Going to the dentist - why do I always do this to myself?

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I just got back from the dentist. It had been a while since my last check-up. Four and a half years since my last check-up, actually. I hate going to the dentist. Absolutely hate it. I can't stand the sounds of the place, I never like the flavor of polish they use, and I just don't like to go. So, I build it up in my mind to be this horrible event and psych myself up so much that it takes forever before I ever make another appointment. Then, when I do finally make an appointment, I absolutely dread it, assume the worst, and just drive myself nuts thinking of all the things that could possibly be found. Then I go, and there is absolutely nothing wrong. Not even so much as a cavity. Why do I do this to myself? Why can't I just be a normal person who goes to the dentist every 6 months and gets on with my life? Anyone else a major dentist wuss?

 

[Christine]

I used to be.

The longest I went was 5 years. Then I moved and found a dentist at my new place that was pretty cool so I tried to be better. Since that time (it has been about 18 years), I have gone every six months. I still hate going, I get really wound up before I go, and I just want to cancel but I push through.

I have no clue why I am like this. I have not had a cavity since I have had permanent teeth. The only thing I can think is that when I was six years old, I had a cavity in one of my baby teeth. The dentist filled it, without Novacaine, and it was pretty horrific.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I used to be.

The longest I went was 5 years. Then I moved and found a dentist at my new place that was pretty cool so I tried to be better. Since that time (it has been about 18 years), I have gone every six months. I still hate going, I get really wound up before I go, and I just want to cancel but I push through.

I have no clue why I am like this. I have not had a cavity since I have had permanent teeth. The ony thing I can think is that when I was six years old, I had a cavity in one of my baby teeth. The dentist filled it, without Novacaine, and it was pretty horrific.

Well that sounds terrible! I have only had one filling in my life, but I can't imagine how terrible it would have been without Novocaine. Yikes!

 

[wiigirl]

Well that sounds terrible! I have only had one filling in my life, but I can't imagine how terrible it would have been without Novocaine. Yikes!

double yikes!

 

[Christine]

Back in the 1960s (and that's when it was) they thought that children didn't have much nerve sensitivity and did not *need* numbing for a filling. I think I could have told them differently!!! It was really painful.

 

[chobie]

Yes, I went years without seeing one too. Had 3 cavities and needed a root canal and a crown. $2000 out of pocket (had crappy dental insurance). Maybe had a gone every 6 months I wouldn't have had needed all that?

I'm going every 6 months now.

 

[mombrontrent]

I always make my next 6 month appointment before I leave the office after my check-up. That way it done and I can't procrastinate calling and setting up an appointment. If the time doesn't work in 6 months when they call to confirm I just set up another time then. It works for me because I would probably put it off a lot longer.

 

[teacup princess]

I just went to the dentist after four years, but that's more because we don't have dental and after paying for 4 kids to go every 6 months I'm kind of done with dental bills. I did have 3 small cavities and was horribly dreading having them filled but it was quick and semi-painless so I don't know why I was fretting it so much.

 

[NFLDERS]

I'm the last person to ask. As we speak, well one of us can speak! I have 2 temporary molar fillings. One more wk before permanents. It will be 4 appts = $$ (b/c 1st impressions were not lab friendly) before I'm done. These fillings were 10 yrs old. I'd broken one on a Christmas goodie then the neighbouring filling decided to join in the fun. I'd maxed out on Coverage in one yr period exrays cleaning ie so. . . this is an unexpected expense before Christmas!
Bau (sp.?) Humbug!

Seriously, I've always gone every 6 mos for the past 43ish yrs. A lot of family & friends sport dentures as they did not!

 

[TifffanyD]

I am jealous of those who got every 6 months as I have to go every 4.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I just got back from the dentist. It had been a while since my last check-up. Four and a half years since my last check-up, actually. I hate going to the dentist. Absolutely hate it. I can't stand the sounds of the place, I never like the flavor of polish they use, and I just don't like to go. So, I build it up in my mind to be this horrible event and psych myself up so much that it takes forever before I ever make another appointment. Then, when I do finally make an appointment, I absolutely dread it, assume the worst, and just drive myself nuts thinking of all the things that could possibly be found. Then I go, and there is absolutely nothing wrong. Not even so much as a cavity. Why do I do this to myself? Why can't I just be a normal person who goes to the dentist every 6 months and gets on with my life? Anyone else a major dentist wuss?

I guess because you can lol. DH is the same way. He went after not going for a long while and nothing.

I HAVE to go every 6 months. I have a lot of dental work in my mouth.

