Dentists....
 

*shudder*

I gotta go tomorrow, and damned if they dont freak me out. By the time i'm in the chair, my stomach will be in knots, muscles tense, finger clenched onto arm rests, & a light sweat happening!

The only thing going for tomorrow is its just a quote and hopefully he can tell me i have an abcess (i have a large swelling, noticable from both in my mouth and outside) and give me antibiotics. But he wont leave it at that i'm sure *sigh* Xrays, needles, pain, drooling ahhhhhhhhhh

Anyone else have the fear? How do you deal with it??

I don't love it but I can deal. I listen to mine jabber on and I imagine myself not in my body but watching from above.

I have a very simple solution. I just don't go to dentists. Every time I went to one when I was younger they pulled a tooth. Last thing I want is to go as an adult and have them yank a tooth. Though I probably should get my wisdoms taken out. They feel like they're coming in crooked.

I haven't been near one for 25 years. I think when I eventually do, I'll kill them from the shock of seeing my back teeth.

I had a wonderful abscess once that was big enough to stop me swallowing. In desperation, I rang the dental clinic who then told me they wouldn't do anything at all till the swelling went down, so there was no point in going. So I went to the GP who prescribed me antibiotics after I'd promised him that I was definitely, absolutely, positively going to the dentist as soon as I could.

Of course, once the swelling was gone, I threw that promise out the window.

I'm another with the dentist fear.

When I have no choice but to go, I remember that the only thing worse than going to dentist is not going to the dentist.

I'm with you OF. I'm only going because the pain has over-ridden the fear. But i dont like it, not one little bit!

I'm hoping he'll give me antibiotics and let me go *LOL* But the underlying problem will need addressing *sigh*. Him knowing my track record of not returning when i should is not good. He may decided to de-tooth me there and then *EEK*

I know he'll want to get at my remaining wisdom teeth, and i know i should let him, but damned if those fuckers dont make ya hurt after coming out, and they aren't giving me any trouble yet *L* Then there'll be the filling and other crap, i'll be watching the dollar signs tick over in his eyes!

Have fun.

I'm the odd one out here as I don't mind the dentist at all. I go twice a year for cleanings/checkups and I lay back with my eyes closed, half asleep. Even if it's more major (i.e. painful) work, I just lay back and try to trance out, kind of like Lil described, but not quite that focused.

OF is right on the money... it's worse not to go.

Hope it goes ok for you, Sharni!

i don't mind. we have a few in the family so it's something i grew up with.

a few dentists around here advertise that they'll give you happy making drugs before hand to ease the anxiety. if you're comfy with that, you should ask for some

Did the dentist thing, he really is a nice bloke *L* Cute too :D:D

Anyway. I got away with just an examine, antibiotics and quote for work that needs doing. Oh and a raised eyebrow at how long this tooth has been crook, and another raised eyebrow for the 2yr gap between visits *LOL* Though he was pleased at how his temporary filling had lasted *L*

So the verdict,

antibiotics for the infection/abcess

xray to find anything that may be hidden from view

2 weeks time (to give antibiotics time to work)
the tooth that started the whole having to visit, needs either a root canal or extraction. i'm going with extraction being as its $800 cheaper *L*

I'm NOT looking forward to that ^^^^

When pennies are spare
6 fillings
1 removal of temp filling and tooth crowned (dont think so!, he mentioned thousands cost, my hearing turned off, so this tooth will be extracted *L*)

After i walked out i checked his car park for his Lamborghini or similar i expected to be sitting there!!

Holy Moly...the quote is very nearly as scary as the visit itself!

Other than the price sounds like a good visit.

My dentist has always been good in believing "hurt a patient, lose a customer"...I had only one wisdom tooth, which got pulled at age 24; whatever drug combo he gave me for that, I wanna lifetime script for! I was just barely aware that he came in & yanked it out, & I was hearing the sound & slight pressure, but even that was a thoroughly groovy experience, from where I was at. They brought my wife in to help me to the car, I brushed her aside saying, "I don't need no help!" as everybody watched me bounce from wall to wall, feeling NO PAIN...

Of course, a few hours later I woke up with the pain they were saving for Judas, but I had a few more pills to fix that...

I have to go Tuesday..im scared shitless. I have already told the dentist i will be turning into a 5 yr old so he best treat me as if i am one. I don't want pain at all. Have tooth pulled. Wish me luck!

I spent a lot of time at the dentist this summer. You could bring an mp3 player and headphones. It helps.

good luck. i have same fear and thanks lilith i never thought of that idea