Are you afraid of the dentist?

[Trekkie]

I am absolutely terrified! If I can avoid it, I do.

Today was the first time in years I had work done without a sedative. It was harrowing, but I made it. So proud of myself.

How about you?

 

[misssoph]

Terrified, I haven't been for 3 years. I am particularly scared of the needles and the sound of the drill. I am also a doctor!

 

[Lottie]

I used to be really scared, shaking and crying in the chair (that really ugly crying where you can't actually talk because you sound like a lion, not a pretty one tear on the cheek distressed whimper) and refused to go for years. Then I had a bit of a moment and decided that this could not go on and I searched for, and found an amazingly kind dentist who had experience with phobias. We dealt with it together very slowly (luckily, my teeth didn't need a lot of work) and now I can honestly say I am fine. I don't like it, but I am not scared.

 

[missy]

I'm not scared of the dentist per se but of being able to find a competent dentist. Since my dad retired I have had trouble finding a good dentist and because of that I only go when I have pain which I know is bad! It's just so hard to find someone good that I trust! I have a great endodontist fortunately but have yet to locate a good competent and efficient dentist. If anyone has a recommendation in the NYC area I would be so grateful!

Congrats Trekkie on your recent positive experience! You too Lottie!

 

[zoebartlett]

I hesitated to click on the thread because even just reading about the dentist sends shivers up my spine. I've been lucky too, I have two baby cavities but other than that, I haven't had anything done to my teeth aside from a regular cleaning. I still don't like going though. The last time I was there I actually teared up, and the dental hygenist was only cleaning my teeth. I hate the feeling of the pick, the gritty texture of the toothpaste, the sound of the sucker thing, and the sound of the drill when someone else is having work done.

 

[Amys Bling]

Yes- but scared might not be the right adjective - more like, I totally dislike the dentist and never ever want to go!

 

[luv2sparkle]

I agree with Amy. I need to go. I dread it. But then I am not fond of going to any doctor and I totally avoid it if I can.

 

[tyty333]

Yes, I'm scared. I hate the shots and the whole time I'm there I wonder whats going to happen if that
drill slips and hits the side of my mouth.

I went to the dentist in mid-Dec to have a small cavity filled. He made me wait 35 minutes. By that time my heart
was pounding and I couldnt think straight so I cancelled the appointment. I shouldnt have been left waiting 35
minutes anyway. Currently looking for a new dentist.

 

[Jennifer W]

I used to be really scared, shaking and crying in the chair (that really ugly crying where you can't actually talk because you sound like a lion, not a pretty one tear on the cheek distressed whimper) and refused to go for years. Then I had a bit of a moment and decided that this could not go on and I searched for, and found an amazingly kind dentist who had experience with phobias. We dealt with it together very slowly (luckily, my teeth didn't need a lot of work) and now I can honestly say I am fine. I don't like it, but I am not scared.

This! I also vomited a few times.

I now have a wonderful dentist, but part of his wonderfulness is he knows me very well and he knows his own limitations. If it's something he doesn't think either of us will cope well with, he refers me to have it done under deep sedation. If I get an NHS appointment, it costs something like £35, if I have to have a private appointment, it's always upwards of £1k. 'm guessing if you live somewhere without the NHS, and need a lot of work done, it would be very expensive unless you have insurance, but it really is a good way to get the treatment you need. One down side to that is that the fear isn't really tackled - you just work around it. If your aim is to be able to go to the dentist like a normal person, then this isn't the answer, but if your aim is just to get treatment for now, I can recommend it.

 

[movie zombie]

yes, i have "issues" with going to the dentist....however, i found a great one about 15 years ago and i now go every 6 months. he doesn't belittle my "dentistry" issues and goes out of his way to make me comfortable.

 

[mayerling]

As a child, and I mean a very young child, I got cavities but was afraid of the dentist so I didn't tell my mum until the pain got so bad I couldn't take it any more. As a result, I had to have a lot of work done at such a young age. From that moment on, I was no longer afraid of the dentist. Now, at the slightest hint of trouble, I hurry to my dentist and have no fear at all!

 

[monarch64]

I am a weirdo and LOVE going to the dentist! If I could afford to, I would go every month for a cleaning. I've had my share of unpleasant work done as far as fillings, etc. but I've never had anything so awful happen that it turned me off the dentist forever.

I understand the fear of dentists/dentistry, though. It's your mouth being messed with--you need it to perform basic vital functions like eating and breathing! I have a ton of sympathy for those of you who have this fear.

 

[slg47]

I am a weirdo and LOVE going to the dentist! If I could afford to, I would go every month for a cleaning. I've had my share of unpleasant work done as far as fillings, etc. but I've never had anything so awful happen that it turned me off the dentist forever.

I understand the fear of dentists/dentistry, though. It's your mouth being messed with--you need it to perform basic vital functions like eating and breathing! I have a ton of sympathy for those of you who have this fear.

I am with you...LOVE going to the dentist!!! I love how clean your teeth feel afterwards!

 

[TravelingGal]

The key is finding a competent, honest dentist. I had terrible (or pricey) ones for years and I hated going. Now my dentist is wonderful (and hot!) and just a really compassionate, honest guy. I have no issues going to him now. Plus over the years, I had a lot of things done, and I realize that cleanings are easy if you take care of your teeth and anything else is a piece of cake once you survive the pricks of the numbing needle.

The best thing one can do to make dentist visits a breeze? Floss EVERY DAY. Because it's the cleanings that can cause the fear since they use no anethestic for it.

 

[Jennifer W]

Ok. maybe I'm a weirdo, but I actually like the cleaning. In the context of a dental phobia severe enough to make me physically sick, my dentist talked me off the ceiling once for long enough to do cleaning only, to get me into the idea that dentists weren't savage, brutal killers. I got to the point where I almost enjoy it, in a perverse sort of way. Proof that I'm making progress, or something. I have very clean teeth indeed, once a month isn't unheard of...

