Dental phobia

[Seryn]

I'm so fed up after finally going through my bloods (terrible needle phobia) and all being nothing serious I thought I could relax and enjoy some normality. Nope. One of my upper back teeth have become super sensitive. I'm phobic of needles in general but at least you can use numbing ointment before hand, have the needle and it's done. Dentist. No, just absolutely no. Nobody is putting a needle into my gum and then drilling right in my face for 10mins with all those sounds. I can't catch a break this year. I get a week of normality then it's always something else. Last time I went to the dentist and explained my needle fear she said would I like a sedative. When I asked how it's done she said via a injection! I don't think she's understanding my phobia!!! No I absolutely do not want an extra needle are you mad! I can't anyway as I have to drive myself. I'm working myself up constantly imagining this process and back to feeling like utter rubbish and petrified of needles. Is there a numbing gel or something I can buy before having the injection? I think I'll cope with the sounds of I have my headphones in full blast. It's the sensation that immediately goes through me when I feel the pain of a needle that makes me instantly faint and throw up then have a huge panic attack. If I can stop the pain of a needle I think I could manage it.

Also any tips about having to sit through someone else having dental work. My 14year old son needs a tooth out for his braces next month and the thought of being in the room with him needing a needles then a tooth extraction. I just can't do it without fainting. Last time I was there waiting in the waiting room I could hear someone having treatment and the drill. I had to go outside and managed to get out before I threw up. Honestly it's such a bad phobia.

 

[shay1988]

I wouldn't put off your teeth. I Kno it is hard when we have phobias. But teeth are so important and only get worse if left alone. Trust me I'm only 36 and have dentures already. After having my twins my teeth started hurting and then breaking. I had a horrible experience having all them Yanked
out. U don't want that. Better to just get a filling then having one yanked. A filling doesn't hurt at all and most time no numbing required! Hope u get this pain fixed.

 

[Seryn]

I wouldn't put off your teeth. I Kno it is hard when we have phobias. But teeth are so important and only get worse if left alone. Trust me I'm only 36 and have dentures already. After having my twins my teeth started hurting and then breaking. I had a horrible experience having all them Yanked
out. U don't want that. Better to just get a filling then having one yanked. A filling doesn't hurt at all and most time no numbing required! Hope u get this pain fixed.

After having my twins I started having problems too! Mainly wisdom teeth pushing others so they've grown through sideways and partially erupted. It's moved all my bottom teeth which I hate. I'm 39 and touch wood only have one bad tooth, that I need taken out because it's cracked but I won't go to have the work done. The tooth is dead. But now I'm having problems with the other one on the other side. Now I'm thinking my tooth problem might be in-between the tooth as my gum looks swollen and I have no pain eating. I've flossed and used special gum repair mouthwash and will give it a week or I'll have to be brave. I need a scale and polish too but I even find that really painful. Even my son has had a filling and said it didn't hurt. It's the needle that scares me and the sound of the drill makes me faint.

 

[Sweet T]

Lots of people fear dentists. They can give you gas to help calm you. Don’t just not go. Call them to see how they can help you.

 

[Phillies Phan]

My wife has severe dental phobia. I mean, a teeth cleaning is a nightmare for her. She recently had an infected tooth and allowed it to go until it got to be a nasty abscess. But, at least here in North America some dentists offer nitrous oxide, aka laughing gas. No needles. Do they offer that in the UK?

 

[E.B]

Dental examination goes along with my "fear" of going to the doctor

 

[Seryn]

My wife has severe dental phobia. I mean, a teeth cleaning is a nightmare for her. She recently had an infected tooth and allowed it to go until it got to be a nasty abscess. But, at least here in North America some dentists offer nitrous oxide, aka laughing gas. No needles. Do they offer that in the UK?

I'm not sure I've never been offered it only a sedative via an injection which absolutely no way! The only problem is I'd have to drive and I'm not sure if they'd let me? I'm always a bit nervous about gas as I've had 3 kids and that stuff made absolutely zero difference to pain in labour ha! I've only been to the dentist a handful of times in 20years. When I do eventually get my one bad tooth taken out there's no way I'll be able to do it awake.

Dental examination goes along with my "fear" of going to the doctor

I understand totally. I'm happy to go to the Dr or dentist but absolutely freak out at anything that involves a needle, bad news or loud sounding equipment going anywhere near my mouth.

