Charlottechicken Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I've been to the dentist I haven't been for about 14 years (and then required loads of work, replacement fillings, a crown etc). There's flouride in the water in Birmingham and I drink more milk and eat more dairy than anyone I know, yet still have weak teeth Had an extraction (a molar) and some work done on my front tooth, all cleaned and polished now and back home with an achy jaw, as the anaesthetic wears off, and a big gap. I insisted on keeping the tooth (please note, I will not be keeping removed parts after my hysterectomy ) The dentist is about 12 I think but very good, she was worried about me being really nervous and offered me an appointment at the Dental Hospital with general anaesthetic several times. However, I insisted she pull the tooth out and she did so really quickly, and not with pliers either. The needles they use are still huge though At my first appointment she x-rayed my jaw and told me there had been a large abcess under the tooth she has now removed, but it cleared up! I wondered what the lump in my gum was I feel quite pleased with myself now, albeit a bit hungry, and a bit stupid for not going for so long. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I didn't read to the end of the post...pliers...feel ill.... However, I have a friend who also didn't go for 14 years and she's fine and lived to tell the tale. I am also a dentist fearer but I do go. Years ago there were only 2 dentists in Brighton allowed to give a GA, luckily one of them was mine. I nearly had to have one for some work (have had bad reactions to needles) but he was so good I didn't. I would pay a good dentist an awful lot of money to spare me my anxiety so good on you for being brave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theherd123 Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Brilliant news and good for you! Well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done for going! I've had loads of dentisty stuff done, I've always had rubbish enamels so have to have sealants, + braces so pretty used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 My best mate is a consultant orthodonist, and her husband is a dentist, so being afraid of dentists is not allowed for my nearest and dearest She makes me floss, and go for check ups every 6 months, and I haven't needed extra treatment for *Debs touches wood* around 10 years. So get into the habit of going is my motto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done you for going! A friend of mine is petrified of the dentist and finally found one that she felt comfortable with....and then had loads of work done that desperately needed doing The needles are only really long as they have to reach quite a long way into your mouth (that's what my Mum told me anyhow!) That reminds me, I'm overdue a check up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done Claire Take some painkillers to help you sleep tonight. I have had lots of work done on my teeth (my jaw is too small for my teeth, believe it or not ) from a young age. Its not pleasant. I try to imagine I'm somewhere nice- like a hot sunny beach- when I'm in the dreaded chair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenNutter Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Also been to the dentist today for an urgent appointment for a peridontal abscess. Two types of antibiotics and a ban on alcohol for 10 days. Grump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 I didn't go for a long long time, in the end I went as I kept having dreams of them falling out and me getting to 40 and being 'gummy'. So I took a huge huge step a couple of years ago and found a dentist practise that i was really comfortable with and to be honest the hardest bit was the first time opening my mouth to the dentist and showing him what a mess my mouth was.........and he was really nice (but honest) about it and it took a long time, a lot of work and money, but it wasn't anywhere near how bad I had built it up in my mind. I also know that if I hadn't found the correct dentist for me, I wouldn't have stuck with the treatment. So well done on facing your fear! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done you I hadn't been for years when I was pregnant with ED (due to bad dentist my MIL made me go to) but made myself get registered and checked so I wouldn't pass on my fear to them. I think I've had the worse than can happen (teeth out, root canal filling, injection up the nose - well, it feels like it) and survived. However, we were due to go in last March for a check up, but our old dentist moved and we had a new one who couldn't do the original appointment and I was to get in touch. But never did Now am worried that we won't be registered and that I will also need a bit of work doing. I need to make the appointment, but keep 'forgetting'. So I know your fear all too well and it is a great feeling once you have been. Keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done! - I'm another one who would rather stick pins in my eyes than go to the dentist.....but I have got used to my dentist and I do go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperwife Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 ooooh, well done for going you said you kept the tooth does that mean that the tooth fairy is due a visit to you tonight??? I think she pays a lot more for adult teeth cathy x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done - and keep it up, now you've been you know there's nothing else needed at the moment, keep up the flossing and you should stay that way! I used to be terrified of the dentist, but had to have so much work in my late teens/early twenties that I just got over it. Finding a dentist you like and feel confident with is the most important thing, and it sounds as if you have found one. Hmm, adult tooth fairy - must be worth folding money, at least! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted April 13, 2010 Share Posted April 13, 2010 Well done. You must feel proud of yourself, to have conquered a fear like that. Treat yourself to a sonic toothbrush. Expensive, but amazing. I was lucky enough to win one in a raffle a few months ago and I feel as if I have had a scale and polish every time I use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Well done for going I don't know anyone who actually likes going but its one of those things you just have to do. My MIL has got shocking teeth, so that makes us more keen on going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Seagazer - allow me to be the first person you know who enjoys going to the dentist! (I probably should explain though that my dentist is my best friend, and she always books me a double appointment just before lunch so we can have a good chinwag and then go out for lunch together ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted April 14, 2010 Share Posted April 14, 2010 Ah bribery and corruption does work then!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted April 15, 2010 Author Share Posted April 15, 2010 Thanks everyone for the kind words, I do feel a bit pathetic though. I still have a sore mouth today, I think it could be my teeth trying to move round to fill the gap as they were very overcrowded. I am such a control freak normally and hate to show signs of weakness but felt rather ill at the though of going. I was told off by my dentist so will be going back in 6 months time. I had to get the teeth sorted because of the impending op (just over 4 weeks away ) I was unable to take painkillers because of prescribed meds ( which are NSAIDs but don't work as such on me). I wish the tooth fairy would come, that would be nice, I've got a new netbook to pay for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...