Dental Phobia

[Annora]

Do you have a sure fire way in making it through a dental appointment? Do you have tricks? I have a mortal phobic attitutde towards dentist. Has anybody else made it through this?

 

[FurryFury]

I'm somewhat phobic, I just push through. Digging into my nails into the chair, trying to meditate, dictating terms with the dental personnel. That's about all you can do. I only go when I have to. I eschew all invasive procedures that are not absolutely necessary. I don't let them use the drill like thing when they clean. It makes my stomach start knotting up. I try to pretend I'm cool. I'm pretty good at pretending.

 

[Annora]

Sounds doable. I just have this terrile fear they will not listen. Air tool drive me to the ceiling. I pretend to be with a sexy man. On a beautiful beach. I have some real dental work needing done. Its not like I'm medical illiterate I'm a physician.

I work ER's I just need to get past this. Any help I will try.

 

[FurryFury]

If you have major work which needs to be done, you might want to find someone who will put you out for it or use laughing gas on you. I tell you, the things I've thought of while on laughing gas. Woo! Great stuff. It doesn't take away the pain, I have a high pain tolerance anyway, but it sure does make me not care! I have written entire movies about the dental tech's nose hair before. It was hilarious at the time.

Some dentist these days, will put you out while they work on you. I know cause my mother goes to one who does that. Some even use music, aroma therapy and facial massage to relax you. Cheeky bastards! LOL!

Good luck!

Fury

 

[SweetErika]

I hate going...my blood pressure skyrockets, I start sweating, feel sick, tense up, the whole thing. I found a dentist and staff I really like, and they have movie/tv glasses and some other things to keep my mind off it. I also go through my worried thoughts and counter them logically ('It's a scary place'>>>'It's an office with a nice atmosphere and people I really like. I always get worked up about it, and it's never terrible. I'm just going to take some deep breaths and relax.'). Nitrous or a relaxant also helps if I'm having work done, but not all dentists are willing to use or prescribe those (though there are some who specialize in patients with phobias and sedation).

 

[SweetErika]

Sounds doable. I just have this terrile fear they will not listen. Air tool drive me to the ceiling. I pretend to be with a sexy man. On a beautiful beach. I have some real dental work needing done. Its not like I'm medical illiterate I'm a physician.

I work ER's I just need to get past this. Any help I will try.

If that's the case, be sure they're aware of your fears and you trust them. It may be silly, but my dentist tries to ensure the same assistant always does the cleaning or assists him...mine gives me a hand massage and talks to me the entire time, and they both ask how I'm doing and ask me to tap the chair if I need anything at all. Knowing that they will stop no matter what is really helpful.

 

[Eilan]

The trick is to find a dentist that's sympathetic to your plight. I started going to my dentist when my husband and I got married. His motto is "We cater to cowards." Sedation is available for those patients who need it.

Until recently, I had put off going to the dentist for a long time, even though I'd had entirely positive experiences when I was younger. I developed a fear of the dentist for no good reason. And then one of my wisdom teeth broke (on a weekend, of course!) and I HAD to get it pulled. I was scared to death because up to that point, I'd only had one filling, and that was almost 20 years ago. However, my dentist was very good about making me feel relaxed. He told me what to expect at every step.

Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Do you have a sure fire way in making it through a dental appointment? Do you have tricks? I have a mortal phobic attitutde towards dentist. Has anybody else made it through this?

Tell your family doctor about this, and he/she should be able to give you something to relax before you go to the dentist. Explain how you feel, and you only need it for dental work. These dentists (where I am) don't give anything out for your fear--hell, barely any painkillers afterwards being afraid you'll get addicted to it.

I've taken my walk-man so I don't hear the drilling. It helps a lot. And I also take anxiety meds.

Good luck to ya!

 

[Bandit58]

I do deep breathing and also found that holding a couple of white quartz crystals in my hand has a calming effect. Having moved to Australia I needed to find a new dentist and the one I found is very good, I had to have a crown put on and it was nowhere near as painful as I thought it would be.

I had bad experiences with dentists as a child (lots of extractions, and I hated the mask and the smell of the gas). I remember waking up with a mouthful of blood after 4 molars were removed at age 10 and feeling very sick and dizzy and my mouth hurt soooo much. If I have to go for even a checkup I get tense and nervous and my tummy does flipflops, so much so that I have had mild diarrhea Even though I know the fear is irrational it doesn't help

 

[GeorgeWBush]

I go to one were he puts me to sleep that way i won't rip his chair apart i sleep thru the whole thing.

 

[Quoll]

I always find this sort of thing a bit spooky, I have never seen a site like this before, wasn`t even looking for it, just happened to notice the link.
Come back to lit and here is your post. cue *Twighlight Zone* theme.

http://www.dentalfearcentral.com/

I always take an image from a movie I saw, where the patient firmly holds the dentist`s testicles and says "Now, we are not going to hurt each other, are we?"

 

[Lynxie]

My hubby's best friend is horrified when it comes time to go to the dentist. He's vomited from the nervousness before. A couple of years ago, he found a new dentist that specializes in people who have phobias of the dentist. He's told me when he goes, he gets noise-cancelling headphones (The really good Boes kind) and can bring his own CDs with him if he prefers. There's also artwork on the ceilling to provide distraction. If those things aren't enough, patients can get a dose of nitrous if they need it. He's more expensive than average dentists, but it's totally worth the extra money to our friend.

