topic Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist.. in Community Chat

Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:28:16 GMT

I know it's silly and stupid but I have always had a fear of going to the dentist. For Pete's sake is am grown woman who has had 2 kids, internal bleeding from an ectopic pregnancy and subsequent surgery, severely sprained ankle etc so I am not a wuss when it comes to pain/discomfort. What is wrong with me? The dentist I had in the past was good but I still get jumpy going. I know some comes from the dentist I had as a kid over 55 years ago. Dr. Pierce and he lived up to his name. I have an appointment today at noon with a new one so it should be an interesting day.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

HollyDays — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:30:01 GMT

yes i hate it. I blame it on some traumatic incidents I had with dentists and doctors when I was a child.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

Pqfan — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:30:36 GMT

I am not afraid of the treatment. I am afraid of the costs.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

sidsmom — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:31:42 GMT

Ask if you can bring an iPod....sometimes it's the noise that bothers many. I, personally, can almost sleep through a dentist appointment! Hee.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

terrier3 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:31:48 GMT

You just need to find the RIGHT dentist.

My dentist is fantastic - I went to his grandfather when I was little.

He just stopped doing cavities...I had a new member of his practice last week. It was painless, simple and over in just a few minutes.

They even offered free hand massages...I declined...it was over too soon!

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

circles — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:32:38 GMT

yes, I am not fond of going...I have to force myself...I recently cancelled an appointment because I had myself so worked up going....that I actually made myself sick...I have yet to make another appointment...

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

brii — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:33:37 GMT

I don't like going. It's the sounds that bother me more than anything, I think. I feel all gaggy sometimes too.

Thankfully, I found a very patient hygienist who takes her time and doesn't cause me anymore anxiety.

I haven't had a cavity or any work that requires the dentist. If I did, I don't know what I'd do. I have a very high pain threshold, but dental work just causes me a lot of anxiety. Even hearing what other people are having done makes me queasy.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

brii — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:34:24 GMT

On 3/5/2015 Pqfan said: I am not afraid of the treatment. I am afraid of the costs.

Oh, and that too. Yikes!

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

sidsmom — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:41:10 GMT

brii....ask if you can listen to music during your appt.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

AnikaBrodie — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:42:08 GMT

I used to hate going to the dentist. As a child I was taken to a dentist who extracted teeth with the use of gas. I was so sick I puked for days. Do they even use that anymore?

I go to the dentist every six months for a full cleaning. Unfortunately, my current dentist retired the end of February ... and we will really miss him. DH and I both went to him for some thirty years. He recommended the name of a new dentist but I'm not due for a cleaning until late April so we'll see. He has "big shoes" to fill IMO.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

hovis — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:42:12 GMT

My father was a dentist and yes I can't stand to go.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

brii — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:43:27 GMT

On 3/5/2015 sidsmom said:
brii....ask if you can listen to music during your appt.

I can. I still hear the vibrations. LOL

I don't like the flavors of the tooth polish either. It makes me salivate too much and then I feel like I'm choking.

I just grin and bear it twice a year.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

reiki604 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:47:32 GMT

I was very fearful of going to the dentist but I found one who specializes in fearful patients. I had major work done under conscious sedation and even the hygienist makes sure I have no discomfort during cleanings. Since finding this dentist I haven't missed a single cleaning and luckily have had no need for further work since the first time.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

mstyrion 1 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:01:39 GMT

It sounds like a lot of us developed fear of the dentist from childhood bad experiences.

Growing up, I went to a dentist who didn't feel it was necessary to give Novocaine to kids when he filled a cavity. I can still remember being terrified by the pain.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

CrazyKittyLvr2 — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:01:54 GMT

Wow I thought I was the only one. I agree that the sound is a big factor. I broken a back tooth off and I know that baby is going to have to come out. My husband and daughter both go to this dentist and like her. Said she is really good and she and all of her staff are funny and joke around. I am not having that extraction done without being out like a light. She refers you to a dental surgeon. They did my daughter's wisdom teeth. She went in, IV sedation and it took 45 minutes to do 4 teeth. Daughter said it was no big deal. I remember having a tooth pulled and the tugging and sound was awful so i am taking the chicken way out. I have also had the nitrous oxide "laughing gas" thing. So I get to dread the whole thing until I get the referral appointment. Thanks for letting me know I am not alone.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

Justina rae — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:03:44 GMT

On 3/5/2015 brii said:
On 3/5/2015 sidsmom said:
brii....ask if you can listen to music during your appt.

I can. I still hear the vibrations. LOL

I don't like the flavors of the tooth polish either. It makes me salivate too much and then I feel like I'm choking.

I just grin and bear it twice a year.

You can tell the hygienist that you don't like the tooth polish. There may be an alternative. At any rate the polishing part of the cleaning is really not essential. I have skipped the polishing on some occasions.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

VioletEyes — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:08:43 GMT

I had a wonderful dentist when I was a child. I had no idea how good he was until I had a root canal with a dentist I went to in my 20's who tortured me. I had it finished by an excellent specialist who only does root canals but my fear of dentists stays with me to this day.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

Stella Dallas — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:12:01 GMT

Not me, although I have in the past. I now have a very good dentist who finally got my teeth in really good shape and I haven't had cavities or anything like that in years.

The only time I have "fear" is when I get the bills (good dentistry isn't cheap).

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

Krimpette — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:13:00 GMT

I'm not afraid, but there are things I'd rather do. I feel like I've spent half my life in the dentists' chairs…..implants, bone grafts, fillings, etc.

Re: Does anyone else have a fear of going to the dentist..

wildcherry — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 17:14:09 GMT

The dentist never really bothered me much. I just don't like when they have to work on a bottom tooth and half of your throat is numb. Not a comfortable feeling.