Going to the dentist and ...

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   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   ... I'm terrifed. I'm saving the full throttle performance for when I get there in 4 hours 45 minutes. It may including begging/pleading/ducking/diving/my arrest.
   
   Please feel free to leave useless advice. I've tried useful advice with no success.
   
   Always fine with such things, until a very botched wisdom tooth extraction. I'm supposing everything would have been fine - were I asleep at the time.
   
   Thankyou in advance and

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      alternate poetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah - it is going to be eye-poppingly painful and you are going to be so terrified that you will piss yourself when that damn drill starts whizzing !  Then when it is over you will think "what was that all about" - until the next time

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      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Maybe.....just focus on the ICE CREAM that you'll deserve after your visit.   Everyone deserves, and gets, I hope, ice cream afterwards!

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      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Wait....
      
      You weren't asleep at the time????!?
      
      That's just so wrong!   I had all my  wisdom teeth taken out at the same time.  Right before I fell totally asleep, I could feel the pressure of the drill or whatever it was;  then I thankfully felt nothing after that.  But for a week afterward it sure did hurt!   I definitely couldn't have made it if I hadn't been put under anesthetic.   Please tell me you didn't feel the whole process??

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         frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Yup. Awake. Think it was about 40 minutes. I did have anaesthetic but try telling a dentist that it doesn't work with an infection.
         
         It had a hook root too. He didn't extract so much as dig/cut it out. I'm not sure exactly, I couldn't see. After 15 minutes I was in a mess. Simple fact is it shouldn't have been done either whilst I was awake or until an anaesthetic would have worked. Probably the former, due to the root and position.
         
         The effort made me look like I'd been chinned by a boxer afterwards. It wasn't something I bargained for when I went in. But for my partner being with me I may well have lost the will to stay seated.

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            Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Did you hit the dentist afterward?
            I don't usually condone violence, but in that case I probably would've hit him myself!

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               frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               
               
               No lol I didn't. I was too upset. You know - we're talking completely heartbroken. And my partner was with me. There was nothing to be done. Before we realised what was going to happen, it was too late and I just had to sit through it. And I wasn't brave either. I cried real hard

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                  Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                  I hope things go good for ya today.
                  Remember the ice cream!  Even if your lips and jaws are numb, the taste buds in the back of the tongue will still love the ice cream, I'm tellin' ya!

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                     timorousposted 14 years agoin reply to this

                     Just don't let the ice cream make its' way into the newest dental work

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         dentistsfarehamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         yes, you soppuse to just feel the pull and push. They normally inject you to num the place where they going to drill.

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      Ben Evansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Keep your eyes closed and dont look at the needle.  I cant get beyond the needle.  Once your mouth is numb, the rest is a peice of cake.

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   timorousposted 14 years ago

   Stop thinking the worst. The past is not necessarily bound to be repeated.  Sounds like you should get a new dentist.  Ask friends about their experiences, or recommendations.
   
   Or show up at the dentist office wearing one of those big old underwater diver's helmets.
   
   Good luck FD.
   BTW...let us know how it went

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   CMHypnoposted 14 years ago

   Try some hypnotherapy? Hypnotherapy can calm you down before the visit and you can self hypnotise yourself while you are in the dentist's chair to feel no pain or panic.
   
   But I really sympathise with you frogdropping, as I loathe going to the dentist as it terrifies me!

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   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   Loving it guys - keep 'em coming. Go on ... be really horrible! Actually making me smile. Temporarily of course.
   
   Why the hell do dentists rattle so many people? I've had operations, incidents and accidents that'd make your hair curl - none of which bother me now.
   
   Anyone a dentist? Can someone tell me ... ´why?´

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      TheGlassSpiderposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Hey froggy! I'm happy to hear that you'll only have to have a filling. I'm currently living with an impacted, broken wisdom tooth that I cannot afford to have removed because its roots are twisted like a claw and the surgery will cost about a thousand dollars that I don't have. It's a pain, literally.
      
