Dental Phobia & Anxiety

[LynAnne]

I'm terrified of going to the dentist. I haven't been in almost six years and really want/need to get my teeth sorted out. I need quite a few fillings in my back teeth (and one extracted) plus I need a couple in my front teeth. I'm so embarrassed to smile, I've noticed I've become less likely to talk in social situations and even eating freaks me out - although I do still eat properly!

When I was little I hated going to the dentist after one dentist accused me of having sugary breakfasts (I didn't) and then another refused to get my parents into the room when I asked. My most recent dentist (in my teens) was good in terms of his dental treatment but he laughed at me when I flinched at any uncomfortable pressure and made me feel uncomfortable in general. I'm also scared of any potential pain or the dentist thinking I'm disgusting for letting it get so bad.

I suffer from anxiety anyway so doing things outwith my comfort zone is really difficult. Whenever I try to do something about going to the dentist I'm hit by the biggest wave of anxiety. Whilst I've needed dental work for sometime I've been trying to work up the courage to go for the last three months. I've even gone so far as booking an appointment but cancelling it because I got so upset and overwhelmed. I haven't had the money to go before either - and still don't have the money for all treatment but want to get it started.

I'm so conflicted and terrified.

Have you had to overcome a dental phobia? What did you do? What can I do to encourage myself to go and make getting treatment more bearable?

 

[Kirsty3051]

I'd try talking to your dentist before he/she carries out any procedure or check up on you. I'm sure they'd be more than happy to just start with a small check up and let you know what's what. Being scared of the dentist seems to be one of the top phobias. I personally love going to the dentist but have an irrational fear of travelling on a bus. I use the bus at least once a week just to reassure myself that it's all going to be okay, despite having a drivers licence, insurance, a car, ect.

Also, you can buy dentistry kits in Asda for £1. It might be worth buying one just to get yourself familiar with the equipment? I bought one to check out my top wisdom teeth. X

(Edit: No dentist is going to judge you on the condition of your teeth. It's their job, after all)

 

[Scottish mum]

I feel your anxiety literally!! I'm just registered at a dentist and have an appointment along with my lo who's almost 2! I've not been for 7 years and my teeth look good but the back ones are bad!!

I'm forcing myself to go as I want my lo to feel ok with the dentist not like me! So I need to do it for him. I hope this helps a bit as I understand how you are feeling but I'm just going to bite the bullet. As long as I don't feel anything xx

 

[Scottish mum]

I also want to add that I am a total worrier and I will be chatting to the dentist before hand and saying I'm scared so they are well aware x

 

[LynAnne]

Thank you for your replies. I need to register with a dentist but I'm so scared. The one my parents & sisters use is the same dentist who laughed at me so I don't want to re-register there. My DH's dentist is a thirty minute drive away (I don't drive!) as its the one he used growing up but the opening times are useless for me as they are 9-5, plus I don't think they have NHS places. So I'm going to have to take a jump and choose someone completely unknown which is massive for me with my anxiety.

Will a dentist think it's strange/mock me if I have my DH sit in on my appointments? Whilst I worry that DH will think I'm disgusting because of my teeth, I'm far more scared of going to the dentist on my own.

 

[Kirsty3051]

I'm sure they have husbands in the room all the time. I don't live at home anymore but me and my brother still go to all of our routine dentist appointments together because well...they've always been scheduled together. He sits in the room for my check up and they've never said a word about him being there. X

 

[pinklightbulb]

No they won't mock you, I sat in with FOB when he had a wisdom tooth removed and nobody said boo

 

[Scottish mum]

No don't worry it will be a family affair when I go!! X

 

[LynAnne]

I'm embarrassed to say I still haven't made an appointment! Every time I pick up the phone to try I just can't go through with it. I'm just so scared.

I've become quite self conscious about my front teeth lately which isn't helping. There's a bit of decay on my middle on and the one to its right which I think is really visible every time I smile. My mood has suffered so much these last few months as I've battled whether or not to go to the dentist. A part of me wants to desperately whilst the other is just plain terrified. I know things will only get worse if I don't but even knowing this doesn't help!

I know that i have a lot of fillings and possibly an extraction or two to get done but can i ask the dentist to sort my front teeth first? I've not got a lot of extra cash what with Christmas and everything so I'll need to do the dental work in stages anyway. I also think that perhaps getting my front teeth fixed - and seeing how nice they look after - may encourage me to go back and get other work done. Will a dentist let me choose to have them sorted first?

Also does anyone know if a dentist can prescribe any anxiety medication as I fear that this might be the only way I can get work done?

ETA: I keep coming up with excuses: I don't have the money, am too busy, I don't have a dentist to trust, it needs to be at a time DH can come with me etc. How can I stop doin this?!

 

[babytots]

Hi LynAnne I could of written this word for word. I too have a fear of a dentist which stems from my childhood. Only worsened when I had to have a root canal whilst pregnant with my eldest son 5 years ago and feeling everything as he didn't put enough local anethestitic in. I had a panic attack during the treatment and he wouldn't stop. It was excruciating and ever since then I vowed never to go back. When pregnant with my youngest I had a bad craving for Dr Pepper and unfortunately a tooth next to my top two teeth is in bad shape. Like you I'm very self concious of it and hate talking to people in public. I also need a replacement filling in a back tooth after one fell out.

I've put it off as I really don't want to pay to see a dentist only to go through that awful pain again. If I was able to be put under a general I'd have no problems. The thought of even phoning a dentist has me shaky and sweating. Obviously having children I've had to put my fears aside for their sake when they have their check ups but I feel my anxiety levels rise whenever I take them.

I'm hoping one day I'll have the courage to go but not sure when that will be. x