Really embarassing...?!

Really embarassing...?

Today our new dentist said I had 2 cavities. He said he could have filled them today, I wouldn't do it and I cried. I am really embarassed. I have had a cavity before and it hurt so bad. Do they ALWAYS hurt? or did I just have a bad experience?

This dentist also doesn't have laughing gas. Is that a problem if I'm afraid of dentists?

Thanks.

I just came from the dentist where I had my bottom two front teeth pulled (I had a bad abscess and the bone in my jaw is pretty much gone in that spot).

Normally I would ask for Ativan or gas because I'm a real chicken when it comes to having stuff like this done. I couldn't get the good stuff today, though, because I'm pregnant. They wouldn't even give me pain medicine for afterwards, and believe me, I'm hurtin' right now! The Novocain took care of the pain during the procedure, though, and aside from all the unpleasant noises, it wasn't unbearable.

I was shaky when he was finished, but I sat in the chair and did some deep breathing for a few minutes, and I was just fine.

My recommendation would be to just go ahead and get it taken care of. Chances are good that you had a bad experience last time and it won't be so bad with this new dentist. Sure, the Novocain shots don't feel great, but getting cavities filled is MUCH easier than going through what I just did. If you let a cavity go for too long, you run the risk of having to get a root canal or losing the tooth entirely. I would have definitely preferred a filling today!

If the dentist doesn't have nitrous oxide gas, ask about having them prescribe you one tranquilizer pill (Ativan, Valium, or whatever they might use at their practice) beforehand. You take it about an hour before your appointment and then you don't care too darned much what they do to you. Just make sure you have someone with you who can drive you there and back home.

Also, lots of dentists have figured out that the shots aren't so bad if they use a topical anesthetic, like Orajel, on the gum first. It's usually cherry-flavored. Ask for it!

Good luck!