Are you afraid of the dentist?

[SandyCheeks]

I'm so jealous of those of you who love going! I'm terrified of the dentist and the ironic thing is my dentist is the nicest, kindest guy with great reviews on yelp. My heart races and I feel as though I'm going to have a panic attack in the midst of drilling. So far my kids are good with dentist, hopefully they won't get my dumb phobia.

 

[mrs taylor]

Terrified and haven't been in years. Lucky for me I have great teeth. After not having gone from ages 16 to 25 they were shocked I wasn't seen every 6 months. I haven't been since then so yeah....it's been like a decade. Again, no problems at all but I live in terror of the idea that I may one day have to go.

I had an extremely traumatic experience at the dentist at 16 which involved a whole lot of terribleness, my parents sued, he settled, yadda yadda yadda. Since then I just can't bear the thought of it. Before that I was fine.

 

[ladypirate]

I had to go get 2 cavities filled yesterday--one on either side. My mouth still hurts from holding it open for so long! I'm not scared of the dentist, but I think it's because I had to have a fair amount of dental work done as a kid (root canal from someone tripping me on the playground, palette spreader, etc.), so I got used to it early.

 

[kenny]

I'm afraid of his bills.

 

[NOYFB]

No. In fact, I just had my teeth cleaned today. I love my dentist! She is such an awesome person and has never done anything to make me have any fear. I do NOT like having dental x-rays, however. I have a very small mouth that it's hard to get the films in there and I always end up gagging. LOL

 

[Sky56]

Yes, I would think that fear of the dentist is very hard to deal with, especially when you know you have to go to maintain your health...At least with my fear of flying, I just make sure I don't get on a plane, it is ten years now since I've flown. Before that, I would take drugs before I flew. I know I would have an unbearable panic attack if I got on a plane now. Funny how everyone's fears are different.

 

[usnwife]

Ummm, YES. However, I am more scared of looking like a Carnie, so I find the courage to go.

 

[pregcurious]

Not afraid. I had 2 wisdom teeth extracted with only local anesthetic, while awake. I didn't enjoy it, but I survived.

 

[luv2sparkle]

Terrified. I think my dentist makes up the things he says I need to have done. I have to go tomorrow. I really don't want to.

 

[lulu]

I do my colonoscopies without sedation. The dentist is afraid of me.

 

[mrswahs]

I love going to the dentist! I've only had a few fillings and minor drilling done and that was without anesthesia. I figured if I could sit through 4+ hours straight of tattooing, I can sit through a minute or two of drilling on my teeth.

I love going to the dentist though for the cleanings! It feels awesome afterwards

 

[eh613c]

I'm ok going to the dentist. I get nervous while waiting in the lobby but once my dental hygienist sits me, I'm ok. She's very reassuring and gentle. I had a bad experience with the dentist when I was kid thus the nervousness. My husband, on the other hand, L.O.V.E.S. going to the dentist !!!!!! I know, he's weird!

 

[Begonia]

Okay, here's what you gotta do.

It's what I used to do every time I needed a Pap test (which I loathed and scared the crap out of me).

First, you gotta save up a few bucks.

Then, you gotta find a really kind and (dare I say) handsome dentist.

You go to the dentist and have him walk you through the procedure every step of the way. It helps if he has lovely eyes.

Then, you go buy yourself a really nice (and preferably expensive) pair of earrings immediately afterward.

What the hell is that called again? Pavlovian? Skinnerian? Can't recall. Doesn't matter.

It works, and you got something shiny out of the deal.

I've got 75 pairs of nice earrings.

 

[rosetta]

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!

I really have to book an appointment. I've been so busy I haven't been in almost 2years!! I definitely need a clean

 

[AprilBaby]

Nah! I go there every day! I'm a hygienist!

 

[kenny]

Ignore your teeth and they'll go away.

 

[TooPatient]

Okay, here's what you gotta do.

It's what I used to do every time I needed a Pap test (which I loathed and scared the crap out of me).

First, you gotta save up a few bucks.

Then, you gotta find a really kind and (dare I say) handsome dentist.

You go to the dentist and have him walk you through the procedure every step of the way. It helps if he has lovely eyes.

Then, you go buy yourself a really nice (and preferably expensive) pair of earrings immediately afterward.

What the hell is that called again? Pavlovian? Skinnerian? Can't recall. Doesn't matter.

It works, and you got something shiny out of the deal.

I've got 75 pairs of nice earrings.

75 papsmeres?!

 

[Kaleigh]

I would rather have brain surgery, which may be something in my future. I have had bad experiences at the dentist, have to go back on Monday... I crack him up, because I am like dude you are so not doing this, and you are not doing that... He said I know not to argue with you. I have been through hell and back... Good thing he has a good sense of humor. He even sent me jaw breakers after a procedure. I was like haha... Can I sue you now?? LOL...

 

[Begonia]

75 papsmeres?!

No, you goof!

I buy the for other things I hate too.

 

[TooPatient]

75 papsmeres?!

No, you goof!

I buy the for other things I hate too.

Everyone's got to have a hobby!