      Anyway, I think the reason the dentist inspires fear is that the mouth is one of the three intimate orifices - there's nothing more violating (even if you're prepared for it) than having some...professional stranger probe around in one's mouth, anus, or vagina (or urethra, if you're a guy). Sorry to be crude...that's just why I think it gives people the creeps....other than bad experiences. I wish you the best of luck!!

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         frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         Ohhhh you poor poor bugger Pretty much that's what my problem was. Or rather - the dentist that removed it didn't realise the mess the root had gotten into. Found out only after he started extracting it.
         
         But - I do advise you to have this done whilst sleeping. I can't beging to tell you how horrifying it is to be awake. Mine cost (all told) about €280, maybe more or less, I can't quite remember. I also had a filling, a top up filling, a tooth repaired and a polish.
         
         Luckily, now I'm in the UK, I have an exemption certificate and don't have to pay. So whatever does need doing will be free. I so wish you could go into hospital and have it removed. My fingers are crossed for you.

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            megs78posted 14 years agoin reply to this

            here's a quick trick frogdropping!  take a gravol or two a half hour before your dentist visit.  you will feel more relaxed and less anxious.  i have real dentist fear myself for good reasons and have to talk myself down everytime from bolting or vomitting.  gravol has helped in the past.

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   habeeposted 14 years ago

   Smoke some pre-meds before going to calm down!

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   darksideposted 14 years ago

   Are you booked in for two-thirty?

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      frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      19:30 London/Lisbon time - or whatever they call it now

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         darksideposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         It doesn't matter what time it is I'm always there for tooth-hurty.

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            frogdroppingposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            Lol I completely missed that. See - in my ridiculous state it went right over my head!
            
            Funny though - an sooooo not appropriate, thanks

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   dcladesignsposted 14 years ago

   When I had my wisdom teeth knocked out, I had local, gas and IV anesthesia.
   
   You know when they have you count backward from 100. Yeah I got to 96 or so before I was out. The scary part was they put a heartbeat monitor on my finger and it beeped when my heart beat. When I went under I didn't hear it beeping anymore and I thought I was dead...really.
   
   I guess you just need to get a new dentist.

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   Pearldiverposted 14 years ago

   Focus on that beautiful whirring sound and it will make you more aware of the nose hairs of that butcher who is about to take out on you... all the bad things that happened to him this morning when his wife crashed the car.
   
   But hey you'll only look stupid with those numb lips for an hour afterwards.
   
   And if you can't see his nose hairs through his mask... focus on the mask and watch how much he dribbles in it.
   
   Honestly FD it is no worse than welping Tadpoles mate

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   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   Ahhh thankyou PD, exactly what I did or didn't need. I will tell you in a few hours whether that A)helped or B)becomes a part of my excuse when the law arrives to remove my gibbering form from the hospital

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    Mishaposted 14 years ago

    Good luck Pretty Froggy

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    TLMinutposted 14 years ago

    I had planned on writing about my nightmare with a dentist last week but I'll show some compassion and wait until you're back!

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    timorousposted 14 years ago

    Hey frogdropping..here's something you don't want to read.  So if you've gotten this far, and you haven't been to the dentist yet, STOP NOW! and read later.
    
    I've had 3 root canals done over the last 25 years.  All under local aneasthetic.  I could just barely feel the drilling going on.  However, the worst part was those damn little files they use to ream out the roots with.  Those roots will still have live nerve endings at the bottom of them (each tooth can have up to 4 roots).  Worst thing ever..I know pain   believe me.  Good thing it's temporary.
    
    Fortunately my dentist is a real pro, and I know it was done properly.  Hurt like hell for a few days each time though.

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    frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

    Well I went. I won't give you the needle to thread account but after waiting 27 minutes (I was clock watching) I almost bolted. It's hard sitting facing fears on your own, however silly, real or otherwise they may be.
    
    As bolting point drew near, I was called. Fab dentist. Shame he's tucked away in a hospital, no (I suppose) follow ups for how his patients get on.
    
