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Why do I still let this bother me???

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Posted 5/19/2011 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
I realized last week that I had broken the back off of my front, top, tooth and of course it sent me into a panic. Due to my anxiety being very high because of another issue, I put off making an appointment until today. I called and have an appt. tomorrow at 3pm...now I'm getting all upset over it. Last week I just told myself that right now it not the best time for me to go as my anxiety is so high, so I'll make an appt. next week and get it taken care of...was fine with that. Now since I've made the appt, I'm freaking out! Not a big shock, I guess.

I've been to the dentist a lot and had some very big procedures done. Two root canals, one that was so badly infected that I had to go back to the endodontist 7 times to get this bleach solution shot into the tooth once a week, then had it filled and sealed in two more separate appts. Two years ago I had all five wisdom teeth pulled (yes 5, just lucky I guess) and I did it while awake!!! I've gone in to have my teeth cleaned as often as I can (husband works 6 days a week and I don't drive, so it's not always easy to get in). Just had them cleaned last May, which is pretty good for me.

So WHY do I keep getting uptight about going??? The dentist and staff are wonderful, very understanding, gentle and kind. I guess I don't like the feeling of being trapped, and the enormous fear of the words "root canal" coming out of his mouth every time I'm there. It's a possibility that I'd have to have one, but not a definite, there are a lot of ways to deal with this, so why am I letting myself get so upset?? Grrr...I can handle so many situations so well now, but the dentist is THE one that throws me over the edge every time. I just get so frustrated with myself.

Thanks for letting me vent, and any support would be greatly appreciated!
Posted 5/19/2011 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
I just got seven teeth pulled awhile back and got bottom dentures. I hate going to the dentist. Hopefully wont have to go anymore unless I need denture work. I am very glad it is all over with. I always had bad teeth, and had a cyst removed from my mouth. But I was put under for that. I have had to have the root canal too. They are no fun.

Does your tooth have a cavity? Or did it just break off? My teeth were breaking in the end. Some of us just have to make a lot of dentist appointments. Some of us are very lucky and have really good teeth. I was not one of those people. So I know your fears. Just do it. Put your mind to it that you are going to go. Once you get yourself into that chair, it is on the way to being over with. It is that initial thought of going that I think gets to us. Once we get there, it is not that bad. And we are kind of stuck too. lol...

Try not to let the anxiety get to you. Breathe. Try to relax. Your appointment is coming up so you don't have to wait long. Which is good. I put it off for a long time and then they couldn't save my teeth. But I am better off this way.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 5/19/2011 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
J.B. you are so not alone on this one! I need to go in as well. I know that I have some 'issues' to take care of, but I keep putting it off and off...

Even people who don't have anxiety problems 'dread the D'! I would personally rather be seen by my old high-school crush without make-up, wearing my 'fat' sweats, and six weeks of root grow out, than go in.

Why God didn't just make us like sharks, I don't know...one falls out? No worries I've got 285 left! (although you, with the 5 wisdom teeth, didn't really work in your favor hugh?)

Anyway, I can't very well give you advice, as I am the biggest baby of all on this one. I can provide empathy, hopefully make you laugh a little, and send you hugs though.

I hope all goes well, and let us know...maybe you can inspire me to go!
S.C.
Posted 5/20/2011 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you both so much.

G.B. I am just like you, just don't have good teeth, even though I take really good care of them...oh the ritual I have, you'd think I'd be the poster child for good oral health, but sadly not. My husband and daughter were both blessed with good teeth, brush once a day, rarely floss and always get a "see you in six months" from the dentist. I think I've heard that once in my life!!! I know that once I get in the chair I'm ok, it's just so much work to keep calm for the whole time. Already decided that I'm taking an extra xanax around 2pm, so hopefully that will help. I'm definitely going, because the thought of having it over with and not having to worry about it anymore is pushing me to go. It's summer and I want to enjoy it, not spend my time worried over this tooth!!! Wow, sounded really brave there for a minute...need to hang onto that!

S.C. it worked, you did make me laugh, a picture of myself as you described popped into my head...only problem is, my high school crush is now my husband and unfortunately he's seen me just like that!!! Poor man! It does help so much to know I'm not alone with this fear! I'm just trying to relax tonight, and keep in mind that it could be a quick fix and not a root canal. I only need to get through the appt. tomorrow, so I'll just focus on that. Like my wonderful Dad used to say, "don't borrow trouble", and I'm trying not too.

Thanks again!
Posted 5/20/2011 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Junebug05

Sometimes people put off going to the dentist because of their fear. That would be me !! My dentist is young however he belongs to the old school; old-school dentists see “lecturing” and negative remarks as a good way of frightening people into compliance. This just makes me feel put down and stupid as I leave his office with an estimate for $3,000.00 for work I need done. I don't have dental insurance and this estimate blows me away.

Well, Junebug, back a few years ago I fractured a moler on carmel corn at Christmas time. I was expecting to be told I needed a crown. No deal, I had fractured the tooth all the way down and I needed to go to the oral surgeon. Would you believe I left the office and went to the parking lot at Target and cried..................my tooth was terminal. Right before Christmas, Merry Christmas to me and I know longer eat carmel corn. I mourned my tooth.

I would rather do cart wheels in the sand then go to the dentist but knowing you are going to follow through with the dentist gives me inspiration.

You are one awesome person.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt
Posted 5/20/2011 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
I did it!!! Spent the whole morning an absolute wreck, panic through the roof. Took a xanax at 2pm, that only helped a little. The dentist office called at 2:30 pm and said they were running ahead of schedule and if I wanted to come in now I could, so we raced out of here and got in at 2:35. Everything took about 1 1/2 hours, but got my teeth cleaned and x-rayed too. The actual procedure to fix the tooth took the least amount of time, they just used a compound to build it back up, let it set and then polished it down. I do have one cavity, in a tooth that has a huge filling, so have to set up a 45min appt at some point, but he said it was no rush and too make the appt when I was ready. The relief is AMAZING! It's funny how I think, because it's never as bad when I get there as I imagine it will be. Husband took me out for a nice dinner of prime rib because he was so proud of me...what a sweetheart! Now I'm exhausted and can hardly wait for bedtime, will definitely sleep well tonight!!!

Thank you all for your kind words and support, it really made a huge different!
Posted 5/20/2011 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, Well done! I am so glad that you got in early, it went well, and that you got a nice dinner to boot!

You are a shining example to the rest of us! Thanks for the update and when you get the other cavity filled, let us know, and we'll be here for you again. Although it sounds like you will handle it just fine;)

Congratulations and have a great, worry-free weekend!
S.C.
Posted 5/21/2011 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Junebug05,

WoW, i can relate to what your saying. A few years back i was going to the dentist weekly to get work fixed. As bad as my anxiety is now I can't imagine going. I have to go to physical therapy 2x a week, its just a few minutes away from my house...however, i get so worked up about going for some reason. I seem to do this a lot, which just makes the anxiety all the more difficult to deal with.

We are all here if you need us. My email address is listed if you ever want to email.
Your Healingwell Friend,
Serenitee
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Loop ileostomy May 10, 2011...Bipolar 2 and Borderline...Major Depression issues + a High Amount of Anxiety/panic-attacks...Too Many Surgeries to mention...
Posted 5/21/2011 2:15 PM (GMT 0)
Junebug,

WTG !!  Kudos to you and to your hubby for taking you out to dinner.  It is always a weight off my shoulders too when I walk out the door of the dentists. 

Gentle Hugs to you !

Kitt

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