I was wondering what your husband thought of the long parade of good looking doctors examining you and then you showing up at home with sparklies


Seriously though, that is not a half bad idea. (the sparklies, not a whole bunch of exams!)
I hate hate HATE anything that even potentially involves a needle anywhere near my body. Maybe with enough sedatives and the promise of sparklies I could be convinced to hold still for the poor nurses.

 

[Begonia]

See, that's the thing.

I love sparkly things - borders on obsession really. Maybe you have to be at the obsession level for it to work...hmmm.

So the whole time I'm there, I'm plotting and planning what I'm gonna go get in just a few short minutes.

When I'm in the chair/stirrups /meeting with son's teacher (or whatever is gonna be a doozer), the plotting and planning grounds me somehow. Now I don't even have to go buy them anymore. Just knowing I could seems to do the trick. Classic Pavlovian (?).

Suze Orman would have a heyday with me likely.

Well in my defence, I really fabulous Americano (or Canadiano as we call them) is working these days

 

[Fly Girl]

I have a great dentist. I go every 6 months for a cleaning, and I always pick the hygienist with the gentlest hands. I wear a mouth guard that has taken away the pain in my jaw. We found him at the beginning of his career and our children grew up seeing only him. He has been there for every dental emergency, and there have been several. I dread when he (and we) all retire, because I hate the idea of having to find another dentist.

 

[Mikla]

I. HATE. THE. DENTIST. Never met one that I liked. When I was a kid, my dentist gave me fillings every time I went to see him. Sometimes without any numbing. I told my mom how mean the guy was to me, but she couldn't understand that it was more than me trying to get out of the appointment. Since then, I have been to many dentists. I have never had another cavity. Methinks the a$$hole just drilled into my teeth to make money. I so hate drills to this day, I'm nervous when I get my nails done. As I said, I change dentists every time I need to go to one because they don't care if you're in pain, they just want to do the job so they can get paid. Hate them!

 

[ponder]

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!

Ask your endodontist for a referal. He sees a lot of different work, done by alot of different dentists, and should be able to direct you to a good one.

 

[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!

Ask your endodontist for a referal. He sees a lot of different work, done by alot of different dentists, and should be able to direct you to a good one.

Ponder, I did ask him when I first needed a dentist but he absolutely refuses to recommend a specific dentist because that is his bread and butter- referrals from dentists. My dad (retired dentist) recommended this endodontist to me- that's the way an endodontist builds his practice basically. So he won't recommend a dentist because he doesn't want any repercussions re the dentists he doesn't recommend to me if that makes sense. It's very frustrating to be sure. Still need a dentist as my pain is getting greater. I literally cannot chew anything or drink anything on my left side. Ugh!!

 

[Mikla]

I do my colonoscopies without sedation. The dentist is afraid of me.

Hahaha! That's hysterical!

 

[ponder]

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!

Ask your endodontist for a referal. He sees a lot of different work, done by alot of different dentists, and should be able to direct you to a good one.

Ponder, I did ask him when I first needed a dentist but he absolutely refuses to recommend a specific dentist because that is his bread and butter- referrals from dentists. My dad (retired dentist) recommended this endodontist to me- that's the way an endodontist builds his practice basically. So he won't recommend a dentist because he doesn't want any repercussions re the dentists he doesn't recommend to me if that makes sense. It's very frustrating to be sure. Still need a dentist as my pain is getting greater. I literally cannot chew anything or drink anything on my left side. Ugh!!

Hmmm. Interesting philosophy. I recommended this route b/c our specialists do it all the time. DH is a dentist and I'm a hygienist and while we dont get a ton of referrals from our specialists we do get the odd patient referred from a specialist because the patient has no primary general dentist for one reason or another. It would be one thing if the specialist were redirecting patients to other general dentists, but recommending a few general dentists in your area to check out should not be a big deal. if he is not helpful, I would just start asking friends/family/coworkers who they like and go from there.

 

[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!

Ask your endodontist for a referal. He sees a lot of different work, done by alot of different dentists, and should be able to direct you to a good one.

Ponder, I did ask him when I first needed a dentist but he absolutely refuses to recommend a specific dentist because that is his bread and butter- referrals from dentists. My dad (retired dentist) recommended this endodontist to me- that's the way an endodontist builds his practice basically. So he won't recommend a dentist because he doesn't want any repercussions re the dentists he doesn't recommend to me if that makes sense. It's very frustrating to be sure. Still need a dentist as my pain is getting greater. I literally cannot chew anything or drink anything on my left side. Ugh!!

Hmmm. Interesting philosophy. I recommended this route b/c our specialists do it all the time. DH is a dentist and I'm a hygienist and while we dont get a ton of referrals from our specialists we do get the odd patient referred from a specialist because the patient has no primary general dentist for one reason or another. It would be one thing if the specialist were redirecting patients to other general dentists, but recommending a few general dentists in your area to check out should not be a big deal. if he is not helpful, I would just start asking friends/family/coworkers who they like and go from there.

Thank you Ponder. That was my thinking as well and if he wasn't such a good endodontist I would go to another!
Too bad you're not in NYC... I would love to go to you and your dh.