breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,901 
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Nov 21, 2016 22:10:55 GMT
So I forced myself to schedule a dentist appointment. It's been 3 years so I'm a "new patient" again, yay. I decided I need to go to the dentist twice a year like a normal responsible person... but it's so hard!
First the scheduling
and I have to get DH or someone to watch the kids
And then I have to drive myself over there
and deal with small talk
and people shoving their hands in my "small" mouth
and x=rays, blech
and the smell...
It's a month away and I'm already nervous.
Anyone else?
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Post by Dixie Lou on Nov 21, 2016 22:19:21 GMT
Not really phobic but my lifetime dentist retired and I really need to find a new one. I won't say how long it's been since I've been .
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Post by cherrie on Nov 21, 2016 22:24:35 GMT
Oh I am terrified! If its not too bad for you, maybe I will get the nerve to go for a cleaning!
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Post by vspindler on Nov 21, 2016 22:28:11 GMT
Yep! I get nitrous for anything more than a cleaning. My husband does 95% of the kids dentist visits because even sitting in the waiting area stresses me out. And when I had oral surgery recently they had to take my blood pressure it was like 158-104! They had to give me nitrous to even get my IV in.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,527
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 21, 2016 22:30:46 GMT
My husband does 95% of the kids dentist visits because even sitting in the waiting area stresses me out. so does my DH. it's the smell, I can't handle it. The one time I HAD to take DS to get his teeth cleaned I ended up in a ball in the chair covering my ears. I felt like a terrible parent, but I just can NOT handle it. Give me broken bones, various bodily fluids just about anything else and I'm ok but teeth. no dice. |
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momto4kiddos
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,151
Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Nov 21, 2016 22:39:40 GMT
Not phobic, but I don't like going. I hate having my teeth scraped and I hate thinking there may be an issue. I've gone to the same dentist since I was a kid. It's all the same staff, I LOVE them all....but I still dread going. So you are definitely not alone. I try to tell myself it's better to go and keep things healthy...but yeah i'd love to skip out on it too.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 21, 2016 22:40:19 GMT
No but I'm doctor-phobic. I think I have some appointment setting anxiety, so I deal with that by scheduling my next DDS appointment before I leave. For some reason, once it's on the calendar it doesn't bother me nearly as much. I don't get as worked up about going to the dentist because I rarely need anything done other than a cleaning or x-rays and I can handle that.
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Post by vspindler on Nov 21, 2016 22:46:08 GMT
I rarely need anything done other than a cleaning or x-rays and I can handle that. X-rays last dentist appointment had me in tears. I have a small mouth and fibro has my pain sensors messed up, so the X-ray bite wings dig into below my tongue and into the roof of my mouth and they HURT!!! I had a dental assistant helping my hygienist with the X-ray and the assistant seemed to think I was overreacting. The hygienist saw my tears though. |
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Post by Princess Amy on Nov 21, 2016 22:46:42 GMT
Oh hell yes! The dentist I saw as a child did not use novocaine. I have some fun horror stories, but I'll spare you all.
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Post by cmpeter on Nov 21, 2016 22:47:31 GMT
Yes, very much so. I get nitrous even for cleanings.
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Post by mom on Nov 21, 2016 22:50:31 GMT
Yes. I am given valium before I go, and then they make sure I am out before doing anything.
For me, every part of the Dentist is bad. The smell. The noise. The way it feels.
I have a chip on my front tooth and they are putting me under to fix it even though normally they don't. At the first sound of anything I start crying, dry heaving and go into a panic.
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Post by leannec on Nov 21, 2016 22:57:32 GMT
I definitely don't love it ... I have a very small mouth so everything needs to be used accordingly ... I think finding the right dentist and the right dental assistant is essential ... mine are awesome  When they referred me to a specialist to have my wisdom teeth taken out (I'm in my late 40's) I was very happy with their choice  But going to the dentist pretty much sucks  |
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Post by sarahbee on Nov 21, 2016 23:04:17 GMT
Yes! I'm so glad I'm not the only one...I think it stems from my childhood dentist with very poor bed(chair?)side manner. Bleh!
