Anyone else a big baby when it comes to the dentist?

[Tigger&Belle]

I hate going to the dentist. A couple of weeks ago I was eating and had a major break in a tooth, so I got to spend the afternoon at the dentist getting a new crown. This morning I was drinking my coffee and the tooth fell out, so I had to go back to the dentist. He put pins in so that hopefully the tooth will hold, otherwise I'm not sure what we'll do. As much as I hated having this happen, at least I didn't have time to procrastinate getting the work done since it was an emergency. Hate going, though!

 

[Caleb's Mom]

Dental coward here too. A few years back when I had a bridge re-done, I'd tensed up and crossed my legs so tightly while in the chair that when I got up to leave I literally could not stand and fell to the floor!
I too had a dental savage in my youth - Small town dentist who inherited the practice from his father so everything was ancient. Waiting room has those nasty plastic covered chairs and antiseptic smell, he always played public radio which no 6 year old wants to listen to! I remember getting a tooth pulled and my head literally being jerked and then the sound of the tooth hitting the metal tray.
Okay, I need to quit here and go to my happy place now!!!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My first dentist, which my mom brought all us kids to, had the dutch doors between the waiting room and the exam/work area. I think he had the doors there to make it harder for the kids to escape. LOL One time I got upset and rain out of the office and refused to go back in. My mom switched me to a pedi dentist (they weren't too common back in the 60's) and it was a lot better. At least he was kind and gentle.

 

[figment52]

about 20 years ago my dentist taught me this trick ....

I wear a blindfold, like a sleep mask. I can't see the hand and/or instruments comingat me if I involuntarily open my eyes. I also bring my own music nad headset so i cna listen to what relaxes me.

I forgot my blindfold once and we made one out of those bib things, not as geed but effective enough.

 

[Steffi]

HUGE dental coward here. But my fears don't stem from a sadistic childhood dentist. I was perfectly at ease with dentists until about 12 years ago when I had a root canal.

The dentist was very impatient with me and refused to believe that I wasn't numb after however many novacaine shots I'd been given. So he started the root canal and I could feel it deep down. I had tears streaming down my face and his assistant rolled her eyes and said, "She's crying." Oh, and his advice for pain management afterwards? "A couple Advils should do the trick."

 

[SleepyMom]

Wow, all these years I thought it was just me! I also had a bad experience as a child with a dentist and have been scared every since of going to one, so much so that I actually did not go to one for years and years. Finally I had no choice when a tooth broke and thankfully I went to one who understood my fears and helped ease them somewhat. I still do not like going and get sick feeling, but I have learned that laughing gas is my friend, I have to have it even for a regular cleaning and check-up.

The weird thing is I could not remember the bad experience, I just knew something had happened and I was scared to death to go. A few years ago I suddenly remembered what had happened and it wasn't even to me Our childhood dentist had 2 chairs in one room and both my younger brother and I had an appointment at the same time. He had all these blue cloths over him and his mouth was being held open by something and he was bleeding, a lot. They changed several of those blue cloths and then left to give the bleeding time to stop I guess... all I know is that I was terrified he was dying or something, there was so much blood and no adults around to help.

I passed that fear on to my oldest DD, but younger DD thankfully did not pick up on it, especially since she will be needing braces very soon.

 

[hydster]

Another coward here too which is so stupid as many stinking times as I've been in the chair in the last 8 years! My fear was the fear of needles when I was a kid and my mom took me to a pediadontist and he was really nice but his office lady was a real hag! She'd start making fun of me when I'd cry about going back to get the shot. One time I was freaking out because this pediadontist lived in our neighborhood and knew my parents couldn't afford braces so he was going to pull 8 teeth all at the same visit. I was freaking out *even after a dose of valium* and this lady actually came back while I was sitting there and duct taped my hands down onto the chair. Since then I've hated the dentist. I've had so many things done to me and yet I still put off going and panic when I figure out I need to go again.

Now when I make the appt my dentist who I truly do like calls me in a prescription of Xanax for me to start taking the day before and then he has the gas all ready for me when I walk through the door. I literally have had to have my dh drag me into his office because I hate going so bad.

I too have told my dentist I'd rather give birth to an elephant than sit in his chair.

Good luck I feel your pain and panic!

 

[eeyore kelly]

Marquis de Sade School of Dentistry

I will remember that phrase

I wear a blindfold, like a sleep mask. I can't see the hand and/or instruments comingat me if I involuntarily open my eyes. I also bring my own music nad headset

i will do that next time..if there is a next time

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

I hate going to the dentist. Mine is due to bad experiences as a child also, with a dentist drilling with no novacaine!!

I have a very nice dentist now, but still hate those checkups.

 

[motherhen17404]

Yep, another dental coward here. I have had problems going to the dentist since I was young also. Why were there so many bad dentist in the 60's and 70's??? I have found a great dentist. The first appointment I had with him all he did was talk to me about my fears. He then figured out what would work for me. He gives me valium to take the night before and the morning of the appointment. And I take my IPod and and headphones and play the loudest music I can stand. I hate the sound of the drill in my head! I keep my eyes closed and he does not talk to me until the work is done. I do not want to know what he is doing in my mouth while he is doing it. That just makes it worse for me. I had to have 2 root canals and my dentist sent me to a specialist and he even called ahead to talk to the other dentist to explain my fears. I guess it is working, I had to have 2 teeth filled and I forgot to take my valium before hand and everything was ok. It also helps that my dentist does not rush to get my work done. He takes his time to make sure I am comfortable.

 

[minniemick]

I am also scared of dentists, my Husband and myself went for checkups to-day and I was shaking, lucky I have not got to have any treatment but my Husband has to have a tooth out but he does not mind going to the dentist. I think it was going to the school dentist as a child that has made me so scared.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Yeah, that is me!!! I can't stand going to the dentist.

 

[Ronda93]

I clearly remember biting my dentist Dr. Wolff (RIP - he's kindly remembered in this article). It was the summer of 1969 and he told me if I did that again I would beat the men to the moon. He was great. Our water was not flouridated. He worked on my teeth a bunch.

Today, I like my dentist. I view her as a necessary evil. I cannot stand the drill. I brush two, sometimes three times a day and floss religiously. Working so far ; )

 

[mommaU4]

I hate the dentist so much I cannot put it into words. I have had to go for a root canal before and hated it. Right now I need to have some work done but there is no way I'm going in. At this point I'd probably need to go to a hospital and be completely knocked out to have any work done. Someday I'll get up the courage to go.......maybe.