm scared of the dentist as well. I had my gums rebuilt a couple of years ago and they're still bleeding. The visits are absolute torture. And I have to go every three months because of the gums.

That being said, if you tell the dentist your concerns they will accommodate you. I know mine gives me Ativan before my visit. They also have nitrous oxide, but I have a bad reaction to that.

Welcome, Tylerdallas. and I think you and I must be twins separated at birth! You sound so much like me--I have "problem teeth" (to put it mildly, thanks to OCD!) and I am utterly petrified of the dentist. My dentist and hygienist have learned that no one gets anywhere near my mouth until I'm hooked up to the nitrous oxide aka "laughing gas"! And that's when they're only cleaning my teeth--totally routine stuff! So you can imagine how hysterical I get when anything more needs doing--they have to practically medicate me into a stupor in order to get me to sit still!! So please know (1) you are definitely not alone and (2) I totally sympathize--and I'm sure I'm far from the only one here who does! Dental phobia is extremely common and it is NOT FUN--but thank goodness dentists are finally realizing just how serious the problem is, so it's much, much easier these days to find dentists willing and able to help out ppl like us with a whole boatload of sedatives to get us thru those awful dental visits. (Just look up "sedation dentists" in your area--you'll be amazed at the number you'll find!) Hang in there, sending you warm hugs and best wishes from a fellow-sufferer!

Thanks so much. It's hard to deal with it. I broke down last night and went on about another tooth and after seeing 3 doctors and an endodontist, could not find anything. They seem to think its my sinuses, but I'm not having in issues with my sinuses. I finally said in done I want them all out and she said no I really don't want that and I was like yeah I do. I'm tired of worrying. No, she didn't take them out but I would love them gone. Thanks again for your reply. I am going to my general doctor and get them to prescribe me a everyday anxiety medication. I currently have xanax, but I need something everyday and I don't want to get addicted to it.

Thanks for the reply. I am just tired of issues. If it were up to me I would pull them all. It exhausting to let something completely ruin your life. Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Terrified of dentists
Don't ever go to them...
But things are getting bad
May have no choice soon...
Very Very Scared.