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Post by salem on Nov 21, 2016 23:05:42 GMT
I am, but not because of the actual procedures. I was an early developing 11 year old, with a perv for a dentist. Highly inappropriate, back in the day when they didn't worry about a Dr. or dentist being left alone with a child in an exam room. I have some claustrophobia issues so to have someone standing over me, that close, with their hands right in my face causes a lot of anxiety. I was almost full blown panic attack standing in the office when I broke a tooth. I had a root canal and crown done and the assistant was awesome after I explained my issues. She got it. The Endodontist was great too, but he doesn't do general dentistry.
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Post by wiipii2 on Nov 21, 2016 23:07:02 GMT
Terrified. I have a sore tooth and I just can't bring myself to go.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Nov 21, 2016 23:08:24 GMT
Hell yes! I'm forcing myself to call tomorrow to get a cleaning. I was due a year ago.  I have very sensitive teeth and hate the taste of metal in my mouth so it's like torture for me to get a cleaning. My dentist does have the super fast water pressure cleaning tool so it does help. I have gotten to where I don't need gas for a cleaning, but I do need it for any procedures. I do sometimes take a valium for a cleaning, I probably will for this one since it has been awhile. |
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paigepea
Drama Llama
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Posts: 5,609
Location: BC, Canada
Jun 26, 2014 4:28:55 GMT
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Post by paigepea on Nov 21, 2016 23:12:24 GMT
Yes! I panic when I book a dentist appt. but I go every 6 months out of fear. I fear that if I don't go something awful will happen to my mouth which will make my dentist visits more anxiety provoking.
P.
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Post by bay63 on Nov 21, 2016 23:17:33 GMT
Not phobic, but I don't like going. I hate having my teeth scraped and I hate thinking there may be an issue. I've gone to the same dentist since I was a kid. It's all the same staff, I LOVE them all....but I still dread going. So you are definitely not alone. I try to tell myself it's better to go and keep things healthy...but yeah i'd love to skip out on it too. That's me! Plus the lecture I always get. |
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,901
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Nov 21, 2016 23:25:19 GMT
I think if I could just schedule the next appointment at the last appointment it would be better but I have a 3 year old I have to find someone to watch, which gets tricky, I end up trying to reschedule, get frustrated and give up. This time I'm just going to go, even if the 3 year old has to stay home alone (kidding).
I had a lot of cavities as a kid, and braces for 2 years (my dentist and orthodontist were the same man) which is probably where my phobia comes from... he had bad breath! There were a few times I felt like I was in the dentist chair for hours, waiting for my teeth to be worked on and almost got up and walked out. If you get me in there, don't make me sit there waiting, it makes it worse.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896
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Post by finaledition on Nov 21, 2016 23:39:51 GMT
Yes. I am embarrassed to admit how long it's been. I take my kids every six months without fail. I have learned it's not just dentist, but I have had procedures on my eyes and and ear surgery and i just don't like anybody in my face like that. My husband is just a procrastinator so we have decided we will go together.
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Post by nnnsmom on Nov 21, 2016 23:53:06 GMT
I hate it but go every six months now. Almost every visit I come up with reasons in my head why I shouldn't go, but force myself to go in the end.
One thing that REALLY helps me is to take my favorite blanket (now my kohls big one!) and cover myself up. It seriously calms me down and the office is always cold anyway. Before I started taking my blanket I would get the nervous shakes. Now I at least don't do that! Hope that helps!
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Post by happiest.raincloud on Nov 22, 2016 0:15:54 GMT
I used to be terrified of the dentist. The anxiety leading up to the appointment was the worst, but I also wasn't comfortable at all with the dentists I've seen in the past.
I started going to a new dentist last fall. They are the nicest, most patient group ever and they go out of their way to make me comfortable. I've had to have some serious work done (root canal, crown, inlay, root scaling) and I finally feel like I'm over the phobia.