 

[monarch64]

Ok. maybe I'm a weirdo, but I actually like the cleaning. In the context of a dental phobia severe enough to make me physically sick, my dentist talked me off the ceiling once for long enough to do cleaning only, to get me into the idea that dentists weren't savage, brutal killers. I got to the point where I almost enjoy it, in a perverse sort of way. Proof that I'm making progress, or something. I have very clean teeth indeed, once a month isn't unheard of...[/quote

That's awesome! I wish once a month wasn't unheard of here. Most dental insurance plans only cover two cleanings per year. A cleaning where I live is ~$100. Just not in the budget! I do own a fancy schmancy waterpik system, though, and I floss more frequently than the recommended 2x a day so hopefully I am not missing out too much on the monthly cleanings!

 

[movie zombie]

As a child, and I mean a very young child, I got cavities but was afraid of the dentist so I didn't tell my mum until the pain got so bad I couldn't take it any more. As a result, I had to have a lot of work done at such a young age. From that moment on, I was no longer afraid of the dentist. Now, at the slightest hint of trouble, I hurry to my dentist and have no fear at all!

yes, it was those childhood experiences.....1950's dental practice was very different.... i had cavities and absessed baby teeth. but i went the other way. i was pretty good as a teenager but had a great dentist then, too. however, as an adult i quit going unless i had a "problem", usually about every 10 years. i'm now a "believer" and like i said previously go every 6 months. the dentist is the key.

 

[ame]

Nah, I hate the shots more than anything, oh and the bill.

I had 6 root canal retreats in two days, plus an extraction last year, and then spiked a hell of an infection that even infected into my freaking jaw bone. I was miserable.

 

[Amber St. Clare]

Not at all. I go to VERY GOOD dentists who give the proper pain medication and don't hesitate to refer me to the proper specialist if there is a problem they can't handle. I've had plenty of root canals, bridges and crowns and have just completed the long implant process. It was a pain in the a$$ timewise, but I didn't feel a thing {except in the checkbook}.

If you are STILL afraid with al the advances in dentistry, you should find another dentist.

 

[Laila619]

I definitely don't like going, but I make myself go and psyche myself up. Afraid no, but strongly dislike? Yes.

 

[maplefemme]

I used to have a great dentist but he relocated across the country and I have since been trying to find a great replacement.
I have never had a cavity and only had a wisdom tooth removed when I was 13 because it was pushing out one of my other teeth, other than that I have never needed anything but cleanings. I once had a melee diamond bezel set in capping composite on my canine, but after 10 years it was dislodged eating an apple so my old dentist had to file the composite off, nothing painful.
Since trying to find a new dentist it seems they want to do work that doesn't need doing and charge big $$$ for it too.
I have recent copies of my x-rays, nothing is wrong, but new dentists want new ones. They also keep pushing to get my other wisdom teeth out, even though they aren't causing any problems, it's a "just in case" procedure... well to me, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.
My boss had over $90,000 worth of dental work done last year, that blows my mind.
I'm not afraid of getting anything done, per se, just afraid I'll have a dentist try and do work on me that doesn't really need to be done.

 

[tuffyluvr]

Yes!!!!! I never had any issues with the dentist until I was a teen. My dentist injured his hands and turned his practice over to a younger, less experienced dentist. First time I went to see her I needed a filling. She stabbed me in the back of my cheekbone with the novocain needle and proceeded to drill when I wasn't fully numbed. It was an awful experience! I never went back to her, needless to say. Oh! And she didn't clean out the cavity she filled well enough, and my tooth pretty much rotted under the filling. Now I need a root canal and a crown on that tooth. Fun times!!

 

[mrs jam]

I actually look forward to going to the dentist! My mom was religious about taking us to the dentist every six months for exams and cleanings. I've maintained that habit as an adult, and it really is something I enjoy, weirdly enough. I love how my teeth feel after a good cleaning! I floss almost obsessively, so my visits are quick and painless.

 

[bee*]

I HATE going to the dentist-absolutely despise it. I haven't been in about three years as I'm too scared to go back. I had an awful experience as a child and I think that dentist turned me off them for life. I wish I liked going.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I had a really bad experience which ended in a root canal so I do have a bit of fear when I go. I also learned I have long roots which means they can be nicked easier during routine fillings so that makes me nervous. However, I still go. I dread it. I always expect the worst and hope for the best.

 

[Sky56]

I have no fear of the dentist, and I have had a lot of work done and had root canals. I actually like to go, it makes me feel pampered and cared for. Flying - that is my phobia.

 

[Sky56]

I floss and use Doctor's picks (plastic ridged dental toothpicks) every day and usually get A+ check-ups. In 2010 though, I had various dental woes including my first extraction. I was told I do perfect home care and my troubles were caused by aging, I was 54.

 

[Trekkie]

I can't believe there are so many of you who don't mind the dentist!

Me? I'm terrified. I survived my experience yesterday but I was in such a state I probably won't go back for another 3 years... Which will of course make the problem so much worse...

 

[Autumnovember]

Terrified.

I actually have really nice, straight teeth and I know that if I want to keep them this way I need to go to the dentist soon. I haven't gone in years, I'm very afraid. I think on top of being afraid, I'm also afraid of them telling me I have a cavity or this or that....sigh. I need to get over it...

 

[DivaDiamond007]

I hate going to the dentist. My MIL paid for me to have a cleaning last year and before that I hadn't gone in over 10 years

I get all worked up before and appointment - sweating, shaking, racing heart, nausea, etc. I'd never thought to take something to help me relax before an appointment though - probably because I don't like feeling out of it.