Scared of the dentist HELP!!?

I am absolutly petrified of going to the dentist! BUT i know i need to go as my back teeth are going! But the thought of even walking through the door to go into the dentist scares me! I hate the noises that comes from there i hate everything about the dentist! I have 4 children which i push to go to the dentist only cos i dont want them being like me!! I am also scared of how the dentist is going to react when they see my back teeth. As i am ashamed of them. How do i get over this without getting myself so worked up. I feel like crying now just thinking about it!!!

Scared of the dentist HELP!!?
Do not worry about what the dentist thinks! He/She understands your fears and won't judge you for the shape of your teeth. They are there to help you. Being a mother of four has probably kept you busy, and unless your rich or have super dental insurance getting dental work done for some is a luxury.


As for your fears, lots of people have them and it keeps many from going to the dentist. Unfortunately for many they were already in pain. Tell the person you make the appt with that you are scared, make sure the dentist and his helper know and they will help you through it.


Your not alone!!! I worked in a dental office for over 20 years and met many people men and women that were terrified of the dentist.


You can also try nitrous (laughing gas) which really helps with dental anxiety, or ask for the dentist or your Doctor for a valium or xanax type drug to take before the appointment (you will need a driver), but i've seen known quite a few people to do quite well with one or both.


If your dentist and staff are not caring about your fears try another one.


I also want to give you a thumbs up for making sure that your children see the dentist and you are not instilling your fears in them. Hard to do as a mom, but good for you!


Call and make an appointment!
Reply:I have a dentist phobia as well, I had a few very bad experiences. There are dentists out there that will put you out before they do any work on you though. I havent worked on locating one yet because my wisdom teeth haven't given me too much trouble yet. I would call your local dentists offices, explain your problem (I'm sure they've heard it before) and ask what they can do to make you feel more comfortable.
Reply:they see everything so don't worry about that i have friends who have parents with no teeth anymore and my dads teeth are pretty bad and so are my aunts thanks to medication ...... maybe call around and find a dentist that has headphones and like a TV that you can concentrate on........ and at an initial appointment it should just be a teeth cleaning and x-rays and seeing what will happen at your next appointment to fix your teeth......but i recommend getting in there before your teeth get to bad and then your appointments are worse than they have to be..... also teeth problems have been linked to major medical conditions so get in there.... you also don't wanna end up loosing all of your teeth and having dentures any time soon since it sounds like your still not an old woman
Reply:Today's dentistry (as you probably know) is relatively painless. The noises, smells, sights you see are part of modern medical dentistry. Although it is easier said than done, DON'T BE SCARED. Also, in relation to the embarrassment of your teeth, DON'T BE EMBARRASSED. Dentists/Hygienists have seen it all. I'm sure the dentist you choose will have seen much worse cases of indifferent dental health. Also, you may want to choose a different dentist than the one that your children/family go to, just so that you are dealing with a completely new dentist. I would also highly suggest calling a dentist and tell them how you feel (fear/embarrassment). I'm sure they will be able to relax you (prior to your visit) and make your visit more comfortable, relaxing, and painless in all ways. But also think about the benefits of going: you will have healthier teeth Good Luck and try to take it easy!
Reply:I use to have a phobia about going to the dentist to.I recently got a new dentist and he is great.He tells me what he is going to do before he does it.So my answer to help you out would be find a dentist that you like.I really think that helps.It did for me.I wouldn't trade my dentist for the world
Reply:I know what you mean. Here is a suggestion. Take baby steps. First, ask your friends who have good teeth who they use.





Then talk to the receptionist or the assistant over the phone or in person to get a feel for the people-climate of the office. If you like it, make an appointment to visit with the dentist, without getting any treatments. Talk about your fears. You will know by just talking with them whether they are compassionate enough for you.





By the way, many dentists use water drills these days. So it's not a painful as in the old days.
Reply:dont worry!! as soon as you walk though the door take a deep breath, then just relax in the chair they might just give you some paracetamol to get the pain away just dont worry good luck!
Reply:don't worry at all Hun :) my teeth were absolutely disgusting ,they were like a jigsaw, i had overlapping teeth all along the bottom, my two eye teeth were at the top of my gums kinda like freaky vampires and the next teeth along were three inches back from the rest of my teeth and i got so upset about them that i wouldn't smile at all nd talked like a ventriloquist Nd whenever a went to the dentist i felt disgusting but just remember that whatever Ur teeth luk like they Will have seen so much worse, its their job, nd fillings fall out all the time so thts just another day at the office for them, but wen i finally got my teeth sorted out, teeth out, brace yadadadad, it Neva felt so gud to just smile and it was total relief, I'm sure once ur there nd ur dentist is all professional nd doesn't even react you'll get over it just like that, nd put it this way if ur ashamed of ur dentist seeing ur back teeth just compare them to a huge abscess growth and I'm sure you'll realize they aren't too bad, a trip or two nd you'll be sorted, have fun you can do it :)
Reply:I really do feel for you, I'm the worlds biggest and most devout coward when it comes to the dentist. We all have stories to tell about school dentists that trained in Belsen! Fear of needles, fear of sitting in the waiting room, listening to the drill,(reading the 6 year old magazines),the smell. In fact the whole total package is a nightmare. Now here is the trick,FEEL THE FEAR AND GO FOR IT ANYWAY!!!! First of all make an appointment just to speak to your chosen dentist, (go on recommendations from friends and the braver souls amongst us.)If he is a good dentist he will understand totaly and reasure you every step of the way. Let him just look at your teeth and get him to explain exactly what his course of action is. My dentist gave me a spray to deaden the gum before he even put the needle in, you can ask for that. I don't love needles but I hate the sound of the drill much more.Another tip is to talk about your fears to anyone that will listen, the more you talk about it the more trivial it becomes.


Try to get a family member to come with you on the first visit to hold your hand.


On my last visit to the dentist there was building work going on in the next room and someone was using a big power drill on the wall right next to where i was sitting, so I said to the dentist" I feel sorry for that patient,what's he having done, a head transplant"


There is no shame in feeling afraid of the dentist, 98% of the pópulation are afraid and the other 2% are liars.


One last little trick I employ is whilst I am in the chair I immagine my self walking down the road after it is all over and feeling very proud of myself for being so brave.


So the best of luck from a fellow coward and GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!