As long as I don't see the needles, I'm ok!
And I will say - the longer you put it off, the worse condition your teeth could be in, resulting in more appointments. I wish I had gone to this dentist when she was recommended to me 3 years ago, it would have saved me some pain and about $8,000 in work!
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Nov 22, 2016 0:22:21 GMT
I hate it but go every six months now. Almost every visit I come up with reasons in my head why I shouldn't go, but force myself to go in the end. One thing that REALLY helps me is to take my favorite blanket (now my kohls big one!) and cover myself up. It seriously calms me down and the office is always cold anyway. Before I started taking my blanket I would get the nervous shakes. Now I at least don't do that! Hope that helps! That's a great idea. I may try that. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 22, 2016 1:35:29 GMT
Absolutely terrified.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 22, 2016 1:44:30 GMT
I rarely need anything done other than a cleaning or x-rays and I can handle that. X-rays last dentist appointment had me in tears. I have a small mouth and fibro has my pain sensors messed up, so the X-ray bite wings dig into below my tongue and into the roof of my mouth and they HURT!!! I had a dental assistant helping my hygienist with the X-ray and the assistant seemed to think I was overreacting. The hygienist saw my tears though. Could you ask them if they can use the smaller child sized x-ray things?  |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 22, 2016 1:53:39 GMT
I think if I could just schedule the next appointment at the last appointment it would be better but I have a 3 year old I have to find someone to watch, which gets tricky, I end up trying to reschedule, get frustrated and give up. This time I'm just going to go, even if the 3 year old has to stay home alone (kidding). I had a lot of cavities as a kid, and braces for 2 years (my dentist and orthodontist were the same man) which is probably where my phobia comes from... he had bad breath! There were a few times I felt like I was in the dentist chair for hours, waiting for my teeth to be worked on and almost got up and walked out. If you get me in there, don't make me sit there waiting, it makes it worse. I had the same problem. I think when my kid was about three I started just bringing her with me. Our DDS has a toy area that she could play with the toys or color right outside the room if she wanted (I could hear her and there is no door), but she was perfectly happy to sit in the extra chair in the room with me and the hygienist talked to her the whole time and kept her occupied. It also never hurts to have some kid games on a cell phone if all else fails! |
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janeliz
Drama Llama
I'm the Wiz and nobody beats me.
Posts: 5,633
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Post by janeliz on Nov 22, 2016 2:05:17 GMT
Yes. I have a terrible gag reflex, it seems to take an enormous amount of novocaine to numb me, and the smells and sounds stress me out.
I really need to find a dentist who knows how to deal with dental anxiety, as mine has gotten worse as I've aged.
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bethany102399
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,527
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Post by bethany102399 on Nov 22, 2016 16:14:03 GMT
Oh hell yes! The dentist I saw as a child did not use novocaine. I have some fun horror stories, but I'll spare you all. The ones my parents saw as kids didn't either. As adults, neither of them cared to listen to me complain about how much my braces hurt. At the time I was ticked off, as an adult I get it. |
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Post by melanell on Nov 22, 2016 16:22:56 GMT
No, not at all. BUT, I am sure that I fear going to the ophthalmologist every bit as much as anyone has ever hated going to the dentist. I have huge anxiety about anyone or anything touching my eyes. It's really bad. And I am having a major problem with one of my eyes right now, so I've been facing this over and over again during the last year or so. So I understand being nervous, even if it's not about the actual dentist. Hugs to you!  |
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Post by Fidget on Nov 22, 2016 17:24:16 GMT
Yes, very much so. I get nitrous even for cleanings. Same here - I was so happy when I found out my dental office would do this!! |
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I have very sensitive teeth and hate the taste of metal in my mouth so it's like torture for me to get a cleaning. My dentist does have the super fast water pressure cleaning tool so it does help. I have gotten to where I don't need gas for a cleaning, but I do need it for any procedures. I do sometimes take a valium for a cleaning, I probably will for this one since it has been awhile. 
