Here’s a little background information on me to get things started. I’m 22 years old, have been to the dentist every 6 months like clockwork up until a year ago, have never had a cavity, and I spent 10 years saddled with every orthodontic apparatus that my mother and my doctor could come up with.
That being said, I received quite a nasty shock today when I went to the dentist for a routine check-up and was informed that, not only did I have several cavities, I had a root canal and a crown to look forward to in the not-so-distant future.
Yikes!
Another tidbit about me: I don’t like sharp metal things in my mouth that I have no control over. I always lie there, eyes squinched tightly shut, nails digging gouges into the side of the chair, waiting for the dental hygenist’s hand to slip and stab my in the gums. I also do not care for needles. The thought of someone coming at me, needle in one hand and Sharp Metal Device Of Torture in the other, is enough to give me cold chills and nightmares.
The people that I normally turn to when I’m confused or scared are no help whatsoever. Neither my husband nor my mother have ever endured a root canal. I have heard from secondhand sources that root canals hurt horribly, which does not encourage me to hurry up and schedule the procedure. On the other hand, I am very weird about my teeth. I endured years of appliances, retainers, braces, and more retainers to get the even smile that I now possess, and I don’t want to mess it up. (Plus my mother would never let me hear the end of it!)
So help me out, Dopers. What delightful things do I have to look forward too? More information on the subject, plus some insight from others that have had the procedure, might make me a little less scared of it
I’ve inherited bad teeth from someone. I have three cavities now that I’m getting filled in late August, and I have 12 other cavities that I have had filled. Luckily, all the cavities are in the back teeth. None of them ever hurt. I only had novocain in four of them. The dentist also told me that my wisdom teeth are growing in sideways, and that I should get them pulled before I go to college. I am going to avoid that unless it is absolutely needed.
I really don’t know how I get cavities, I brush twice a day, and floss regularly. I have fluoride toothpaste, too.
I hate getting my teeth filled, but It isn’t that bad. Novocain was always an option on my teeth, but for some of them they said that it wasn’t needed, and it wasn’t. Now, I refuse to get teeth filled unless I’m shot up with something. The novocain shot isn’t really that bad at all, just a slight pinch. My dentist will let you have headphones and a face mask in whine he is working on you if the sound and sight of a drill bother you. Ask if you can do that.
I also got bad teeth genes from someone - like Mudshark I brush 2-3 times a day, floss at least daily and still, whenever I go to the dentist there are more cavities (I think it has something to do with the acidity of diet coke, and I’ve reduced my intake significantly. I’m hoping for a better dental visit next time).
Anyway, I’ve had no less than 5 root canals and plenty of fillings too. Root canals are not that bad. I mean, they’re not fun, but as long as they numb you - and make sure you’re numb before they do anything - it’s not a terrible experience.
If you’re really worried about it, talk to your dentist about your concerns and get a full explanation before the day of the procedure - that morning, when you’re nervous anyway is not the time to try to remember questions.
Fillings? Again, not so bad. Like with the root canal, find out what needs to be done to which teeth before the dentist starts. Otherwise…fillings have never been a big deal for me. If you’re worried about the noise of the drilling, find out if you can wear a pair of headphones with some music to try to drown it out. (But I’ve been known to nap while getting teeth filled, and not because I was going to a “sedation dentist”).
Possibly stupid question, but when is a cavity a cavity?
I’m assuming, Bellestar, that you didn’t have any throbbing, painful or obviously broken bits in your mouth. Otherwise the cavities would not have been a surprise. So are these just minor cavities? Is it possible that a more conservative dentist wouldn’t consider these worth drilling?
Do people get second opinions on this sort of thing?
Getting back to the topic, I’m sorry to hear about your teeth. I know some dentists prescribe things like Valium for anxious patients–maybe if you called the dentist’s office they could phone in a prescription for you.