To the dentist AGAIN

radarsmom · Post by **radarsmom** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 1:54 pm

Hi
Last year after avoiding it for many years I finally got up the nerve to go to the dentist. I was ashamed of the state of my teeth and I was also fighting panic and agoraphobia but I DID IT!!

I have another appointment tomorrow and I was just noticing how I have NOT been dwelling on it for days ahead of time. I have NOT been scared to go. I am so glad that this time I have hardly thought about it at all except to keep it in mind so that I didn't miss the appointment.

I just wanted to write and let others who have this type of fear that there is hope. I was so scared but all of the people at the office were so kind and helpful. They let me decide what I was ready to tolerate and they didn't shame me for the condition of my teeth (which I was afraid they would).

I am not exactly excited about going and I never will be but I am way better off now. I don't have this hanging over my head anymore. I can do it!! If this is one of your fears please try to go. YOu will be so glad that you did.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 2:29 pm

Hi! I have such a fear of the dentist its unbelievable! I need some major things done to my teeth like one needs pulled its awful! I keep putting it off and have cancelled so many dentist appt that my dentist wont even see me now! I saved up the money twice to have those lumineers put on my teeth never done it yet its so sad because I'm in profession where I think my teeth are important! Go figure this disease is crazy thanks for your story and giving me hope! Hugs and good luck at the dentist you give me hope!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:20 am

DENTISTS are 1 of my greatest fears - always have been. I've had some major work done thru the yrs. When anxiety disorder triggered - I've spent the following 3 yrs - recovering: facing my past & then myself. Dentists were the last thing on my mind. Not so much AVOIDING IT - no. I honestly was caught up in other things. Well, fortunately, I have recovered fr anxiety disorder. Recently - maybe 1 1/2 mths ago - MY GOD VOICE/INNER VOICE spoke to me, lol "you know Lenore, you're recovered now - you can go back to the dentist". It was then I realized I hadn't been. I made an appt b/4 I could change my mind or lose my BRAVADO, lol. I went back for initital appt = updated him on my absence + examined my mouth + took several diff kind of xrays + let me know what had to be done - 3 cavities - NO BIG DEAL. I was a little little anxious going in there - BUT I WAS CALM OVERALL - NO KIDDING - I used a little pos self talk & you know what I told him? "sir, you do what you have to do - I trust you" - go figure, lol. I had 2 follow ups to that initial appt. I even got 3 needles - yep, I didn't squirm, cry, hollar, shake - NADA.

Asides fr me now being more in control of my thoughts & emotions, I think I WAS DARN HAPPY TO BE GETTING BACK INTO LIFE AGAIN - yes, that includes the MUNDANE THINGS such as dentist appts, etc. No, I won't ever celebrate dentists - NOT

I deem it a necessary evil - joking & being silly y'all. It is a necessary part of life. I celebrate the difference in ME - before & after. I will tell you, even b/4 anxiety disorder triggered, I was petrified of dentists & the fact that I needed some major work done only exagerated that. The nurse would hold my hand - LORD HAVE MERCY - it was tough. Now, I held my own hand. Actually, as he worked & did what he needed to do - I laid there - w/ legs straight & phalms clasped & crossed on my chest. THAT IS WHAT I CELEBRATE.

HOORAY FOR US - TAKING BACK CONTROL - REALIZING WE HAD IT IN US ALL ALONG!

Lenore

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:01 pm

Heres the update,

I went to the dentist today and I was fine till I climbed in the chair then my heart started to pound but I was handling it. Then the assistant said that they wanted to pull one and fill one today and that is when I got more nervous. I knew that I had one that needed to be pulled but I thought that I was only getting a filling done today so that was kind of shocking.....okay I thought I can do this, I can do this I...can....maybe ...do this... To say the least I was not at all prepared so my hands started to shake and my heart was already pounding and I shared with my dentist. She said it would not be a long ordeal that the filling was small and that the one she was pulling should come out easily. So, I said ok lets try it. I also told her that I felt like running out of there but I said I am going to try it anyway. She started working and I sat there and focused on breathing and in a very short time she said "almost done and see there you didn't even run" she said "You don't give yourself enough credit" and I thought she is right. She finished up and I DID IT. YIPPEE. I struggled but I DID IT.

I hope that I am not frightening anyone by writing this but rather I want to be of help to show that it can be done. Talk to your dentist, tell them you are scared. They are trained to help you. My dentist said that a great deal of her dental training was focused on helping her patients to deal with anxiety and fear.

If I can do it you can do it. I am one of the biggest chickens there is. We can all overcome.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:04 pm

PS Thanks Lenore and Nursekr for your replies.

Lenore WOW for you!! I look forward to the day that I can be that calm the whole time.

Nursekr Getting a tooth pulled is a really quick process. I didn't feel any pain and it went fast which helped me.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 27, 2008 1:17 pm

PSS It is the next day after going to the dentist and I just wanted to let you know that I had a very minor amount of soreness once the numbness wore off yesterday and today the only time it was even tender feeling was when my husband kissed me a little roughly on the side that the tooth was pulled on.

I will be praying that anyone who has been putting this off will be able to go to the dentist with NO FEAR.