Dental Phobia

I have a molar that is doing the same thing - very sensitive to cold & heat and it already has a filling in it. Last visit to the dentist confirmed that the tooth has tiny cracks. I am putting a floride gel on every night, but it is not helping. My dentist knows how much I hate to have dental work done and so was hoping that the floride gel would help. I brush with warm water and try and keep the tooth as clean as possible until I can get an app't to get the thing capped. I don't want to wait too long or else it will turn into a root canal. Its the worser (is that a word?) of two evils.. get a cap or get a root canal. I'm thinking the cap will be less uncomfortable.

Keep taking deep breaths and call your dentist. Is there a friend who can go with you ?? Knowing a friend is waiting for you in the waiting room might help. And who knows, maybe just the filling has a leak - which means the tooth needs refilling but is not as intense as a cap or root canal.

Make an app't as soon as you can. Usually, the dentist looks at the situation firsts and then if work is needed, you have to come back. Go and find out. I'm thinking that finding out for sure will relieve some anxiety. Its the not knowing that is tough to tame.

Good luck and I hope it turns out OK for you.

I have a Dental Phobia also. I just about panic when I have to go. My gag reflex is horrible. I have TMJ so having to hold my mouth open causes my jaw to hurt for two days. I get panicy just calling the dentist. I have to have lots of gas to relax me or I start crying and go into panic mode. I guess it is the fact that I am in a chair, I can't get up, I have someone holding my mouth open, they are gaging me.

I have found also if the noise of the drill bothers you, take a cd player with headphones in and listen to it and when they drill turn it up loud to drown out the sound. then when they stop, turn it down so you can hear the dentist....... it works!!!

I've got a dental phobia self-help website (http://www.dentalfearcentral.com/) and a support and discussion forum (http://dentalphobia.proboards27.com/) - anyone is very welcome. It was meant to be targeted at serious dental phobia sufferers (as in, you cannot even begin to imagine ever seeing a dentist and would rather be dead - no exaggeration!), but dental anxiety or specific dental fears are fine, too - wouldn't want to be too exclusive, LOL ! If anyone feels they're affected by these issues (especially at the more hard-core end), please drop in!

Hi,
Are you a dentist?

I've always wanted to do a research study on how much education dentists get about phobias while they're in school.

It seems most don't understand the definition of "phobia."

Well, I'm only 53, so I haven't seen EVERY dentist, but every one I've seen except one, was more annoyed than understanding about my weeping/need for novocaine/nitrous/etc.

But, it's nice to know there's a website out there. Maybe some dentists will look at it.

On a humorous note, saying "you'd rather be dead" to a person like me (depressive dysthymic with clinical episodes, who would rather be dead than alive, for the last 18 years) just struck me funny. lolol.

Shar

Hi, AG,
I don't know if every dentophobe has had bad experiences. I would assume so, or if not, why would they be phobic?

When I'd take my son to my good dentist, the dentist knew I couldn't stay in the office while he was having cleanings, etc. because I'd just weep and freak out in the waiting room.

So, I'd tell my son (who does not have sensitive teeth like me, thank goodness!) he might feel some discomfort, or pinching feelings, or something, but, it was not anything he couldn't handle. (I told him that also when he had he shots as a little one, and that he had to remain still for shots anyway.) And, he always was ok, because I never said "this won't hurt" or "don't worry" or any of that other BS.

But, I digress. I think dentists actually get VERY little education about phobias (asked several of my dentists about it; even suggested a research study to find out, but they didn't want to collaberate).

So, Dentist X thinks (after I've warned them quite thoroughly about my phobia), well, we'll talk about the Olympics, and that will solve the problem (we being the dentist and the dental asst.). And then when I weep anyway, Dr. X just get pissed.

So, I guess it's just a matter of finding the right one. And, having benzos on hand, and getting as much novocaine and nitrous as possible. In Texas, much to my great regret, they have limits on how much nitrous you can get; however, if you find a skilled and understanding dentist, sometimes they'll give it enough of a bump to help.

Best wishes to you!!
Shar

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I don't know if every dentophobe has had bad experiences. I would assume so, or if not, why would they be phobic?

