Well folks it’s been awhile since I have seen a dentist. I finally got dental insurance and I intend to take full advantage of it while I have it.
The thing is I am scaird. I can’t believe it, but I am. The last time I went the lady really raked my gums to no end. It hurt just to get them cleaned. She was shoving that floss so hard my gums were bleeding. I am having horror thoughts just thinking about it. Please no one mention that stupid movie with the dentist that ends up pulling his wifes teeth out with no pain medication over her affair with the pool guy.:rolleyes:
One good thing is I will be going to someone different. My friend recommended this one and she has a nice set of teeth. I am just having a nervous spell. I hope there aren’t too many cavities.
Good luck. My wife went to the dentist today. She has always had bad teeth, but finally found a dentist she liked. After a dozen trips or so over a two years period, he suddenly dropped our insurance company. She tried another who was still on our insurance plan, but didn’t like the guy. I finally said “screw the money, go to the guy you’re comfortable with”. So she did, and for her loyalty, the dentist agreed to do $800 worth of work for $295 - the amount it would have cost if he still honored our insurance. I like this guy!
I actually really don’t mind going to the dentist but I hate going to the doctor.
Some strategies I employ include being up front with the doctor that I’m apprehensive (telling him or her that you had a bad experience at your old dentist and what exactly went wrong may help) and listening to music (take a walkman/discman/mp3 player if you have it).
While you’re in the chair, just keep telling yourself that you’re fine and you’ll be outta there in no time! Good luck with your new dentist.
I hate the dentist as well, but Nitrous makes the experience almost bearable.
I told my dentist upfront that I was a big baby when it came to dentistry. He was extremely gentle, and used Nitrous whenever I asked.
One thing that also helped: Tell him/her that you will use a “thumbs-up” or “thumbs-down” sign to indicate the level of Nitrous you need. So when it starts to hurt, “thumbs-up”; and if you start feeling too dizzy, “thumbs-down.”
Also, at the end, tell him/her to shut off the Nitrous and just give you some “pure” oxygen for a few minutes. This will help prevent a headache afterwards.
My dad’s a dentist, so I’ve never been apprehensive about going to see him, but whenever I do need a cavity filled I always always always ask for nitrous. It definitely makes the whole experience more pleasent…even if you are in the worst pain of your life.
Ask your dentist if (s)he has the ‘Wand.’ If your dentist does not, find a new dentist.
The Wand is a computer controlled solenoid incremental injection device. Most of the pain from an injection is due to tissue separation caused by injecting the anesthetic too quickly. The wand overcomes all of that. The dosage is more precise and wears off sooner as well. All of this makes for a much more pain free visit.
If your gums are bleeding so severely, you are not flossing often enough. Try eating raw apples and carrots regularly. The gentle abrasion helps to strengthen your gums.
Many years ago, Mrs. KVS had the same experience. I finally got her to go to my dentist (just after we were married). I explained to him that she was very nervous because she hadn’t been to the dentist for several years. He was very gentle, did a great job, and now she’s a “poster child” for going to the dentist (every 3 months).
And, like Phax, he allowed us to make payment arrangements when we didn’t have dental insurance. I’ve been seeing him now for more than 20 years, and the kids go as well.
I had my teeth cleaned folks. See, ? The experience went very well I must say. Look ma, after 9 yrs of not going to the dentist I have only one cavity. Yeah for me!!! I am happy that it is over for now. I go back in 3 weeks. But I feel much better about the whole thing now that I have been.
I really liked the dental hygentist. She was so nice and understanding and explained everything she was doing. I was in charge of the suction thingy. I think she wanted to give me a task to help keep my mind off what was going on. So she got me involved. I was very interested when she stuck a camera in my mouth with the video picture of my teeth on t.v. That was pretty cool and a real eyopener :eek: . I have to admit my gums are sore. She said there was some inflammation around the gum line, but that it could just have been from the tarter build up and going so long without having them cleaned. She says my gums will heal and need to go back for a cleaning in October.
Now I go back April 30th for the filling on the cavity. I feel I will make it through that ordeal with flying colors. But they have said that I should go see the oral surgeon about having my 4 wisdom teeth removed. Only one has broke through and the other 3 are under the surface somewhere. My biggest fear has always been getting them removed, which is why at 32 yrs of age I still have them. I want to know what is wrong with keeping them if they don’t bother me? They used to hurt, but very rarely anymore.
I don’t know. This is going to take some courage. Good grief. I know it needs to be done, but I’m just too chicken. Gosh I feel like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz. Anyone know where I can get some courage? Let me know cause I’m sure as hell gonna need it.
? The experience went very well I must say. Look ma, after 9 yrs of not going to the dentist I have only one cavity. Yeah for me!!! I am happy that it is over for now. I go back in 3 weeks. But I feel much better about the whole thing now that I have been.