Fear of the dentist

IntoTheFire · 12-25-2006, 10:04 PM

Yeah, it's a worldwide fear and very common, but I'm beginning to think I have some sort of irrational fear. I mean, I'll pretty much do anything to get out of going. The number of appointments I've skipped and cancelled is just ridiculous, but I fully understand that it's stupid of me to not go.

So, come on, give me some words of encouragement and make me realise my fears are silly

**Hope75** · 12-25-2006, 10:11 PM

You fears aren't silly, but they are managable. You are certainly not alone, lots of people have fears of going to the dentist. Have you thought of talking to your physician about it- and seeing if you can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to take when you have to see the dentist? Than have a friend drive you when you go- since the meds tend to make you sleepy.

Also, explaining your fear the the dentist and hygenist will help them to make your visit as painless and gentle as possible- trust me- my friend is a hygenist and she hears it all the time.

IntoTheFire · 12-26-2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope75

You fears aren't silly, but they are managable. You are certainly not alone, lots of people have fears of going to the dentist. Have you thought of talking to your physician about it- and seeing if you can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to take when you have to see the dentist? Than have a friend drive you when you go- since the meds tend to make you sleepy.

Also, explaining your fear the the dentist and hygenist will help them to make your visit as painless and gentle as possible- trust me- my friend is a hygenist and she hears it all the time.

I actually hadn't thought about getting something to keep me cool when I'm going to the dentist. I think that might actually be an idea. I'll give them a call asap (not sure about their schedules around Christmas) and see if they can help.

I've recently switched dentist. The guy I had before is a good, good friend of my family, and I never did tell him that I hated being there. I just concentrated on when it'd all be over. I'm not sure why I didn't tell him, but maybe it'd be easier to just tell some random person you don't know that you don't like being there.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm definitely gonna have a shot at getting something from my physician

applepie · 12-26-2006, 11:28 AM

Having teeth rotting out of my head is enough of a reason for me to go. No one likes going, but my appearance, health and no tooth sensitivity are more important than my fear of the dentist.

IntoTheFire · 12-26-2006, 02:21 PM

Mmmm...nice.

Thanks for the visual aid prettydame, hehe.

Gonna go make that appointment now...

confused25 · 12-27-2006, 12:32 PM

What are you scared of? The pain? If you have good dental hygiene then you should have nothing to worry about. It's really not as bad as you think!

**BellaDonna** · 12-28-2006, 10:49 AM

I worked as a dental assistant for many years throughout high school and college. Your fears are very common and very normal so do not feel silly.

I can remember patients who were 6ft. tall macho body builders that needed to hold my hand when they got a small needle.

My best advice to you would be: Find a dental office that offers Nitrous Oxide gas or other forms of sedation to ease your fears.

Don't keep cancelling your appointments. Routine dental care is very important. You should get your teeth cleaned regulary to help prevent cavities, and if they find a cavity, get it filled ASAP when it's still small. The bigger it gets, the more drilling there will be- or you could risk losing your tooth or needing a root canal if the decay reaches the nerve of the tooth. That's why it's so important not to skip appointments.

I think Nitrous Oxide will be the key to overcoming your fears. As I said earlier, it's a very common fear- you're not alone.

BellaDonna

mom-of-3 · 12-28-2006, 10:17 PM

I am a dental assistant. As the other lady stated, the ones that have the most fear are the military guys age 40-60's. My dentist is great!! We let the patient be in control, we will stop if there is any discomfort. Sometimes knowing you have some control helps. But fear is fear and it takes time to overcome it. I get excited when we have patients like you who finally begin to say -"I don't mind coming to see you." Don't stress over having the fear because it will be harder to overcome. Some patients don't like the needle, the noise of the drill ( use an ipod ), or are clastrophobic (sp?). Please do let your dentist know what bothers you. It really helps. Also, make sure you find a very kind dentist that you feel you can trust. Take Care. I know you will schedule and do great. Yes, it is a normal fear!!

12-25-2006, 10:04 PM	#1
IntoTheFire Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Gender: None Specified Age: 22 Posts: 157	Fear of the dentist Yeah, it's a worldwide fear and very common, but I'm beginning to think I have some sort of irrational fear. I mean, I'll pretty much do anything to get out of going. The number of appointments I've skipped and cancelled is just ridiculous, but I fully understand that it's stupid of me to not go. So, come on, give me some words of encouragement and make me realise my fears are silly

12-25-2006, 10:11 PM	#2
Hope75 Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: kitteh ville Gender: Female Age: 33 Posts: 12,512	You fears aren't silly, but they are managable. You are certainly not alone, lots of people have fears of going to the dentist. Have you thought of talking to your physician about it- and seeing if you can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medication to take when you have to see the dentist? Than have a friend drive you when you go- since the meds tend to make you sleepy. Also, explaining your fear the the dentist and hygenist will help them to make your visit as painless and gentle as possible- trust me- my friend is a hygenist and she hears it all the time. __________________ Muffin cats need love too. Please refer to the forum rules before posting: http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php Mama to a beautiful baby girl born 6-25-09. :)

12-28-2006, 10:49 AM	#7
BellaDonna Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: U.S. Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 6,586	I worked as a dental assistant for many years throughout high school and college. Your fears are very common and very normal so do not feel silly. I can remember patients who were 6ft. tall macho body builders that needed to hold my hand when they got a small needle. My best advice to you would be: Find a dental office that offers Nitrous Oxide gas or other forms of sedation to ease your fears. Don't keep cancelling your appointments. Routine dental care is very important. You should get your teeth cleaned regulary to help prevent cavities, and if they find a cavity, get it filled ASAP when it's still small. The bigger it gets, the more drilling there will be- or you could risk losing your tooth or needing a root canal if the decay reaches the nerve of the tooth. That's why it's so important not to skip appointments. I think Nitrous Oxide will be the key to overcoming your fears. As I said earlier, it's a very common fear- you're not alone. BellaDonna __________________ "Well behaved women rarely make history." "Friendship should be a refuge, not an ordeal." Please see the forum rules for posting on enotalone:http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php

12-26-2006, 11:28 AM	#4
applepie Offline Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 408	Having teeth rotting out of my head is enough of a reason for me to go. No one likes going, but my appearance, health and no tooth sensitivity are more important than my fear of the dentist.

12-26-2006, 02:21 PM	#5
IntoTheFire Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Gender: None Specified Age: 22 Posts: 157	Mmmm...nice. Thanks for the visual aid prettydame, hehe. Gonna go make that appointment now...

12-27-2006, 12:32 PM	#6
confused25 Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 586	What are you scared of? The pain? If you have good dental hygiene then you should have nothing to worry about. It's really not as bad as you think!

12-28-2006, 10:17 PM	#8
mom-of-3 Offline Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: nc Gender: Female Posts: 18	I am a dental assistant. As the other lady stated, the ones that have the most fear are the military guys age 40-60's. My dentist is great!! We let the patient be in control, we will stop if there is any discomfort. Sometimes knowing you have some control helps. But fear is fear and it takes time to overcome it. I get excited when we have patients like you who finally begin to say -"I don't mind coming to see you." Don't stress over having the fear because it will be harder to overcome. Some patients don't like the needle, the noise of the drill ( use an ipod ), or are clastrophobic (sp?). Please do let your dentist know what bothers you. It really helps. Also, make sure you find a very kind dentist that you feel you can trust. Take Care. I know you will schedule and do great. Yes, it is a normal fear!!