At The Dentist

[Ice_Fire]

I had a dental appointment this morning and it was the first time I've ever been on my own, as Nan usually makes a double appointment for us to be seen together.

I made it through the appointment, but not without feeling horrendous. There was one moment when my dentist needed to hold my jaw and he sort of rested his hand on my cheek. Arrgh! I just froze, I couldn't breathe and I couldn't get 'N' out of my head, as he had restrained me in a similar way and used to kind of stroke my cheek, during and after he...:( Urgh. The thought of me makes my head spin and I want to be sick. The rubber/latex gloves don't exactly help matters either.

I must have been hyper-vigilant when I went in,as I immediately noticed and couldn't help pointing out the new chair, the slightly different layout and even the new light. The dentist remarked at how 'observant' I am...to be honest, I didn't even realise I had paid so much attention to how the room has looked in the past, never mind how it was today.

Thankfully my teeth and gums were given a clean bill of health and he said that my wisdom teeth are coming through without any problems, so I don't need to go back for 6 months. Dreading it already though.

Anybody else struggle with this and if so, what helps you to cope with it?

 

[amethist]

I am with you there as I struggle badly with going to the dentist Ice_fire and no PTSD.

I have an appointment for Monday morning which has taken me a year to make after being ill last year. I will sit and talk to her and explain what has been going on and why it has taken me so long to go back.

 

[Ice_Fire]

(((amethist))) I'm sorry to hear you struggle at the dentist too.

Good luck with your appointment. I'm glad you are planning to talk to her and explain your anxiety over it. I wish I could do that instead of just freezing up.

 

[amethist]

2 days later I have to take hubby and do it all over again explaining why he has not been for 3 years.

Double wammy for me next week.

Have you thought of writing it down and passing your dentist the note when you go next time. It will help you get through each app if he knows something in advance.

 

[Ice_Fire]

Oh dear, that is really tough. Good on both of you though for making the appointments and planning to go. That's good to hear, even if it will be really hard.

I think I should probably find a way of communicating to him about feeling anxious etc, but I'm not very good at it! I don't know how much info to give, or if it would make the whole situation more uncomfortable.

 

[amethist]

Just tell him you have severe anxiety problems and some things he does while part of what he has to do, make you tense. So could he allow you a little more time so you are able to allow him to do what he has to.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

(((Rose))) I am glad it is all over for you now. You did well for what you were dealing with. Go and celebrate it being over.

 

[KP the nut]

Last year I had a lot of work done on my teeth, including a sinus lift, 2 implants and 1 crown. My dentist recommended an implant specialist, he was an angel. So caring and kind and as gentle as it was possible to be.

My dentist knows dentists aren't my favourite thing and had briefed the specialist for me.

The work was tough on me. I spent my time sat completely frozen in the chair like a deer caught in headlights. I allowed myself something special after each treatment as a reward.

To help me I would sniff lemon oil and hold a crystal both which helped me to stay grounded. I also did breathing and grounding prior to going in.

Dentists in my book are a necessary evil.

 

[Ice_Fire]

Wow KP. I feel humbled by the work you had to have done. :oops:

Yes, they are a necessary evil and I would prefer the anxiety to false teeth! :p

 

[KP the nut]

I would prefer the anxiety to false teeth!

Me as well. It does help a lot that I have really good dentists.

 

[Hashi]

Dentists are used to nervous patients. I think you could probably say you're anxious without giving any reason why - dental anxiety would be assumed. My dentist has assumed this with me.

In my case, I have to take valium (prescribed by the dentist) or I just wouldn't be able to go. I never take more than 5mg and try to take less, so I'm still nervous but I can cope with it.

 

[KP the nut]

I was assessed by an independent dentist. On his questionnaire, it actually asked if you were a nervous patient.