    Anyway - he looked at my tooth and informed me he wouldn't extract it. It is more than savable, providing I can get it filled in the next few weeks.
    
    Still not looking forward to it but at least I held my fear in and went. For the record - I threw up before hand. Fear is a horrible thing
    
    @timorous - Christ! That's vile. I've never had a root canal and would probably say 'no ta' to one.
    
    Misha thankyou. I survived
    
    Tlminut - it's fine, write away!

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    TLMinutposted 14 years ago

    The main part I remember is seeing the bone he pulled out with the tooth! So much for being back to normal in a few days to a week...this hurts.

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    cosmetic dentistsposted 14 years ago

    There are many dentists who now cater for people who have a dental phobia, whether it is sedation or just a friendly dentist who takes time out to make you feel relaxed. I am positive that I saw them hubs on here about the topic.
    
    But still, I don't think anyone particularly enjoys a trip to the dentist!

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    frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

    Well thanks again guys
    
    What's gravol? Will it stop me from either vomitting or the upset stomach side (TMI I know but that's how bad I get - all for a bloody dental appoinment) as well as have a calming effect?

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       megs78posted 14 years agoin reply to this

       usually, yes.  gravol is an anti-nauseant that will calm your tummy, but also has a relaxing effect.  i would try it before using it before a dental appt though just to see what effect it has on you, because as far as meds go, there are always side-effects right?  and in some cases, mostly children, gravol can make you hyper and uneasy.  but generally, this is a good strategy if you dont want to wait in a docs office all day just to get a prescriptrion for valium

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    DaMan92posted 14 years ago

    Every time I go to the dentist they put me through a huge amount of pain. And that pain I feel it for days plus it is hard to eat afterwords

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    charanjeet kaurposted 14 years ago

    Aww FD, I hope it all ends well soon. As for the vomitting, panic attacks can take over the best of you. Dear take as many fluids as you can to keep yourself upbeat. Remind yourself it is not as worse as it can get so that you start feeling better.

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    Faceless39posted 14 years ago

    Dental fear affects a large percentage of the population!  Make sure to tell the secretary/hygienist/dentist that you have dental fear.  They should approach your situation in a way that minimizes your fear!

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    Faceless39posted 14 years ago

    PS:  Consider going to a "sedation dentist" next time!

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    Onusonusposted 14 years ago

    I just went to the dentist the other day, when she shot the novicain into my jaw it hit a nerve that went straight into my eyeball. I batted that needle right out of her hand and writhed in pain. All I can say is RUN AWAY!!!!!!!

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    SmilesDocposted 14 years ago

    Frogdropping, you asked "Why do dentists rattle so many people?"
    
    It's the potential for intense pain. even if nothing hurts, it's the expectancy of that searing jolt of agony of sharp drill on virgin tooth.
    
    If teeth lacked sensitivity, it would be like having a haircut or getting your nails done. Where's the challenge in that?

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    Flightkeeperposted 14 years ago

    Sorry to hear about the date with your dentist.  Next time I'd drink a lot if I were you.

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    blondepoetposted 14 years ago

    Omg I hate the dentist. Last time I was there I smacked him in the nose because he would not stop when I said it was hurting.
    I am terrible I would rather see a tooth-ache through with oil of cloves and panadol than face the dentist.
    But I am sure Froggy you are braver than me.

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    timorousposted 14 years ago

    There, there BP...just relax...now this won't hurt a bit, I promise

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       blondepoetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Do you double and triple promise? What type of lollies do you have if I am good? You wouldn't have any fresh king prawns in your little fridge there, would you lol. ?
       
       

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          timorousposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Why of course, my dear...you see, I'm not really a dentist.   Besides, you know those lollies are full of sugar..and that yummy chewy centre that sticks to your teeth.  No dentist would allow that...unless he really wants your business
          
          Can I x-ray your mouth?..please...
          
          P.S.  Sorry, we're fresh outta them fresh king prawns, besides..that's a different kind of filling, isn't it?

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