Dentists...

alexthecheese · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:46

Anybody got an irrational, yet actually self-inflicted, fear of the dentists?

I haven't been in about 7 years, I was just working out. I've now got tooth ache in my lower jaw at the front, where my canine (if that's what it's called) is and I'm going to have to book myself in now.

The fear I think is more the feeling that I have let myself down, as I know I'll need more fillings, and the feeling that the dentist will think I'm a total tool for leaving it so long. I remember the last time going through the process of him assessing my teeth and I could just feel the shame as he read out what was wrong with my teeth.

Pretty tragic that I fear what the dentist thinks think more than the dentist work itself, really. Anyone else that sad?

Narj · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:48

Get a recommendation from someone you trust. I went to a dentist who specialises in phobics and the whole thing was a non-event. Ended up having a root canal but didn't feel a thing.

Fenris · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:51

I've been in the same boat, I didn't care for my teeth properly for a long time, luckily mine never got that bad but they are noticeably worse for wear now.

What I did was just admit it as soon as I sat down, told them I know I hadn't been doing what I should have been and just asked them to tell me what the deal was and what I should be doing from then on.

My dentist was very understanding, if yours starts acting condescending call them out on it.

alexthecheese · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:52

Cheers guys. I'm on the phone now on hold to get an appointment, so this is actually quite a big step for me.

wingman · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:55

Same as above, my root canal was a non event. Ended up getting almost bored sat in the chair to be honest.

A friend of mine recently visited the dentist not long after my root canal, and he hadn't been for three years for reasons I don't know. When he came back he had to have absolutely nothing done to his teeth. Rather irritating!

Fenris · 5 Jun 2013 at 12:57

wingman said:
Same as above, my root canal was a non event. Ended up getting almost bored sat in the chair to be honest.

Same for me, I was expecting a root canal to be like taking the horror train directly to agony city...

Actually it was boring as hell, no pain what so ever and I didn't quite believe them when they said it was done.

eatcustard · 5 Jun 2013 at 13:31

Grow a pair and visit your dentist, its less painful than you think.

isonomicjedi · 5 Jun 2013 at 13:35

Have them all taken out.

Its more painful than you think.
But soon gets better.

mmj_uk · 5 Jun 2013 at 13:37

I don't mind dentists it's hairdressers that I hate, I usually put it off for as long as possible.

snitcher · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:20

good dentists are a rarity these days.

apeksdiver · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:23

I have a great NHS dentist at the mo, miles better than the private one I had a few years ago. THe real pain was in the wallet £450 for a root canal!

Cosimo · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:25

Never given going to the dentists a second thought but if one ever said to me "is it safe" I might get a little worried.

Fenris · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:28

Cosimo said:
Never given going to the dentists a second thought but if one ever said to me "is it safe" I might get a little worried.

I think I would probably **** myself.

Gooner Leroy · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:40

alexthecheese said:
Anybody got an irrational, yet actually self-inflicted, fear of the dentists?

I haven't been in about 7 years, I was just working out. I've now got tooth ache in my lower jaw at the front, where my canine (if that's what it's called) is and I'm going to have to book myself in now.

The fear I think is more the feeling that I have let myself down, as I know I'll need more fillings, and the feeling that the dentist will think I'm a total tool for leaving it so long. I remember the last time going through the process of him assessing my teeth and I could just feel the shame as he read out what was wrong with my teeth.

Pretty tragic that I fear what the dentist thinks think more than the dentist work itself, really. Anyone else that sad?

I'm in exactly the same boat. I'm also quite concerned with how much its going to cost me because I'm sure I will need quite a bit of work doing on my teeth. Just booked an appointment in 2 weeks time. God knows what the dentist is going to say

pingwing · 5 Jun 2013 at 14:44

mmj_uk said:
I don't mind dentists it's hairdressers that I hate, I usually put it off for as long as possible.

Yes! I used to be like that really badly, as a teenager I grew really long hair because I just hated the process of getting my hair cut so much. 6 years since I got it all cut off (this was nearly 2 foot of hair at the final point) and it's taken years to get comfortable going for one, I make my self go at very least every 9 weeks (feels like I am getting value for money) but the Elvin the Elvis impersonator tends to get way too into it and takes too much off.

Still better than grown some hair because NI hairdresser women are about the 3rd most terrifying thing about the place...

hargi · 20 Jun 2013 at 07:14

Yes I have t been for about 12 years due to when I was little I needed fillings on my front teeth involving two needles which didn't totally numb the area and the dentist ignoring me telling him it was still hurting. Making my face swell up, a week kr so later these fillings fall out and have to go back same problem again. Last time I did go was for a molar when the dentist properly numbed me and found out that I have a extra nerve then most people so did some work and was sorted.
I don't like the burning sensation of the needle going in.
Anyways here I am now with crap teeth, my front 4 all have holes at the top but they don't hurt, I don't brush them though else they would but now I have pain in bottom molar so may have to bite the bullet and try to go somewhere. But really dreading it.
Can I ask what's the prices like looked at the nhs website and it says £214 but is that going to be per tooth or would that cover my 4 front fillings and the problem at the back.

wndsr · 20 Jun 2013 at 07:39

The only reason I put off seeing my dentist is because he has a large number of shares in the company I work for and insists on talking about them for the duration of my appointment. It's very tiring.

monkehhh · 20 Jun 2013 at 09:28

hargi said:
Can I ask what's the prices like looked at the nhs website and it says £214 but is that going to be per tooth or would that cover my 4 front fillings and the problem at the back.

As someone who didn't go for years, then had to have 8 teeth removed - GO. It's not that bad. As someone said earlier, just be straight with your dentist and ask them what you need to do to sort them out. It'll take some time, but now I get praised everytime I go

Treatment comes in 3 bands - if you need the most expensive band of treatment on the NHS you'll need to pay £214, but this will cover the whole course of treatment (not per tooth, not per visit).

peige · 20 Jun 2013 at 09:29

I hate going too, put it off for large periods of my life and only get forced back after weeks of pain and lack of sleep.
I've resolved that I will keep going now to the check-ups. I have found a good one who talks to me and seems to be able to work with very little pain. The reason I went back was due to one very bad tooth which in the end has had to be removed, I had this done under sedation as it was so angry that no amount of injections could stop it hurting, this is apparently not uncommon in a tooth that was as far gone as this one. He did say I could go to a specialist root canal dentist but we're talking £900+ and still no guarantee it can be saved.

My own fear started in my early teens when I had a dentist in the early 80's who basically filled every one of my molars regardless, from what I can gather now it was a way of making easy money under the NHS but at the time I knew no better and my mum just did what she thought was right by making me go to the dentist and get what he said needed doing done.

In the end I've had to man up and just do it. Bad teeth can shorten your life causing all sorts of other problems in your body.

Adsta · 20 Jun 2013 at 09:37

I don’t trust dentist’s to be honest. They have a huge thing called the Hospital which deals with every part of your body EXCEPT your teeth. Meanwhile you have these dudes that setup shop and take care of your teeth.

Dentist's are clearly the red haired step child of health care !