 

[E.B]

I'm not sure I've never been offered it only a sedative via an injection which absolutely no way! The only problem is I'd have to drive and I'm not sure if they'd let me? I'm always a bit nervous about gas as I've had 3 kids and that stuff made absolutely zero difference to pain in labour ha! I've only been to the dentist a handful of times in 20years. When I do eventually get my one bad tooth taken out there's no way I'll be able to do it awake.

I understand totally. I'm happy to go to the Dr or dentist but absolutely freak out at anything that involves a needle, bad news or loud sounding equipment going anywhere near my mouth.

I understand. Many of us have phobias that we deal with. You will persevere.

 

[Dmarie]

I'm in Canada and my dentist always puts some kind of numbing gel on the gums before giving the needle, maybe you can ask if they have something like that?
How about using headphones to listen to music or a you tube video ect during the drilling stage?

 

[Chrissyjo]

I have a phobia of the dentist. For me thought I can’t stand being trapped in the chair with people so close to my face. I don’t care about drills, needles etc
I would ask for a numbing gel as it works. It also depends on the dentist, some are nicer than others. One clinic near my banned me because I have anxiety which made me feel like ****. I found a really good one a far way from my house and they are so nice and patient. I had to have multiple filings and I ended up having sleep dentistry to get them all done on the same day. It cost a bit I had to get finance. I had to see them a few times after as I had a problem tooth. Because they were so patient with me I didn’t even get nervous before the visit.
before that I would go into panic mode when I knew I had to see one.
have you googled dentists near you to find an understanding one? They are out there.
I’ve been offered the gas or Valium but I don’t know how it will affect me so I’ve said no.
Can you get a lift/taxi home from the dentist if you need ?

 

[MARCC]

I told my former dentist that I would rather have a colonoscopy then go to see her and she just grimaced.

 

[blueberries]

I used to be extremely dental phobic (but for different reasons than yours), it's slowly gotten better over the years. The problem with teeth decay and other dental issues is that they usually don't get better on their own and it's best to get the problem taken care of while it's small. As others have said dental gel is great. My dentist uses it and I don't even feel the Novocain needle, not at all. He puts the gel on via a cotton swab and lets it sit for about 5 minutes before injecting the Novacain. It feels weird but it's great stuff.

Valium or xanax or some other mild sedative is very helpful. You may need a double dose though and in that case you would probably need someone to drive you because you'll feel quite loppy.

I also want to tell you that in the rare event you do need a tooth extracted, that procedure is usually very easy (except for wisdom teeth which are a little more tricky). I've had a couple pulled recently and it took less than 10 minutes and was much easier than a filling. You do feel some pressure and tugging (I'm not sure what your tolerance is for that) but there is no drilling.

There's a website, dentalfearcentral dot org which you may find helpful. And there are real dentists there that can answer your questions.

 

[windfondquist]

It sounds like you're really struggling with your needle phobia, and I understand how overwhelming that can be. For your dental procedure, you might want to ask your dentist if they can use topical numbing gel before any injections. Products like Orajel or Anbesol can numb the gum area to some extent, although they won’t completely replace the need for an injection. You could also ask about oral sedation as an alternative to an injection, as it doesn’t involve needles. While you're at it, consider asking about Dental Sealants for Kids for your son, as they can help prevent future cavities and reduce the need for invasive treatments. As for your son, if being in the room is too difficult, maybe you could wait in a different area or step outside during his treatment. It’s important to communicate your fears clearly with the dentist to find a solution that works for you.

 

[Phillies Phan]

It sounds like you're really struggling with your needle phobia, and I understand how overwhelming that can be. For your dental procedure, you might want to ask your dentist if they can use topical numbing gel before any injections. Products like Orajel or Anbesol can numb the gum area to some extent, although they won’t completely replace the need for an injection. You could also ask about oral sedation as an alternative to an injection, as it doesn’t involve needles. While you're at it, consider asking about Dental Sealants for Kids for your son, as they can help prevent future cavities and reduce the need for invasive treatments. As for your son, if being in the room is too difficult, maybe you could wait in a different area or step outside during his treatment. It’s important to communicate your fears clearly with the dentist to find a solution that works for you.

Do you get your kicks by entering our posts into an AI bot and posting the responses here?

 

[Seryn]

I just clicked heir name and ignore so they don't ever show