So, I guess it's just a matter of finding the right one. And, having benzos on hand, and getting as much novocaine and nitrous as possible.

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From what I've read and observed, I'd say that about 80 - 85% of dental phobias result from traumatic dental experiences (usually in combination with a dentist who is perceived as cold and uncaring). Quite a significant number of the remaining 15-20% either suffer from generalized anxiety disorder/panic disorder/agoraphobia or fear the dentist because the situation reminds them of past sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Obviously, that can also be in combination with bad dental experiences. A few individuals develop dental phobia as a result of vicarious learning (hearing scare stories). Others again have a needle phobia. Gagging is another "biggie".

It's really hard to give advice without taking into consideration what the individuals' actual fears are. For example, people who fear the loss of control in the dental chair most often don't respond well to benzos or nitrous oxide, which they feel reduces their sense of control. Purely from personal observation, people with a fear of specific dental procedures (rather than "the dentist") on average are more keen on (and respond better to) pharmacological methods of anxiety control, whereas those who fear "the dentist" or loss of control tend to fare much better with behavioural approaches. Though there are always exceptions, and things are not always very clear-cut (and it also depends on the complexity of the procedure in question). As phobias go, it's a pretty interesting one

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Hi,
Are you a dentist?

I've always wanted to do a research study on how much education dentists get about phobias while they're in school.

It seems most don't understand the definition of "phobia."

Well, I'm only 53, so I haven't seen EVERY dentist, but every one I've seen except one, was more annoyed than understanding about my weeping/need for novocaine/nitrous/etc.

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No, I'm not a dentist (ex-dental phobic) . Education about dental anxieties is becoming much more common in dental schools, though it does vary from school to school. I've got some plans to extend the page aimed at dental professionals and submit it to dental schools, they might stick it on some undergrad reading lists. I'm not getting my hopes up too high, though! Actually, the feedback by dentists has been very positive (probably due to self-selection, LOL ). We'll also have an article on how to handle abuse survivors appearing in an online magazine aimed at dental professionals next week !

AG, did you get your tooth taken care of

Oh gosh Eva, that sounds absolutely horrible, no wonder you also suffer from a dental phobia. Why would they do a root canal with no novacaine? OUCH!!! I pretty much have to be kinda 'high' on benzos to go to the dentist, same with blood tests, gosh, I think that might even be worse for me. I can't have the gas. I have so many drug allergies. When I had all my wisdom teeth out, I had to have it done in the hospital OR WITH a crash cart right there. That was the only way he was going to go anywhere near me due to my allergies to anesthetics. Feeling all better now. Tooth was back to 'normal' after one day. Not sure why it was acting up then. Kinda weird, back to my denial again.

Peanuts, I don't know either which one is worse, a cap or root canal, but I'm thinking the root canal too. I've never had a cap done. Friend wait in the waiting room? Damn, I need someone to come in the room with me and hold my hand the whole time. Yea, I know I sound like a baby but when you're phobic, anything you can get for any kind of comfort is good. The last time I went to the dentist I thought I was gonna have to have a tooth pulled cuz a filling fell out and took part of my tooth with it, but turned out he just needed to refill it, not that that was much of a picnic either. Gosh, I hate that drill, even when you're sitting in the waiting room and you can hear him using it on someone else. Tooth is ok, at least IMHO.

mel, the CD player sounds like a really good idea but the problem is that the dentist thinks he can carry on a conversation with you, even without it, yeah right, the CD player would just compound that problem cuz I'd have the volume up so loud, he could probably sing along to whatever I'm playing.

Shar, I like what you did with your son. I hate when people tell you something isn't gonna hurt when you know dang well it is.

letsconnect, I would fall into that 80 - 85% who have had prior traumatic dental experiences, like every freakin' time I went to the dentist as a child. I've even escaped from the waiting room when no one was looking when I was a kid. Didn't work though cuz my mom would just get real mad at me and take me back the next day and they'd take me straight into the examining room so I couldn't do my escape routine again.

"From what I've read and observed, I'd say that about 80 - 85% of dental phobias result from traumatic dental experiences ..."

I'd love to know where your stats come from.

