I have to go to the Dentist tomorrow and I am soo terrified !

[Bobbisox]

My stomach is turning already and the sheer thought of it....
I must be one of many who get into a state about such a visit :(

[charlieuniform3]

My dear wife takes a couple of extra strong painkillers and a mouthfull of vodka before she goes to the dentist it seems to calm her nerves.

[Psybbo]

my sympathies - went on Friday, got off lightly, good luck

[Bobbisox]

what makes it worse I suppose, my daughter is senior nurse at the Practice, she is arranging for me to go in before it even opens, that's how bad it is :-(

[jno]

I used to be for years... but somehow I just got over it. I realised the pain I imagined was always worse than the pain I actually got.

It wasn't entirely imaginary as I'd had some unpleasant experiences in the past, back in the 60s. But dentists are very much better now.

I used to have sedation for everything. Now, I've had root canasl without anaesthetic twice. That's not nice but it won't kill me.

As you sit through it, ask yourself: is it really, truly as bad as my imagination thinks it is? This has worked for me.

Good luck

[Bobbisox]

jno, I know your'e right and it was a very bad experience as a child which caused such irrational fear

[charlieuniform3]

My wife nudgescuffler had 3 wisdom teeth taken out when she was 18 no painkillers or anything her dentist did yoga and meditation and it worked a treat.

[emmie]

If you really are that bad, and it would depend on what work needs doing, you could ask about sedation, it doesn't knock you out cold, but takes the edge off the frayed nerves. You could ask at the practice whether this is possible. You are not alone, many suffer same problem often caused by bad childhood experiences.

[jno]

it's not irrational at all - just the opposite, it's learning from experience. But it can be overcome.

[shaneystar2]

I loathe going to the dentist .
I have that gas fixation from a child .That awful smelly rubber mask over my face .
Whereupon I spewed up.My mother was livid :)
I also had a dentist who buggered my teeth up ( long story)
So yes ..I quite understand it .

[Bobbisox]

one of my fears is acting so terrified and showing my daughter up in the process, she, for her part, says she sees it every day in her work but it's different when it is your Mum doing the quivering jelly bit..

[emmie]

as i suggested you can ask about sedation, it's something i have had numerous times, as have the same long standing phobia about dentists.

[Bobbisox]

shaney, I so agree with the mask thing...
When I was about 10 me and my brother were larkng around, he threw me over his shoulder resulting in my teeth going through my bottom lip, I had to have multiple stitches and swallowed a lot of blood, I was violently sick and ended up hospitalized and seriously ill, no wonder I am shaking here :-(

[weecalf]

Just think of all the brave things you did in your life ,Im sure you did braver things than go to the dentist so dont let a little thing like that bother you .Mind over matter go for it you will be fine

[jno]

some sedation does knock you out, some just puts you a bit under - you can tell what's going on, hear him say 'Open wider' etc but feel no pain and it feels as if it's over in 5 minutes. Do enquire, as it's very helpful.

[Bobbisox]

weecalf I don't think I have done brave things..:-(
Childbirth?
I would rather do that if the truth be known

[rsvp]

you've had children Bobbi which is hardly a walk in the park - modern dentistry is virtually painless - get a grip woman........... then meet me for a drink afterwards and we'll have a laugh how easy it was! it will be fine.

[shaneystar2]

Quite bobbi
I'd rather have a baby too :)
I broke the bridge on my teeth a liitle while back and I was a quivering wreck .
I had to have a friend with me to hold my hand .I had visions of the gunge in the mouth scenario . Luckily it didn't come to that .

[Bobbisox]

I would opt for another Hysterectomy any day...seriously !!

[shaneystar2]

Trouble is ....I'm a gagger . I cannot bear all that ironmongery in my mouth and start to heave .Yuk .

[Bobbisox]

me too, my daughter is wisely getting another Nurse to cover her while she mans the Reception while I am in there..:-((