.....Total sensory deprivation and back up drugs is my usual strategy, however I recognise that this is not good - has anyone ever got over their fear of the dentist and if so, how??
2006-08-23 02:54:11 · 16 answers · asked by keriandjelly 3 in Health ➔ Dental
The only real way to get over it is to find a dentist whom you can trust.
Sometimes it can take time to earn that trust.
Be totally honest with your dentist as there are different ways to treat nervous or phobic patients. ( such as some prefer quick short visits whilst others prefer one long visit getting everything done at once. some prefer everything explained, others perfer to know nothing) It is for you to discuss with your dentist.
It may be that there is a dentist in your area who specialises in treating nervous patients, ask your dentist if there is one locally.
Once there are several different types of sedation that can be used to take away the stress of going to the dentist.
Dentists know that people do not always like coming to see them and thus have many ways of dealing with nervous patients.
Feel free to email me with any specific questions I can help you with.
2006-08-23 04:06:18 · answer #1 · answered by bobbi b 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As with a previous answer, I was in terrible pain, going up the wall in the early hours one morning, and willingly went to the dentist.
I didn't go to a dentist for a long while prior to that after an instance where one performed some botched treatment and I suffered greatly afterwards.
I was stunned at how things had changed when I went back. The treatment was much better and painless, to the extent that on one occasion I nearly fell asleep in the chair when having a filling.
From having a phobia of dentists it got to the stage where I had a gum cut and peeled back and then stitched back together after the treatment. This was totally painless and I was able to leave the dentist and go straight back to work.
Fear of dentist is a terrible thin but it can be overcome. Very best of luck. Robin
2006-08-23 10:11:49 · answer #2 · answered by robin_peel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 50 and I still hate it but it just has to be done. I went yesterday to have a molar prepared for an inlay to hold the tooth together. They had to wipe the headrest down where I'd been sweating so much. The thing is, I had let my fear keep me from attending for about 20 years so since my wife dragged me there kicking and screaming I've had several fillings, 1 extraction, and 3 caps. So face the fear and go for your checkups then you may not have to have these types of procedures done in the future.
2006-08-23 12:56:06 · answer #3 · answered by wizard prang 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everyone should be confident when going to the dentist, especially after the exposure cosmetic dentistry received from the makeover shows on TV. Of course some dentist might not have the style or character that blends with your style. Ask your dentist for a consultation this will give you a chance to let him or her know what you want with your smile. They have access to all the tooth whitening systems available, also the composite fillings that look like natural tooth structure, and of course do not forget to ask about the da Vinci veneers. One simple procedure to ask for is a computer image to show you a before and after of yourself, 2nd would be diagnostic wax-up which will show you a 3-D version of your new smile restored. Sometimes these items have a fee, but its very minor to how your new smile could change your life. So don't be afraid to ask your dentist questions and also educate yourself about all the new dental technology available today.
2006-08-23 10:46:01 · answer #4 · answered by davinciveneers extreme makeover 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i used to be SO scared of the dentist. it was because i had a crap one at age 8, who gave me a filling before waiting for the anesthesia to kick in (talk about pain), so for many years after i was scared to go again. i finally went 10 years later! and found a real nice dentist and told him i was scared of dentists and that i couldn't help it. well after a few visits i realised he wasn't going to hurt me and my fear subsided. now i can go and not be fearful at all, plus i have moved around a bunch since then and have gotten used to changing my dentists often. is there a reason that you are scared of the dentist, like i was? nowadays, its acceptable to be scared of them, whereas when i was a kid, you jus did what you were told. you don't need to be embarresed. my dentist forms even ask if I'm scared of dentists or not, so they can be extra sensitive towards that patient i suppose. if you haven't had a bad experience in the past, maybe therapy might work, some kind of hypnotism? Good luck on solving your prob.
2006-08-23 10:10:39 · answer #5 · answered by favershambles 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could always do it the way I did (not recommended though)
Get a tooth abcess, be in excruciating pain, the dentist never looked more helpful and welcoming
It did cure my fear of visiting the dentist though as I realised that he had my best interests at heart and wasn't deliberately trying to hurt me, and believe me I was very very scared of the dentist.
2006-08-23 10:02:28 · answer #6 · answered by Terry M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When ever you go to the dentist ask them for 'gas and air'. Even if its just for a check up, it makes you feel really relaxed, and talk to the dentist about your fears. If i ever have anything done i always have gas and air as I'm petrified, and I'm a dental nurse!!!!!!
2006-08-23 13:47:56 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My kids don't cry when they get their shots because I tell them before going in... "This will hurt a bit and then it will be over." Now, they watch and it never even comes down to a wince or a whine... I don't believe in sugar coating sh*it for asthetics...
Honesty is the best way to deal with anything. The dentist sux, there are no ways around it. Just tell yourself that they aren't going to kill you and that truly is the worst that can happen so...
2006-08-23 10:00:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i know how you feel i was exactly like that myself i just to get Valium whenever i went, i got so scared because when i was little my sister got something done every time she went, i was 3 yrs younger than her and thought the same would happen to me one time the dentist, his assistant and my mum had to pin me against the wall just to change the padding in my mouth as there was so much blood and i wouldn't open it. what i do now is get them to put this gel stuff on my gums before they put any needles in there just to numb the gum first, i still get a little bit nervous at times but nothing to major
2006-08-23 10:07:46 · answer #9 · answered by Scottish lass 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dislike going to the dentist intensely but luckily i have a found an absolute pearler of a dentist who is extremely good at what he does. He does not cause undue harm either.
You know what i always do... i just go. Sounds stupid but just do it. 30 minutes of your life and its over.. done
good luck
2006-08-23 11:23:22 · answer #10 · answered by tay_jen1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