As a statistician, I'd say, the 80-85% would thrill (and inform) any researcher who handed out a questionnaire, vs. the remaining number that might suffer from.. "generalized anxiety disorder/panic disorder/agoraphobia or fear the dentist because the situation reminds them of past sexual, physical or emotional abuse" especially without any supporting evidence.

I don't necessarily doubt your hypothesis, it's just that there isn't any supporting evidence (to my knowledge) anywhere...such as, persons of sexual abuse who resolve their issues, feel magically ok at the dentist's office.

I'm delighted to hear there is 'more' education in dental schools about phobias. In my experience, that is in comparison to "no" education. And, I've asked! Plus, I know from age about 7 to age 53, it ain't changed that much!

Maybe there's hope for the next three generations!

However, L C, being as you are not on a "normal" board here, I would encourage you to not assume that our disorders or dis-eases (or whatever) make us dentally-challenged. I am not saying that is your assumption, I'm just thinking you might as a 'normal' may have a different take on things, unless you also have some dis-ease with which you are dealing.

I would like to see some serious research into the issue. And every time I've suggested it in the last few decades, dentists are backing up as fast as they can. Even a simple survey/questionnaire! Go figure!

Shar

Thanks, AG!

Shar

OK now?
xoxo
Shar

Hi Shar. Yep 'ok' now, well, 'ok' for what I normally go through with this tooth, it being sensitive to cold. No more pain, so I'm back to my denial phase that there is anything wrong. It could just be sensitive, couldn't it?

It's highly unlikely that it's just "sensitive."

Just do it. And I mean that in the most maternal, guilt-trippy way!

xoxo
S

While at the elevator today, a guy was complaining because his tooth replacement was going to cost $6000. Seems he had had tooth pain, and then due to an abcess it quit hurting for a while and he ignored it... and then he lost the tooth altogether...

Of course he quieted down and felt a little better when I told him the work I was hav ing done over 3 weeks was costing $18,000.

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"From what I've read and observed, I'd say that about 80 - 85% of dental phobias result from traumatic dental experiences ..."

I'd love to know where your stats come from.

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Try PubMed.
e.g. Behav Res Ther. 1991;29(1):51-60. Manifestations, acquisition and diagnostic categories of dental fear in a self-referred population.
Moore R, Brodsgaard I, Birn H.

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As a statistician, I'd say, the 80-85% would thrill (and inform) any researcher who handed out a questionnaire, vs. the remaining number that might suffer from.. "generalized anxiety disorder/panic disorder/agoraphobia or fear the dentist because the situation reminds them of past sexual, physical or emotional abuse" especially without any supporting evidence.

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I know there are problems with stats when investigating a topic like dental phobia (after all, the worst cases will never seek treatment, and anyone who's not motivated in some way will avoid treatment at all costs). Information comes from institutes such as the University of Washington's Dental Fears Research Clinic.

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I don't necessarily doubt your hypothesis, it's just that there isn't any supporting evidence (to my knowledge) anywhere...such as, persons of sexual abuse who resolve their issues, feel magically ok at the dentist's office.

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I don't think I mentioned anywhere that persons who have been sexually abused magically feel ok at the dentist's office once they've resolved their issues. Maybe my memory is letting me down, though.

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However, L C, being as you are not on a "normal" board here, I would encourage you to not assume that our disorders or dis-eases (or whatever) make us dentally-challenged. I am not saying that is your assumption, I'm just thinking you might as a 'normal' may have a different take on things, unless you also have some dis-ease with which you are dealing.

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Not anymore, but thanks for asking. I didn't mean to imply that certain conditions or dis-eases make people dentally challenged, just that there is a statistical correlation between dental phobia and certain other conditions (see, for example, Treating Fearful Dental Patients: A Patient Management Handbook 2nd Edition, Revised, by Peter Milgrom, Philip Weinstein, and Tracy Getz 1995).

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I would like to see some serious research into the issue. And every time I've suggested it in the last few decades, dentists are backing up as fast as they can. Even a simple survey/questionnaire! Go figure!

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It's hard to do research into a topic when sufferers avoid treatment at all costs. I would have a problem with the existing research as well concerning how participants are selected and recruited. Still, there's plenty of research being carried out considering these limitations. Check out PubMed or scholar.google.com.