Going back to the dentist after remembering CSA

[Emotional girl]

The last time I went to the dentist it was a major trigger for me and I started to remember all these repressed memories from my childhood and for the last 6 months I have really struggled with my mental health.
I am in need of a check up with my dentist but even the thought of it is causing me anxiety.
The dentist who I saw last time has left the practice and it is now a all female practice so there is no longer the trigger there. My psychologist has also written a letter to my dentist explaining my fear and yet I still feel anxious.
I think I need to go back sooner rather than later as I think the longer I leave it the worse it will get ,plus the fact I am constantly worried about my teeth and them falling out.
Has anyone else felt the same about going to the dentist and how did you deal with it ?

 

[TTC18]

I can't give good advice here - I dealt with it by not going. Have been to dentist 1x in the last 20 yrs.

 

[Changing4Best]

I do go and it is OK. Sometimes the fear of the future (an upcoming appt with dentist) is actually far worse than the actual experience, once you gather the courage to go.

 

[Friday]

I take a Valium before going to the dentist.

Directly ties into some of my trauma... and it really wouldn’t happen otherwise.

I don’t see one currently, but there are dentists who specialize in people ‘afraid of going to the dentist’. Some just average fears, sure... the few that I know socially say their client base are almost all adult victims of child abuse, oral rape, or severe medical trauma that involved intubation. And there is no way in hell theyre going to be helpless on their back with their mouths forced open, without anti anxiety meds or partial sedation (nitrous).

 

[Emotional girl]

Thank you all very much for your replies.I have always had a fear of the dentist( especially anything being put in my mouth) since I was little but I never knew why until now.
The last dentist touched my face a lot and it was a major trigger for me, I didn't like the fact that he was so close to me and over the top of me and just thinking about it gives me flashbacks and body memories.The only reason I saw him in the first place was because my usual dentist was on maternity leave but she is back now and it would be her who I would see.
I just feel the longer I leave it the worse the anxiety will get .I think maybe drugging(on prescription meds) myself up is going to be the only way to get through it.

 

[Abstract]

I was fine for many years but am not any more. I read up a bit and it seems some things are sometimes done to help people. Like doing the dental work sitting up. Happy gass or sedatives. Even full sedation. What I find important is for someone to stop immediately and let me sit up whenever I need to. I also hold the suction device and am in control of it myself. I play really loud classical music through earphones. I hold something grounding and wrap myself in a pasmina. For some reason taking my shoes off helps me. I have to feel OK with the person and them be understanding.

Good luck. You can do this.

 

[Emotional girl]

Thank you very much @Abstract for your support and advice.Yes feeling OK with the person is the most important aspect,if you don't feel that then the appointment is not going to work at all.

 

[Abstract]

You are very welcome. Sending you strength and support.

You mention it may be better for you to do it sooner rather than later? I found that for me. I needed repeated work done over the last 2 years and in retrospect it was probably the best thing that could have happened ( if could possibly say that) as am definitely more desensitized compared to where I was 2 years ago. I was very much at risk of never doing the dentist ever again ever. Like you I had one really bad go and that reinforced everything in my mind. I am now in a place where I can do my coping things and hope to get through it relatively well ish. Have developed some weird preparation rituals but... whatever. Get allergies and that adds to some of the triggered feeling if not managed properly so am a bit fanatical in certain respects in the runup.
Good luck good luck. It sounds like the situation will be entirely different to the last time for you.

 

[Emotional girl]

You have done amazingly well @Abstract and you should be proud of yourself.
If I don't go again I will probably end up with no teeth in my mouth as my oral health is not the best as it is.
Your kindness and support has really helped and meant alot to me so thank you once again.

 

[sunshineandmoonshine]

I cried the first two times I went back. The first time I didn't go through with anything at all, just leaning back helpless feeling in the chair with someone going in that I "had" to let go in to my mouth put me in near hysterics.

The second time I went early and told them I wanted to speak to the dentist beforehand. I told her very vaguely what my problem is and mentioned PTSD. She was compassionate and understanding. I begged my now-ex-hubs to come be with me too (and got a verbally abusive earful about how weak I am...hence the "ex"-ness of him now).

Granted, I haven't been back in two plus years since then cause I'm afraid all over again...

 

[Emotional girl]

Thank you @sunshineandmoonshine for your reply.
Yes it is that helpless lie back position.For me it also anyone touching me in anyway but especially my face.
I find the longer I leave things the more I start to overthink which leads to more negative thoughts and anxiety.