 

[tiwolf]

recent Visit

Do you have a sure fire way in making it through a dental appointment? Do you have tricks? I have a mortal phobic attitutde towards dentist. Has anybody else made it through this?

Dear Annora

Having recently (last week) gone through the drill and fill, if you will. I am not a fan and had put off card for a while (18 months), mut then started to feel some discomfort. So I had to go (tooyh ache & ear ache are worst paind IMO). Got recommendation from daughter-in-law and went to dentist. He was thorough and considerate. Numbed gums for filling and stated that he would stop anytime I raised left hand indicating I felt any pain. I didn't. It looks like I will need two removals (one a previous cap). The Dentist explained options and pricing, but did not push for big ticket items root canal/implants. In fact when cap is removed tooth above is recommended to remove (nerve damage) because there will be no tooth underneth.

Anyhow probably more than you needed to hear but I almost opted for a group called "Dentists for Cowards". Find one who respects pain thresholds.

I agree with all Dentists spawn the worst case of "white coat" syndrome!

 

[Halo_n_horns]

With the exception of basic cleanings, I insist on just being knocked out for any proceedure they're going to do. Granted, this has only been done twice, and one of those times it was mandatory that I be knocked out, but when it boils down to it, I am an absolute pussy when it comes to dentist visits.

 

[Annora]

I Did It

Two teeth extracted without going to sleep. His chair side manner was most soft and wonderful. Made me know I could stop it at any moment. Gave me plenty of TLC talk.

Didn't berate my threshold of pain. I just called, drove, and did it. It helped he had done my Bi-lateral TMJ repair from a beating I took many years back. So I knew him.

Thank you for your confessions. I knew I wasn't the only one out there in the land of fear.

You might not figure on this on Lit. But once again many many thank you's for helping to keep me sane.

One SO I couldn't have done this without your lectures. You know who you are my Soulmate, my friend and lover

 

[zerimar1231]

I can totally relate, there's nothing worse than that damn drill, i'd rather wax my entire body than go to the dentist! Have you tried sedation dentistry? i keep hearing about it on the radio, i guess the doc puts you to sleep while he works on you. It's worth a try.

 

[zealous1]

Visit this site for more information...Dental organization for Conscious Sedation

http://www.sedationcare.com/site/home.asp

Imagine not being afraid to go to the dentist. Imagine being able to accomplish all your dental care in as little as one appointment. This is what Sedation Dentistry can do for you. You'll be able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain. If you've been putting off years of dental work, Sedation Dentistry can change your life.



Enjoy the benefits of good health and a beautiful smile!

WithSEDATION DENTISTRY,you don't have to be afraid anymore.

Oral Sedation Dentistry protocols have been used safely for over 30 years with millions of dental procedures. Before starting any treatments, your doctor will review your medical history and explain how Sedation Dentistry can work for you. Our dentists want you to feel good about going forward towards a healthy, new smile.

On the day of your appointment, you'll take medication - a pill, then a companion will take you to the office. Experienced clinical team members will make certain that you're relaxed and completely comfortable and they monitor you very closely while you're sedated. Many patients feel NO DISCOMFORT whatsoever during and after treatment, and have little or no memory of the visit.

 

[Avery_Chisholm]

I'm somewhat phobic, I just push through. Digging into my nails into the chair, trying to meditate, dictating terms with the dental personnel. That's about all you can do. I only go when I have to. I eschew all invasive procedures that are not absolutely necessary. I don't let them use the drill like thing when they clean. It makes my stomach start knotting up. I try to pretend I'm cool. I'm pretty good at pretending.

me too

 

[Daolas]

Visit this site for more information...Dental organization for Conscious Sedation

http://www.sedationcare.com/site/home.asp

Imagine not being afraid to go to the dentist. Imagine being able to accomplish all your dental care in as little as one appointment. This is what Sedation Dentistry can do for you. You'll be able to smile with confidence and chew your food without pain. If you've been putting off years of dental work, Sedation Dentistry can change your life.



Enjoy the benefits of good health and a beautiful smile!

WithSEDATION DENTISTRY,you don't have to be afraid anymore.

Oral Sedation Dentistry protocols have been used safely for over 30 years with millions of dental procedures. Before starting any treatments, your doctor will review your medical history and explain how Sedation Dentistry can work for you. Our dentists want you to feel good about going forward towards a healthy, new smile.

On the day of your appointment, you'll take medication - a pill, then a companion will take you to the office. Experienced clinical team members will make certain that you're relaxed and completely comfortable and they monitor you very closely while you're sedated. Many patients feel NO DISCOMFORT whatsoever during and after treatment, and have little or no memory of the visit.

If you've got to do it, Sedation is the only way to go. After a really bad experience as a kid, I slugged an Army Dentist. Caused a good bit of dental work for him. Thankfully, I'd repeatedly told him and his nurse about my "adverse reactions to dental procedures". The Big Green isn't so hot on sedation dentistry, so I made a visit to a dentist off base. I went in, took a little nap and was all better in an hour or so.

I know it'll be more expensive, but it's well worth the lack of fear.

Dao

 

[arrowana]

Something I found helpful was that my dentist explained exactly what he was doing and why he was doing it. He explained how the chemicals worked etc and for some reason that helped put me at ease.