Please Help, Dentist Appt today!!!!

memaw66
memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
edited September 18 in Health and Weight Loss
I have a dentist appt at 11:30 today. I haven't been to the dentist in about 10 years and I am SCARED!!!

I hate to go to the dentist. I would rather give birth, no lie!!!!!!! I have a really small mouth and when they get in there and start messing around it just about kills me!!! I shiver and shake the entire time I'm in the chair!! They put several blankets on me and I'm still shivering, not because I'm cold, just plain FEAR!!!!

Any suggestions on how to cope better??? I really want and need to start having regular visits but not if I am scared everytime!!! Please help!!!!

Memaw

Replies

  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    I have a dentist appt at 11:30 today. I haven't been to the dentist in about 10 years and I am SCARED!!!

    I hate to go to the dentist. I would rather give birth, no lie!!!!!!! I have a really small mouth and when they get in there and start messing around it just about kills me!!! I shiver and shake the entire time I'm in the chair!! They put several blankets on me and I'm still shivering, not because I'm cold, just plain FEAR!!!!

    Any suggestions on how to cope better??? I really want and need to start having regular visits but not if I am scared everytime!!! Please help!!!!

    Memaw
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Since I know where you live :wink: have you tried Austin Dental Spa? It's a bit of a drive but they have a masseuse on staff who will help you relax. It's near Mopac and 2222.

    Sometimes listening to music helps me - I can't hear what is going on - also ask for nitrious - don't be afraid of asking for it, that's what it's for.
  • ariannedavis
    ariannedavis Posts: 520 Member
    How about thinking of it as a manicure or pedicure for your teeth? The fear of the unknown is always the worst. Are you having a cleaning or getting work done? If you have to have any work done, ask them what they're going to do and to talk to you while they're doing it. Take an i-pod or something, lay back & take a nap!:yawn:

    Also, think of the health benefits. You'd be surprised how much research is showing a link between dental health & heart health! Good for you for going! :flowerforyou:
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Memaw, I work for a dentist, a periodontist, and we see a lot of people with your same "fears". Ask for a blanket, on the medical history or patient questionarre mention that you are very anxious about seeing a dentist and if you are not allergic ask for nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Then when you get in the chair mention again to the dentist that you are anxious about dental treatment and make sure you can get some nitrous. The nitrous will help you relax, go ahead and get a blanket and you will find that this is calming and you can drive yourself home after nitrous.

    If you need dental work done and you have someone that can drive you to and from appointments you can ask for halcion, which is basically valium, this will get you "drunk" and happy and the dentist will be your best friend, as a matter of fact, the doc I work for is only 37 and at least three times a year some old woman grabs his *kitten* and says how cute he is, so see, you can provide entertainment for the office people too! lol :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

    Deep breaths and good luck! :flowerforyou: :flowerforyou:
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    Since I know where you live :wink: have you tried Austin Dental Spa? It's a bit of a drive but they have a masseuse on staff who will help you relax. It's near Mopac and 2222.

    Sometimes listening to music helps me - I can't hear what is going on - also ask for nitrious - don't be afraid of asking for it, that's what it's for.
    That's not too far. I will have to check them out!!!!
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    I need to have a tooth pulled but not sure if they will do that today or if today is just the first meeting kind of thing. I plan on getting the cleaning and just make this a routine thing so maybe I won't be so fearful after a while. I have really bad teeth and don't want to end up like my mom and dad with no teeth by the time I'm 50!!!! So it's time to stop being a baby and just get it done. I just hope I like this dentist or I won't go back!!!! It's a female so maybe that won't be so scary???? Nothing against male dentist but maybe a soft voice will help????


    Memaw
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    You can do this, and it's ok to ask for help and a female dentist may be calming.
  • dawn66
    dawn66 Posts: 166
    I am so with you on this one..... My first appointment in many years is next month, and Im already getting anxious about it. but like you I need to do this, because of really wanting to keep my own teeth as well. I am just trying to stay positive....You can do it!!!!
  • MontanaGirl
    MontanaGirl Posts: 1,251 Member
    If I were you I would definitely try sedation dentistry. It really helps!!
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    If I were you I would definitely try sedation dentistry. It really helps!!
    Funny story: The last time I went I was sedated and had 4 teeth pulled. That night my sister had a lasagne dinner at my parents house. I was eating and everything was going fine until.........I discovered that the last bite I took wasn't lasagne at all...........I swallowed the gauze that was supposed to stay in the hole left from the pulled teeth........ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
  • FUNinTHEsun
    FUNinTHEsun Posts: 284 Member
    i'm in the same boat...i have my first dentist appt in years tomorrow! uggghh i hate going to the dentist!!!!!! but, sadly, it must be done. :sad:
  • jennygabe
    jennygabe Posts: 26
    [/quote]
    I swallowed the gauze that was supposed to stay in the hole left from the pulled teeth........ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
    [/quote]

    I work in the OR and that sent shivers up my spine. GRRRROOOSSS:sick:

    That comment should have come with a previous disclaimer.:laugh:
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    I swallowed the gauze that was supposed to stay in the hole left from the pulled teeth........ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
    [/quote]

    I work in the OR and that sent shivers up my spine. GRRRROOOSSS:sick:

