Scared & embarassed of visiting the dentist!?!


Question: Scared & embarassed of visiting the dentist!.?
I haven't been in ages...my teeth look pretty good to the eye...ie they are quite white and straight. The thing is i think i developed a fear of the dentist & didn't go FOR YEARS as a young adult (from when i got married) and then as i had children i started taking them a few years ago and i finally got on the NHS and went to the dentist, almost 2 years ago. I was so so scared. And the dentist stated 'i had a few small holes that would probably be best being filled' and i should have a scrape and polish in the near future.
I was so scared i kept putting this off- plus the 'excuse' of having a child who i had nobody to look after in the day (this is not an exaggeration, i would have had to take him with me) and now it is almost 2 years since then- my son now goes to morning nursery so i no longer have that 'excuse' but i feel embarrassed to contact my dentist! Like, she said 2 years ago i needed these fillings and so it must be worse now and i feel really stupid for not going and for being scared (ive given birth for goodness sake, how bad can it be.?!) but i am so scared just thinking about it makes me want to faint!
Any advice and words of comfort for me to make this step, stop being an idiot and pull myself together- now i feel it is 50% fear but definatly mixed with a large embarrassment factor- Health Question & Answer


Answers:
Want to hear something interesting.? I'm a third year dental student so I'm in clinic now with my own patients. Well, first of all we've seen ALLLL kinds of horrific mouths. Nothing close to what yours is. (And if we haven't seen it in real life, we've learned about it with photos during lecture.) And the people who come in humiliated that they haven't been in a few years tend to not have too many problems. However, sometimes we see people who have what we call "bombed out mouths" (every tooth is decayed, some all the way down to the gum line), or bad periodontal problems (with awful smells and pus pouring out of the gums), you name it. And those people aren't aware that anything's wrong.

So trust me: I have seen worse, and your experienced dentist will have seen much worse. :) So at least put THAT worry out of your head.

First ask to speak with the dentist on the phone, or at least at the very beginning of the appointment. Say that you are an anxious patient, and a bit embarrassed about the length of time. Say that you'd love to learn ways to feel less worried and do best with reassurance (instead of being lectured.) Therefore, right away you've made your intentions known and the dentist will know how to approach you. And only go to a dentist that is receptive to these concerns and seems willing to help. I'd love treating you, because I like to work with anxious people and get them back on the right track. So make sure you choose the right dentist. :)

As for ways to feel less anxious: a lot of that will come with going back repeatedly and just getting more used to the dentist. NEVER let a procedure continue if you aren't totally numb. The injections are annoying, but it's MUCH worse to feel what's going on. A lot of people need another bit of novacaine in the middle of a filling, so don't be too shy to ask for it.

There are also ways to reduce the fear of needles (asking to see the needle get put together, asking for topical anesthetic beforehand, lifting your feet up slowly and letting them down during the injection, keeping your eyes open, and asking the dentist to talk during the injection.)

And lastly, asking a lot of questions and knowing what's going on is your best bet against being afraid.

Good luck! Just GO FOR IT. :) Call them this moment and set up an appointment!Health Question & Answer

Hi, i am just the same I hate the dentist and anything to do with teeth, I have to get a referral to a dental hospital then get sedated, you can ask about this. Good luck hope it goes wellHealth Question & Answer

If fear is the biggest factor consider discussing sedation dentistry with your doctor. For many oral conscious sedation works very well.Health Question & Answer

With the latest technology, the worst that happens during a filling is the dentist hitting a sensitive spot (it itches like crazy for a second). The pain of having a "small hole" eroding into the pulp chamber is FAR worse. Have those small holes filled, you'll be glad you overcame your fear.

As far as embarrassment, most dentists have many patients who delay going - for years - so don't be embarrassed. You could judt say something like, "well, it took 2 years, but I'm finally here." The dentist will probably say "that's what matters" and think no more of it.Health Question & Answer

im usually very very very scared being im only fifteen but anyways ive had alot of work done recently to my mouth do to not bein a good brusher i have ten cavaries none of which im proud of. i would suggest getting laughing gas it calms the nerves. fillings dont hurt the needle isnt even a little pich you dont feel it. and dont be embarresed you think that they dont skip appointments once in a while. but just go and get it done soon and it wont be bad.

goood luckHealth Question & Answer

Many people are scared, and/or embarrassed, of going to the dentist. But it's nothing to worry. I used to have braces, and I was so scared of what they might do. But I talked to my dentist and they walked through everything they were going to do, and it made me feel much better. If you ask your dentist what exactly they will do, it will give you some comfort, and usually when they do fillings, they give you some laughing gas or something so nothing will hurt and you will be comfortable. Besides, the dentists are trained professionals and they know what they are doing. No worries! Hope this helped!Health Question & Answer

Your embarrassment is unfounded. Dentists don't get together after work and compare stories about how bad their patients' teeth were. The dentist doesn't care, trust me on this.

Plus, no matter how bad your teeth are, he has seen worse. If you say your teeth look good to the naked eye, then you're already looking better than half of this guy's patients.

As for the fear, well, I could tell you there's nothing to be afraid of, which would be the truth, but I'm not sure how much good that does for you.

I'm assuming this is just an exam, so all he's probably gonna do is look in your mouth with a tiny mirror and a little poking device. The poking device is just used to probe your teeth for cavities, and it doesn't hurt; you barely even feel it.Health Question & Answer

Dentists understand the way you feel. Nobody _enjoys_ going to the dentist. Just make the appointment and the most they'll say is something about how long it's been. And there've been some remarkable advances in anesthetics, so don't worry about that part. Really, you're not that different from anyone else, but you do need to get those teeth taken care of. Think about this, if you don't go now, it'll just be worse later on. Go on, make the appointment. You can do it!Health Question & Answer

Hey it's ok. A lot of people are scared of silly things. i have a friend who's afraid of the hairdressers. Anyways to get over this fear, go to a new dentist so you don't feel guilty about not showing up for appointments. Just remember that the dentists aren't going to try to hurt you. They want you to be as comfortable as possible. The point of the dentist is to keep your teeth healthy. Set a good example for your son and conquer your fears. Good luck!Health Question & Answer



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