While I go every 6 months now, for many years I avoided the dentist because of the pain. The top several most painful experiences in my life were in the dentist’s chair. I’ve had 8 shots of local anesthetic and it was still very painful. I’ve had so much anesthetic that the dentist said I would be in danger of overdose if I had more - after I leaped out of his chair and broke his drill bit, he gave me more.
Fear, pain and expense.
By the time I was seven I’d had 5 teeth removed because of abcesses, and many more that just decayed - I had no enamal on my teeth. The fear started then, with a dentist who didn’t believe in novocaine, who pulled the wrong teeth by mistake, a true sadist. By the time I was an adult I got used it ignoring the pain. I’ve had abcesses so bad that my whole face was swollen and I was taking 6 ibuprofen every four hours to live with the pain. When it started to drain I’d press a gause pad against there to drain the infection. Now as an adult, I need to have dental work done, but the last estimate (several years ago) was $10K after the insurance paid their part to do it. Even if I could get sedation dentistry I couldn’t afford it. I’ve thought about doing a medical vacation to Mexico to have it done cheaper. So I live with frequent pain. It’s not anything I can’t handle, compared to migraines.
StG
When I was a child, painkilling novocaine or whatever it’s called, was never an option. They just didn’t use any painkillers at all. It wasn’t until I was 12 that I got my first painkilling injection, from a new dentist, who was unfortunately otherwise rough and incompetent.
Childhood experiences stay with me forever. My current dentist is excellent, and very nice and helpful to talk with, but nevertheless my experiences as a child make me hate the whole anticipation and experience.
My teeth are genetically weak, anyway. Even regular proper cleaning and care makes little difference. Eventually they will crumble.
I agree that childhood experiences can leave a lasting impression. The first time I went to a dentist as a kid, he came at me with the black mask attached to the ether tank. I will never forget that as long as I live.
Huh?
I am sitting here, 2 days out from a root canal and still in an assload of pain, so I’d say any fear I have is pretty justified at this point.