Dental Phobia

[JJ_8613]

Hi everyone.

I'm struggling right now with Dental Phobia. I've had this since I was a young child and now as an adult, it's gotten to the point where I can't manage it anymore.

For years I've been forcing myself to go to the dentist to get my regular check ups and cleanings. Now I'm at the point where even a simple cleaning appointment or check up makes me extremely anxious and fearful.

I've had a lot of problems with my teeth over the years and it's only getting worse. I've had more cavities filled than I can count. I've had 4 root canals in my life and one of them was only a few weeks ago. Also dealing with adult braces which are almost ready to come off after 3 1/2 years.

My anxiety and phobia is way out of control now. Just getting a toothache or thinking about going to the dentist disrupts my life. I'm loosing sleep, having nightmares and I've started having flashbacks about past dental visits.

I finally made the decision to start seeing a sedation dentist who uses nitrous oxide. I was up front with them when I made the appointment on the phone and told them about my anxiety and phobia and the severity. This new patient appointment is in about a week and a half and I'm already nervous about it.

I know I need to have some restorative work done on my teeth soon, as I now have 3 teeth that have had root canals that need to get crowns. The catch is I have to wait until I get my braces off to get the crowns. I'm getting increasing nervous about the procedure as I know nothing about it and I'm starting to worry about the amount of time that has passed since getting the root canals. Two of the teeth had the work done about a year and a half ago.

So, I'm just really trying to find a way to deal with all of this. I really hope the nitrous oxide helps me, because if it doesn't I don't know what I'll do. I'm planning to get some therapy for my phobia at some point, but can't currently due to financial issues.

This has all just gotten out of hand. The last time I went to the dentist I nearly cried.

Dental appointments are also difficult for me due to TMJ problems/pain and that I'm hard to numb for dental work. This has led to a fear of needles/injections.

Any advice or comments would be great. I just really need help coping with this.

Thanks.

JJ

 

[Zuri Barniv]

I find that oral sedatives help my fearful patients. The medicine is basically a glorified sleeping pill like Halcion (Triazolam), Valium or Ativan and it really calms the nerves much more effectively than laughing gas. The disadvantage is you cannot be pregnant when taking it, someone has to drive you to and from the appointment and you will be groggy most of the day. There are other risks the dentist can discuss with you. Overall, it may be worth trying.

 

[Enhance Dentist]

Tell all your concerns to the dentist. I believe he/she will understand what your worries and fears about. But if you are afraid of surgery, some doctor recommends their patient to have anesthesia that puts you to sleep. Just be open, nothing to be feared of.

 

[JJ_8613]

Hi again.

Thank you both for your replies.

I did tell my dentist about my dental phobia and anxiety at my first appointment. I actually wrote a letter ahead of time detailing my concerns and past traumas and so forth. We went over it all together and he said that he understood and that there would be no problem accommodating me.

He actually offered me Valium to try, but I did turn him down because I don't want to have an escort home and I need to be able to go to work after appointments.

He was very understanding and he and his staff are working with me on my issues.

The only thing I've ever felt I need to be out for is extractions. I don't know why, but for some reason those really scare me.

Thanks again.

JJ

 

[Jordan]

Hi again.

Thank you both for your replies.

I did tell my dentist about my dental phobia and anxiety at my first appointment. I actually wrote a letter ahead of time detailing my concerns and past traumas and so forth. We went over it all together and he said that he understood and that there would be no problem accommodating me.

He actually offered me Valium to try, but I did turn him down because I don't want to have an escort home and I need to be able to go to work after appointments.

He was very understanding and he and his staff are working with me on my issues.

The only thing I've ever felt I need to be out for is extractions. I don't know why, but for some reason those really scare me.

Thanks again.

JJ

I had similar problems growing up. Like another member suggested. Going to your Dentist was your best option and it looks like it worked out for the best. Hopefully you and your Dentist can work towards getting you more comfortable.

 

[JJ_8613]

Hi.

Thank you for your reply.

I'm sorry you've dealt with this also.

