when I was 13 I had a really bad experience with my dentist, how can I conquer my fear?

Question

I am 29 and have not been to a dentist since I was 13 years old. Since that experience I have taken care of my teeth and am very regimental when it comes to my teeth. I had a cavity filled in when I was 13 and the dentist had to numb my mouth, he gave me a shot on the side before drilling and filling but when he began to drill I would say I could feel 80% of it. I was screaming and crying and my dad(who was in the waiting room) later told me I was being silly. I said that day that I would never go to a dentist again. I have no cavitites that I can see, my teeth are not yellow, I have no bad breath, but I know that filling will not last forever. I do have one tooth that is slightly crooked that I would like straightened. any suggestions on how to conquer this fear. and if later on I want some work done can I insist on being put under, even if the work is not major?

Answer 1

I am so sorry about your bad experience. Please share your fears with your new dentist or go to A DDS site such as" we cater to cowards". I do not think you are a coward - but many good dentists may give you Valium or Nitrous Oxide to calm your fears.
Please do not put this off. Many advances have been implemented since you were 13
All my best to you,RN in Ca. Things will be better !

Answer 2

Honey, you must have got what I call a horse doctor. I have a dentist that is so good at what he does you cannot even feel it when he gives you a shot. His theory is, "no one should ever feel pain when they go to a dentist." Start talking around to different people about their dentist and how good he is. There are many good dentists out there along with bad ones. Word of mouth through people you ask will get you to a good dentist. My dentist says the reason so my people end up with false teeth is because they were hurt by a dentist when they were young and let their teeth go to heck rather then go back to a dentist.

Answer 3

i totally feel for you i have dental phobia too, my dentist never numbed my teeth or gave me the shot she even did my root canal without any anesthezia at all! My parent's were never allowed to go inside with me and the dentist just screamed at me! I haven't been to dentist for more then 8 years till my tooth started to hurt really bad i still lived with the toothache for like 6 months that's how scared i was! I went for check up and the minute i sat at the chair all the memories came back and cryed like a baby and dentist didn't even touch me! I tryed out like three different dentist till i found the right one, it just felt right. He's the nicest dentist ever, i too wanted to be put under sleep but it wasn't necessary cuz my dentist knew how to work with dental phobia people! He also gave me pills to take before i went in to calm down! I don't need to take them anymore cuz i am not scared of dentist! If i can do it, you can do it too. Trust me i was scared of denstist for years and now i am fine! Find a good dentist and you are gonna be fine!

Answer 4

Talk to friends and ask if they have a dentist they like and trust. I had bad experiences with a dentist and didn't go to one for several years; a friend at work told me about her dentist, who was wonderful with cowards. Not only was he great, but so were his staff, from the front desk receptionists to the hygenists to the delivery men.

Once you find a dentist, ask to schedule a 'get to know you' appointment. Be honest and tell him/her about your experiences and why you're afraid. If they aren't empathetic or offer to work with you to overcome your fear, then try to find a different dentist that will make you feel safe.

It's better to find a dentist now while there are no serious problems with your mouth; if you're able to go through a couple check up appointments without any big work being done, it will probably help you feel safer.

I can now get through a cleaning and check up without panic attacks. A filling has me in tears, even though I know he won't get started until I am completely numb and then some. He doesn't get angry or impatient if I start to cry, but gives me tips on how to get past the scary parts. He also lets me listen to music or watch TV while he's working.

You can find some dentists who will offer sedation, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or even general anaesthesia for minor dental procedures. The cost is considerably higher, especially if you opt for general anaesthesia, because you also have to pay an anaesthetist to put you to sleep, intubate you and monitor you while you're asleep and nurses to stay with you while you're waking up; one sleep dentist here would cost $1000 for three fillings with anaesthetic charges as well as denistry charges.

You're also considered impaired for 48 hours post general anaesthetic, so you'd have to have someone to drive you around and stay with you for a day or two afterward if you're put completely to sleep. If you go with gas or sedation, you would need someone near by for the rest of the day, just to make sure you were all right, then the next day you'd be pretty much back to normal.

My dentist will do conscious sedation using drugs like Ativan; normal dose of Ativan is 0.5-2mg; he gives 7-8mg before starting the dental work. The patient is awake and can respond to instructions, but is so calmed by the medication they often have no memory of being in the office at all-some even sleep through the whole appointment.

You can also check with your state's dental association; many have referral programs.

You may want to obtain short-term counselling to help you past your fear; the counsellor may be able to work together with your dentist to help you work your way through the fears you have.

Good luck. You can do this.

Answer 5

not only has technology change drastically over a span of 16 years but so have customer care. first find someone that you fell comfortable with... if you not feeling the love (like a potential mate go else where). start out slow ..most dentist don't clean teeth dental hygienist do get that done first then work your way up...most dentist know people are scared tell him how scared you are believe it or not they may the same feelings so the can sympathize and work slowly with you.

Answer 6

It is called GAS.

I am ___ older then you. I can not stand having my face touched by doctors at all!

I to had bad experience when younger at the dentist and to was told I was just making it up. I love my dentist I have now! First cowboy (farmer) dentist I ever had lol! But I still have tears rolling down my face as soon as he puts something in my mouth.
The gas works real well! And goes away within minutes of it being turned off.

Good luck!!

Answer 7

lady I am 20 and I went through major dental surgery at age 14 and 16. I'm not afraid, toughen up. I don't have a real tooth because my canal split into 6 different ones and they have to cut my tooth off, replace it with a fake one and file the canals. My mother who is 58 had 8 implants and the bone in her jaw wasn't good enough so they took it from her hip. Implants are extremly painful. Be the strong woman you are and face your fears.

Answer 8

I'm dental phobic too! I have to take an anti anxiety med before I go and have laughing gas while I'm there. The only way I can do it! Good luck. If you find a miracle cure for this phobia, let me know!

Answer 9

i absolutely HATE dentists. The orthodontist is somehow fine for me though. Maybe talk to the orthodontist about straightening your tooth, and he can probably make sure the cavity is still ok and everthing

Answer 10

i feel sorry for you that dentist should have stopped immediatley... yes you can insist that you be put to sleep or you could just have happy gas that would relax you or you may want to try intravenous sedation that works really good i do them at my work every day and the patient does not remember anything at all..... good luck