I am so nervous about going to the dentist! How can i stay calm?!


Question: I am so nervous about going to the dentist! How can i stay calm?
I have a check-up appointment at the dentist tomorrow and i am extremely nervous. Every time i go, i'm always having to get some work done (mainly fillings). I think i have developed another cavity on my back tooth and now i am getting scared. I also hate the cleaning process and he is quite rigorous and it makes my gums bleed afterward, it hurts while he's cleaning them. I have told him this, but he says thats how it's supposed to be done.
I am afraid i'll have to make another appointment to come back to get the filling done, so i'll be worrying constantly until that appointment day. I would rather get it over and done with tomorrow but it might not be possible.
My mind is going crazy and i start thinking 'What if he says i need a root canal instead of a just filling?' I keep scaring myself. (I've never had a root canal).
I'm 21, i've had dental work all my life and i should be used to it, but i just keep worrying, i can't help it.
I'd really appreciate any tips on how i can get through this without worrying so much. Thanks for reading!

Answers:

Hey. Firstly I know how you feel. Fear of the dentist is really bad isnt it. I have a real phobia of the dentist, so much so that I felt sick just thinking about it. Sound familiar? I hadnt been in 12 years (im 25 now) but went for a checkup a few weeks back as I had a cavity in one of my back lower teeth. I booked the appointment, and dragged myself to go and get it sorted. I thought about it constantly, couldnt sleep, and just could not for the life of me get it out of my mind. Let me tell you this, and I mean this genuinely. The fear, and anticipation is much worse than any treatment I have ever had. I had a filling, and it was quite a deep one. Whilst i didnt at all enjoy it, it wasnt anywhere near as bad as Id convinced my self it would be. I promise, no pain, just some uncomfortable noises!!!

Try and relax. If you're like me, you wont do...but do try. The feeling you get once you walk out of that dentist is amazing. Good luck

experience



Try a few drops of Bach Rescue Remedy before your appointment and focus on your breathing during the appointment-kind of like self hypnosis. Remember that you are in control and your dentist will stop anytime if you want him to. Tooth decay is 100% preventable so it really is worth cutting out sugar and cleaning properly in future.

dentist since'93



everytime you find yourself worrying do housework to help take your mind off it,redirect your fear into energy and hopefully it'll help you. Ok it might not be a nice thing to experience you know that from the past but I think sometimes worrying about it is worse than having it done.



Hi,

I had headgear, retainer, braces and plate braces. That hurts. You are getting a filling. Consider yourself lucky.

Btw there isnt a snowball chance in hell he will say you need a root canal. Do you even know what that is?



good and funny book. i sent them a picture of the book but they wouldn't publish it because i didn't buy the book from them :(

http://www.amazon.com/Overcome-Fear-Dent…

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1…

the voy



You can refuse a cleaning you know. A money maker for sure! My cleaning never hurts btw. You may want to see if you have calcium deficiency. I have had 3 root canals and numerous fillings due to calcium deficiency. Root canals don't hurt either. A good dentist doesn't cause this type of anxiety. I go with full confidence i will have no problems. :) You may want to visit another dentist.

Easy test for calcium deficiency - tap the angle of the jaw and the lips will twitch if you have a deficiency >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ-xMeNAq…

RedAngel



Well I suggest you just think about the benefits. If you don't get it done your tooth could decay worse and then cause pain from that..which would lead to getting it pulled. I have had 3 or 4 teeth pulled and gotten many cavities taken care of. Now I have no cavities and my teeth don't need to be pulled anymore. I didn't like it at first but now I am glad cause I don't have to worry about how my teeth are besides brushing and stuff. No cavities or anything. All because my dentist fixed them. Don't worry, There can always be worse done so just be happy it's only cavities.

~Hanna~



Getting cleaning and fillings is not a big deal, dear.
like you said, you had dental work all your life, then you should've been pretty fine with that.
well, everytime, go to dentist for cleaning and filling, there is of course blood coming out.
that is not a big deal.. i'm sure it wont hurt. maybe just uncomfortable. Just be relax and calm.
the dentist know what is he doing and just trust him. cause he will make your teeth look great.
and if you are scared of going to dentist again, then you should take good care of your teeth.
dont eat too much sweety food. Don't scared yourself by saying, maybe he gonna do this. or maybe this. it just make you extremely nervous. just be relax and tell yourself everything's gonna be ok cause it just a simple procedure and it gonna end very fast. :)

i very rare went to dentist and i'm more scared than you. but i just try to be relax and calm.
i even got my 4 tooth extracted at the same day for my braces.
and he inject 6 shot to my gums and it hurt but still i think everyone can bear the pain.
be more courageous and everything's gonna be alright. :)
or maybe when you go in for fillings, bring your mum or anyone that can make you feel better.
when my 4 teeth are extracted, my mum was beside me and it was a BIG relieve for me cause my mum was beside me. :)

Experience and Have fun! dont be scared! :D Good luck



Hello
I totally understand how you feel as I am the same. I so fear going to the dentists and have for years. When I was a child I had to see a Specialist and have 2 teeth pulled and had to wear a brace for 2 years with Head gear at night. Since then I have had loads of fillings and 2 root canals and 2 crowns. I also had painful wisdom teeth problems with gums infections. I have been back to my dentist 8 times in the last 8 weeks with problems and I was a mental wreck. I find it hard just getting through the door, let alone having a check up or anything done.

But I force myself knowing if I catch any problems fast the easier they are to treat and cheaper too. On the day before and day of appointment I keep myself really busy so I do not have time to worry and work myself up over it. I exercise and garden and clean the house. I also have sedation if I need major work doing as I get so nervous I feel sick and dizzy. I had Valium when I needed root canal treatment as the treatment takes a long time and I gag when I get nervous. The Valium really helped calm me down and the sick panicky feeling went away. I will always ask for Valium now if I need a filling or anything more major as they help you relax and get me through the appointment. They were only £7 too. I took 1 pill the night before, 1 pill when I woke up and 1 pill one hour before appointment.

Your dentist does not sound very understanding. Maybe you should ask around and find a dentist who is very good with nervous patients and change dentists. If you trust your dentist that helps big time with nerves . When I had my teeth cleaned it did not hurt. You need to trust your dentist and feel comfy with them and what they do. Tell your current dentist how nervous you are and how it effects you. Maybe they do not know.

Anyway do not worry about having a filling done. They are simple. Do not worry about root canals as I have had 2 and if I can do it, anyone can. They did not hurt either, they just took longer with 2 appointments. Maybe you could have sedation too when having work done ? It is an option.

Hope that helps and try not to worry( hard I know) and keep busy.

take care

myself as I fear the dentist from having so much work done




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