Dentists

[Potatoman]

I have a really weak ache in one of my teeth that comes and goes. People say i might have bitten on something too hard and not too worry. I have a checkup apt. anyway on Thursday and obviously ill mention it. The thing is, i have a SERIOUS 'fear' of the dentist. If, god forbid i need a filling or it taken out, what should i expect? Please dont laugh at me!

[patriciather]

some people have "sensitive" teeth.your dentist will know when you go for your check up.if you are really afraid of having treatment you can always ask for sedation,you will have to pay for this -but its worth it-believe me.

[christie]

I feel for you,last december i had the most painfull toothach my back two wisdom teeth and over six months my dentist gave me six lots of antibiotics id be up in the night crying it was sooo bad i finally got an appointment to go to the hospital to have em out but i was terrified i made my boyfriend go with me we were waiting 25 terrifying minutes before i was seen then it took all of 2 mins to whip em out and the pain went immediatly its the best thing i ever did,So please dont hesitate dont wait for the pain to get unbearable see your dentist i promise you its not as bad as you imagine in your head, I had to have four needles but i didnt feel a thing.Good luck.

[splodge24]

Potatoman DONT WORRY! I have a mad fear of the dentists but i was having serious toothache and went last week. They had a look around and did waht they needed and it didn't hurt one bit! I have to go back for a filing early next year and i'm nervous about it but i realised the dentists isn't that scary! Aparently they can use a cream to numb the mouth now instead of the scary needle (so i've been told...unless someone was telling me porkies to get me there!) Best of luck at the dentists...1/2 hour with the dentists saves on months of uncomfortable pain if you don't go!

[FP]

Potatoman,  the fear is far worse than the experience.  I have never been afraid of dentists.  I always have a jab to stop the pain and then totally relax.  Get some Bach Rescue Remedy and start using it a couple of days before.  When you get in the dentist's chair, try to relax all your muscles.  Start at your toes and work up to your scalp.  Think of all sorts of things whilst he is working on your mouth, except what he is doing.

 

Don't worry!!!! 

[nicola_red]

Oh Potatoman, regular users of this site will tell you I'm not the best person to ask about tooth removal.  I had a tooth out about a month ago and was in constant pain for two weeks.  I ended up on antibiotics and a variety of strong painkillers.  Sorry to put you off further, but you're a grown-up, it's best you know the truth.

[booksworth]

And you may be really lucky: I have an absolutely gorgeous dentist, who is almost distraction enough not to warrant an anaesthetic.

[Potatoman]

Thanks for yr info and support! Thursday at 3pm!!!

[Slainte]

I hope you get on OK at the dentist today.  My ex-boyfriend was a dentist and he was very understanding of people of have extreme fear/phobia of the dentist.  Some people didn't actually tell him how scared they were until their 2nd/3rd appointments and he always preferred to know from the start so he can adjust any treatment where possible.

Also, he did have a couple of patients who just froze and wouldn't let him even examine them. In those cases, he referred them to the local hospital to see a specialist who can help deal with the fear as well as the problem.  On the whole though, most patients thanked him and continued to go back and have treatment.

It is really important that you feel comfortable with your dentist so you can trust them - I know some of them can be unbelievable rude and businesslike.  If you don't feel comfortable with your dentist ask to see another one at the practice or perhaps look around your area (although I know that can be near impossible these days).

PS - When he treated my mum for root canal she couldn't believe it when he started working on her as she said she didn't even feel the anaesthetic needle!

Good luck

[Potatoman]

Thanks for all your advice. Iv just got back and it turn out that he said iv just jarred it and not to worry. Thanks to all again, PM

[AB Editor]

For all medical questions, we strongly advise you to seek professional advice from your doctor or healthcare professional.  Please do not rely on or wait for advice from Answerbank users.