I only have to get my teeth cleaned, but I so dread the visit.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

Over the last few years, I have just hated this. 6 months now rolls around like it's only 2-3 months. I have no idea why I'm beginning to have such dread after all these years. It's just not like me. There's no pain involved, but I think I'm leary they'll find something and I'll need more work somewhere. Nothing's going wrong or is wrong, but I practically have to fight off calling and canceling the visit.

Anyone else go through this? It's a real agonizing thing now. I've been through caps and root canals. I hate the dentist chair though...I don't want any work done. I think that's it.

ID2 · ‎06-25-2012

I have a great dentist. I've had my share of work done but absolutely NO pain whatsoever! The dental hygentists are just as great! I acually look forward to going there twice a year!!

"Pure Michigan"

drizzellla · ‎03-14-2010

Happens to me all the time. And also in my case it is not the cleaning I dread - it is the "there is a thing or two I want the dentist to look at" statement. Then the dentist says he wants to replace a filling. And after the filling is replaced, it seems that the tooth will crack, and after that I need root canal and crown, and after that I need an implant and another crown.

There is always something that needs to be done. Not only did I have to take vacation time to go to all the specialists but all the money I spent. It seems there was always something that had to be done.

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@drizzellla wrote:
Happens to me all the time. And also in my case it is not the cleaning I dread - it is the "there is a thing or two I want the dentist to look at" statement. Then the dentist says he wants to replace a filling. And after the filling is replaced, it seems that the tooth will crack, and after that I need root canal and crown, and after that I need an implant and another crown.

There is always something that needs to be done. Not only did I have to take vacation time to go to all the specialists but all the money I spent. It seems there was always something that had to be done.

@drizzelllaSo much truth in that! I think at some point I had so much work done, really only a tooth root canal and cap, I practically ran screaming from the chair and that was years ago. It just panics me now. But you're absolutely right, the tooth-domino affect LOL.

Sweetbay magnolia · ‎04-14-2013

I used to really hate cleanings when I went to a hygienist who, though a lovely person, very thorough, and in charge of my cleanings for 30+ years, took what seemed like FOREVER and poked beyond belief (may I add I also have frequently blocked sinuses which makes the whole thing worse).

I waved goodbye to that era and now am in the care of a practice that suits me better. My hygienist is quick and efficient and the dentist is a gracious and skilled person with whom I have developed a care plan. I've had the crowns, replacement crowns, root canals before and after crowns, new fillings, braces . . . I do not relish it but it's high on my list of important things.

There was a visit last year where I almost just bolted out of the chair because I was so scared (the Novacaine wasn't enough and we had to try again). Now that I think about it it is just miserable at times. I have been known to cry in the chair - not sobbing, just tears streaming. But necessary. Thank heavens for Novacaine.

Cogito ergo sum

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

My father was a dentist. My nephew and my brother are dentists. In fact, I was my dentist's first patient, since he went to dental school with my brother and I met him at the graduation ceremony. He was opening a practice in my home town. Just this past fall, I became my dentist's last patient when he announced his retirement. I insisted that I be there to close the circle of his career. It was a tearful moment. I'm biased but dentists are great people (except for that awful lion hunter).

Seriously, though, your rational mind knows your fears are groundless but your gut tells you otherwise. Have you discussed this with your dentist? Believe me, they know about fears people have. Perhaps your doctor can prescribe a mild anti-anxiety medication for a few days to allay your uncomfortable feelings. Then there's always the grin-and-bear-it approach. I do that every time I have to see my dermatologist after having had melanoma, and my endocrinologist, after having had thyroid cancer. And after my best friend had breast cancer, I go for my mammogram with butterflies in my stomach...BUT I GO! Right now I'm fighting an intestinal MRSA bug that's a mystery to all my doctors. When they took an abdominal CT scan they found two small lesions on my spleen. Since I had melanoma, these probably-nothing findings have to be examined because there's a chance they could be something. I'm scared but I see the oncologist Friday. I called my family doctor and she prescribed a week's worth of Xanax to keep me calm, or at least calmer.

Today is my 69th birthday. If I've learned anything in those close to three-score-and-ten years, it's that we have to tackle our fears head-on...but get whatever help you can to see you through it...your health care provider, your friends, your church, meditation, cursing, or all of the above. If you do nothing and avoid taking care of your teeth, or any other body part, you won't make things any better or safer for yourself. You'll only prolong the anxiety. Better to find out if anything's wrong and deal with it, or even find out that all is right! Good luck.

Campion · ‎10-21-2011

I don't like it either. But my dentist has headphones and TV or you can bring your own earbuds. It helps. I think my problem is I hate hanging my mouth open for so long. But it feels WONDERFUL afterwards doesn't it?

Sweetbay magnolia · ‎04-14-2013

The best was, in my younger days the dentist would administer nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Not a care in the world while he drilled away.

Cogito ergo sum

qualitygal · ‎10-04-2010

@Vivian, thanks for responding and mine is a minute problem compared to yours. Mine's a walk in the park and I do wish you the best, I do read your other posts too. I do wish you well. Teeth and their health is all important to me, I was raised that way, it's just lately and once the visit is on and I'm done, and no problems, it's fine. I'm just anticipating the "what if's". I need to talk myself out of those.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BY THE WAY!!!

Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Vivian, Happy Birthday to you!!

itsmagic · ‎08-08-2011

I feel the same way about going to the dentist for a cleaning. Except I get my teeth cleaned every 4 months so they really come around fast! I'm always leary about what the dentist is going to say - when it comes to my teeth it's always bad news.