    That comment should have come with a previous disclaimer.:laugh:
    [/quote] I guess since it was just my blood, no harm was done.....I'm still hear to talk and laugh about it but it was pretty gross!!!!!!!!! LOL
  • RunningRatty
    RunningRatty Posts: 161
    I have just sent you a message...:smile:
  • catlover
    catlover Posts: 389
    I never went to the dentist as a child or teenager. Then at 25 I had to have all my wisdom teeth removed, which is really major. All went well and I was even snorkeling in the bay the following day because I felt so good. When I was pregnant with my daughter I opted for dental care and I have been twice a year, every year for the past 15 years. Fortunately, I have very healthy teeth, which is surprising. Anyway, I used to fall asleep in the chair during dental cleanings just becuase it was so relaxing there. My daughter started going at the age of 3 and she loves the dentist. She did have to have one small cavity filled at a young age and we opted to see the dentist that could give her medication that relaxed her without putting her out totally. There are dentists who work with people that have this kind of anxieties and I think it's a good idea to try them out.
  • memeburke
    memeburke Posts: 65
    Hi,
    I had a dentist appt. today also, and as terrified as you are.
    The dentist was an oriental lady and quite gentle and soft spoken. I was there for 2 cavities to be drilled and filled. I sat in the chair, held onto the arms like it was ready for take off. Expecting the worst, I was surprised how easy it was and I really didn't feel any pain.She talked through the whole time. Point is, my thoughts were worse than the actual ordeal. I tried thinking of a grocery list in my head as she was drilling. It helped. Try it.
    Good luck in the future visits ,
    Shirley
  • jessneill
    jessneill Posts: 380 Member
    I go to a dentist that supplies free nitrous. I get gassed up, they put sunglasses on me and headphones on my ears to listen to music...

    Now if I could just get them to turn the light into a tanning light.... :smile:
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    The visit wasn't TOO bad. It was just a consultation. I need a root canal and other stuff.
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    As weird as it sounds, I was very happy after my first root canal. I had chronic headaches - and they went away!
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    As weird as it sounds, I was very happy after my first root canal. I had chronic headaches - and they went away!
    Really???? I too have chronic headaches, in fact I was at the ER on Sunday for a migraine/throwing up!!! Hmmm wonder if they are connected. I have had more headaches since I broke this awful tooth. I am scheduled for a cleaning on the the 3rd of March and the root canal after that. Maybe that will help..... I certainly hope so, nothing else seems to be working!!!!

    Memaw
  • memaw66
    memaw66 Posts: 2,558 Member
    Don't think I'll be getting the nitrous as it cost an extra $120!!!! I will just have to take the numbing stuff!!Yikes!!!:sad: :indifferent: :frown: :cry:
  • Nich0le
    Nich0le Posts: 2,906 Member
    Good job! I had sinus infections and headaches from a tooth that I had a root canal in and they found out 17 years later that I had an unusual 4th canal (most have only 3) and it took that long for the fourth to go bad! Once that was gone so were the sinus infections, which of course cause headaches too. You might have something there, good, hopefully this will help with teh headaches you have been having too!
  • yoginimary
    yoginimary Posts: 6,789 Member
    Don't think I'll be getting the nitrous as it cost an extra $120!!!! I will just have to take the numbing stuff!!Yikes!!!:sad: :indifferent: :frown: :cry:

    Time to find a different dentist! I think it's usually about $40.
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,458 Member
    Don't think I'll be getting the nitrous as it cost an extra $120!!!! I will just have to take the numbing stuff!!Yikes!!!:sad: :indifferent: :frown: :cry:

    Time to find a different dentist! I think it's usually about $40.

    I'm with Mary - nitrous shouldn't be more than $40. I have nitrous for everything, including teeth cleaning at the dentist. My dentist is gentle, and they don't charge me for nitrous, but I would still get it even if it was $40 (which is what other dentists in my area charge - Seattle, WA.) In some cases insurance will pay for nitrous, and I think they will always pay for valium or its equivilent.

    Nitrous is the way to go - my teeth are so sensitive and I also have a tiny mouth with very large "torii" (spell) which are those cartilage-type thingys in the bottom inside of your mouth. Even the X-rays are brutal and used to cause me not to go to the dentist. Now the X-ray things they put in yor mouth are much less rigid and not sharp like they used to be.

    No side effects for me from nitrous, and I crank up my favorite tunes on the MP3. I love the dentist now. It's a legal high!

    Just one thing, though - if you start getting a ~~waa~~waa~~ feeling - have them turn it down. You should feel happy, not dizzy. I have to admit I used to do nitrous as a recreational drug.......and you can do too much! :laugh:

    Cheryl
  • dawn66
    dawn66 Posts: 166
    As weird as it sounds, I was very happy after my first root canal. I had chronic headaches - and they went away!
    Really???? I too have chronic headaches, in fact I was at the ER on Sunday for a migraine/throwing up!!! Hmmm wonder if they are connected. I have had more headaches since I broke this awful tooth. I am scheduled for a cleaning on the the 3rd of March and the root canal after that. Maybe that will help..... I certainly hope so, nothing else seems to be working!!!!

    Memaw
    I Have also been a sufferer of migraines, but fortunately had not had one in 20 months.... There was an article I read recently that said migraines seem to peek in women at about the age of 40. I noticed that both you and I are 41. So heres hoping that you've been through the worst of them.
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