I actually have seen this dentist 3 times now. One was an emergency appointment. I have an appointment today for a deep cleaning. I'm leaving in about 30 minutes for it. I'm a nervous wreck though. I still haven't gotten my phobia and anxiety under control. I'm nervous, anxious and fearful. I've never had this kind of work done before and since my teeth and gums are really sensitive I'm afraid to have something like this done.

This dentist and his staff are really good with me though. They're very patient and they go at my pace.

They're even having an assistant go in with me, at my request, because I know her the best out of all the staff so far. She really puts me at ease. At least as much as I can be at the dentist.

I'll update you all when I get back.

Thanks.

JJ

 

[JJ_8613]

Hi all.

I'm feeling relieved right now. Just got back from my dentist's appointment for my deep cleaning. I'm having a little gum tenderness and soreness, but this is normal and to be expected.

The hygienist showed me before and after pictures after we'd finished. I can't believe it. My teeth went from yellow to a shiny white. They look like they're brand new again. My gums went from a puffy red to a healthy pink. This was all just from one appointment.

I had the nitrous oxide even though I paid out of pocket. That stuff works miracles. I went from an anxious, nervous, fearful mess to completely relaxed. Honestly it feels like you've had too much to drink, but my anxiety was gone in just a few minutes. The hygienist told me that the procedure actually took 2 1/2 hours instead of two like we though it'd be. I couldn't believe it though, because it only felt like 15 - 20 minutes. I guess the nitrous makes you lose sense of time temporarily and they said that's how it is for some people.

I'm just so glad I went. That appointment prevented me from getting periodontal disease, which is irreversible and causes lots of problems.

Thank you all for your support.

JJ

 

[Enrique]

Dental techniques have improved so much over the last few years that modern dental treatment can now be completely painless. Despite this, most people still feel a little nervous at the thought of going to the dentist. If you have not been to see a dentist for some time, you will probably find that things have improved a lot since your last visit. The general attitude is likely to be more relaxed, the dental techniques and safety procedures will be much better, and the equipment will be more up to date. If you fear going to the dentist it will not affect your oral health but also your overall health and also will leave a bad impression on your family as they will also fear to go to dentist. Therefore it is very much important to find a good dental clinic which not helps to overcome your dental phobia but also provides complete dental care to your family as well.

 

[JJ_8613]

Hi everyone.

I see it's been awhile since I've been on here. I have some updates.

As for the dental side, all is well right now. No problems currently with my teeth or gums. My new insurance through work kicks in on March 20, 2016. I'm planning to schedule a dental appointment in early April.

I had a bit of a rough start because this is a new dental office. I've never been there before and never even met the doctor. I re-scheduled one appointment already, due to work. I missed another appointment just due to my own fear and anxiety. So, I'm not calling them yet until I know for sure that I can and will go.

The good thing about the new job is that I will have some week days off and work some weekends. That will definitely help my anxiety, as I won't feel rushed during my dental appointments and have to rush back to work after.

So, right now I'm feeling nervous. My first appointment with the new office will be a new patient exam and x-rays. Then I'll have to schedule a cleaning. Then the real work begins. I still have 4 molars with root canal treatments that need crowns. I also will have to ask the new doctor about my other issues, like the external root resorption in 3 teeth and whatever else he may find. I'll have to find out if I’m still in early periodontal disease or if it's gotten better or worse.

So many unknowns really make me nervous.

The good thing is that with my new job, I'm a federal employee, so the benefits I signed up for will really help with the cost. I have a high amount with my dental insurance, so they will cover half of all major work (including crowns) and the annual maximum allowed is high.

So many things I've been waiting to do, but I was waiting on this new job and insurance.

I also have to get my glasses prescription renewed. I'm near sighted, so I can see near, but not far without glasses. My current pair is two or more years old, and I can tell the prescription is getting fuzzy now. Time for a new pair.


Oh, also I really researched my insurances before I chose them. My new dentist who I want to start seeing, Dr. C., is on the insurance approved list and if I ever have to have root canal work done or re-done my endodonist, Dr. G., is also on the insurance approved list. That was one of my big worries was that I wouldn't be able to continue seeing them both.

I think that's all for the update. It's really just dental anxiety and fear starting to build up again.

I hope you are all doing well.

Thanks for reading.

JJ