I am really, really trying to be more meticulous with my teeth so I do not lose one of my molars.

 

[aprilchem]

Yes, I HATE to go to the dentist. I had a really, really bad experience with an oral surgeon when I was in grad school and ever since then I've had a major phobia. Luckily I have really good teeth so when I do force myself to go I never have any issues. I'm thinking of trying sedation dentistry (that's how bad it is!).

 

[Handbag Lady]

I'm petrified and it takes a LOT to make me go. In the last three years, I've made and cancelled several appointments. I just can't go, even though since the incident below happened years ago and I have been back since.

When I was in my early teens, I had my wisdom teeth pulled. All four at once and they just kept shooting me over and over again with novocaine. The last tooth refused to budge so they left me in the chair for about a a half hour, tending to another patient. They came back to me and tried again. The numbness has worn off so the nurse held me down while my tooth was chipped away at until it could be pulled. Talk about pain AND humiliation! I was crying but no one cared.

I had no idea that most other dentists do sedation for doing all four wisdom teeth at once.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I just got back from the dentist. It had been a while since my last check-up. Four and a half years since my last check-up, actually. I hate going to the dentist. Absolutely hate it. I can't stand the sounds of the place, I never like the flavor of polish they use, and I just don't like to go. So, I build it up in my mind to be this horrible event and psych myself up so much that it takes forever before I ever make another appointment. Then, when I do finally make an appointment, I absolutely dread it, assume the worst, and just drive myself nuts thinking of all the things that could possibly be found. Then I go, and there is absolutely nothing wrong. Not even so much as a cavity. Why do I do this to myself? Why can't I just be a normal person who goes to the dentist every 6 months and gets on with my life? Anyone else a major dentist wuss?

Yes, this is me exactly. I HATE it. Had some traumatic experiences as a kid and also had a follow-up procedure when a wisdom tooth removal got infected that led to half my tongue being numb for several months (with the fear it was going to stay that way!!). I put it off and dread going. I HATE the feeling of them scraping my teeth and the polish going on.

 

[penn19]

Hate it with a passion. Traumatic experiences as a kid. Its still in my head after all these years. No novacaine, and the Dentist was very intimidating. I finally found a good dentist and I go every 6 months. They are really good with me because they know I sit in the chair and break out in a cold sweat. And thats just for a cleaning.

 

[Zandy595]

I'm terrified of the dentist and haven't been in over 18 years. I only went then because I broke a tooth while out to eat with a friend who worked at a dental office. She set up the appointment for me and held my hand the whole time.

I know I need to go because I have a visible cavity in a front tooth that should be taken care of before I lose the tooth. I need to find an office that will do sedation for everything because I'll be hyperventilating just walking in the door. Just thinking about it makes my stomach upset.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I would rather go to ANY doctor than the dentist. I would rather get a shot every day for a year than go see the dentist. It's absolutely ridiculous, but there never really is anything major wrong. I've only had one filling ever, and that was when I was 25. I have never needed a root canal, a crown, a bridge, or anything like that. I hate the sounds of the scraping and the spit sucker thing. I hate the way the polisher feels and sounds. And I am absolutely terrified that they will find something wrong, have to drill some, pull some, do some root canals, etc. Of course, if I would just be diligent and go every 6 months, the anxiety before each appointment MIGHT be worse. I mean, I work up in my mind that I haven't been in so long that they HAVE to find something wrong. Ugh. I wish I was not a mental nut when it came to the dentist. At least I am in good company, though.

 

[Kimberle]

Sorry for your fear. It is important to keep up with your dental health. Issues can sometimes affect your overall health. I have a friend who had dental "fear" as well. When she was 52, she had to have all her teeth pulled due to their poor condition. It's been 2 years, and she still struggles with her dentures.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Sorry for your fear. It is important to keep up with your dental health. Issues can sometimes affect your overall health. I have a friend who had dental "fear" as well. When she was 52, she had to have all her teeth pulled due to their poor condition. It's been 2 years, and she still struggles with her dentures.

The weird thing is, I KNOW THIS. It happened to my aunt. Still, they need to come up with a shot that can just get me in the front door first. Like most fears, mine is totally irrational. But it is still a fear nonetheless.

 

[NFLDERS]

The weird thing is, I KNOW THIS. It happened to my aunt. Still, they need to come up with a shot that can just get me in the front door first. Like most fears, mine is totally irrational. But it is still a fear nonetheless.

Medication for anxiety, Hypnosis. & Sleep Dentistry. Maybe, some aid can be considered.