I am really scared of the dentist?

Question

i have to have a filling 2moz,
and the last 3 times i went to the dentist i have had a panic attack and could not go though with it.
but the last time i went i did manage to get though it but i was shakying and feeling very sick all the way though.

I know this might seem silly to some of you, but i just get very scared, can you give me any tips or help so i can overcome this?

Answer 1

Not silly at all !!!!! To be honest, most of the people I have in my practice have come with panic to dentists. Now, there are many important things to overcome this; first of all u need to go to a dentist who understands you, and can be patient treating you; then you need to TRUST that doctor, to feel free to tell him / her, stop for a while please, or whatever u may need, because when that happens, you feel more secure.

Some tips I use with my patients to overcome fear.
1. We talk a lot so we can get along great, and my patients know they are totally free to ask or say whatever they want.

2. If ur panic is way too much, maybe you can think of prescription meds, to relax .

3. Ask the doctor for your favorite music, something that makes u happy, and comfortable. Or you could bring your i pod, or diskman!

4. If you find any smell soothing, tell the doctor.

Music and aromatherapy are great for relaxation purposes

5. Reward yourself after an appointment if you did well , if you like to do or eat something, plan it after the visit to the dentist, so u can think of it while you are there. I tell my patients all the time, that evrybody needs to be pampered,including adults

And of course, try to change your mind, even if you had bad experiences, try to move on, trust you doctor, be COMPLETELY honest about how you feel, so you BOTH can overcome your problem...

Good luck !!!!

Answer 2

Can you pin down where your feelings are coming from i.e. have you had a horrible experience or seen a horror movie about the dentist. The only way tha you will ever be able to get through these appointments is if you treat the underlying problem.
For the symptoms try focusing your thoughts and energies on a plesent happy experience and keep this constant in your head, hear what is going on, smell any of the smells that were there during this nice experience and listen to what is happening. Completly ingros yourself in this fantasy to get you through. If you do slip out try focusing back to it and if a panic attach does occur have a paper bag ready as this will aid in the levels of gases.
Also take someone along with you for support and ask them to talk to you to keep your mind off it and comfort you.
But look into the past and im sure you will discover the reason for your fobia.
Good luck

Answer 3

i used to be a dental nurse, i comprehend that's a annoying expreience, basically confirm the dentist and the nurse the two comprehend that youre scared, and make sure you sense mushy with those human beings. the only area which will harm is the anaesthetic, and which will basically be a tiny nip. confirm the dentist tests the section all over the teeth via pricking his probe into your gums. If he can stick the pointed end amazing into your gum and you do no longer sense it, you wont sense a difficulty on the teeth. you will sense stress on the teeth, e.g for the time of a filling, you will sense the drill, yet as your nerve is punctiliously numb, there will be no discomfort. attempt to no longer confuse the stress with discomfort. additionally, you may provide up the dentist at any time, in case you do no longer sense mushy, basically pop your hand up, they're going to provide up for you. As I mentioned i comprehend it is annoying, yet afterwards you would be surprised at how little you felt. it may additionally be well worth it, you dont p.c. to finally finally end up with an entire set of wallies! sturdy success!

Answer 4

It's a legitimate fear - I know firsthand. I had several terrible dental experiences and so I avoided the dentist for over 10 years. By the time I did go back I needed extensive dental work. I explained my fears to the dentist who helped to ease my fears by explaning what he was doing and that dentistry has become less invasive and less painful recently. I sometimes take a Tylenol before I go to lessen the pain from the novacaine injection. I also close my eyes during the whole procedure and repeat a word or phrase to myself to take my mind off what's happening. Some dentists will let you bring an MP3 player or portable CD player with you so you can listen to music.

Answer 5

Hey -thats cool- us dentists are really scary,and scary patients are scarier still;one reason why we have one of the highest rates of suicide, depression and alcoholism is dealing with stressed out people.-No criticism to you, but if you make it a priority to consider ur dentist and set urself goal to give him an easy ride of it, you will have;
1/ unfocussed on yourself(too much self obsession is bad for us)
2/helped him do a better job on you
3/ as a result, got into a 'win-win' situation- good all round!

Answer 6

This feeling is not silly at all many people feel anxiety when they go to the dentist. Tell your dentist how you feel, they can help you and they want to help you feel more comfortable. It is easier for them to work on your teeth when you are calm.

Answer 7

This is a fairly common phobia. Inform your dental office. They have equipment for people to make them relaxed, such as "Nitrous Oxide", otherwise known as "laughing gas". They also have anesthetic, a numbing agent. If you're really bad, they'll just put you to sleep. They appreciate people with phobias informing of them about this BEFORE sitting in the chair, it makes everyone's life easier.

Answer 8

My teeth are pretty bad and I spend quite a bit of time in the dentists chair. Whenever I see him about to inject or put something in my mouth I close my eyes and squeeze my trouser leg! Also please explain to your dentist that you are nervous, they are very understanding and will talk you through whats happening. Best of luck x

Answer 9

As a dentist myself i often tell patients to relax and to try not to listen to the sound of the drill and to breath throw you noise to stop the sickly feeling. however you can always ask the practitioner to stop work when you raise you hand for a short period of time.

Answer 10

I totally understand. I was fine until I had a terrible root canal. Maybe your dentist can give you a valium to take before the procedure to take the edge off. I tried this once and it helped me.