I'm sure this has been asked to death but I couldn't find any recent threads.

Is there a reason, a statistical reason, to have an overwhelming fear of going to the dentist? I cry, have panic attacks, see my life flash before my eyes when I sit in that chair. I shake when the drill comes out. I went to the dentist as a child, but have always been afraid.

Is this warrented? I see a lot of people post on here about problems they've had - fillings falling out, failed root canals, long term pain and infections. Are these 'common' problems, or is it just the fact it's a board entitled 'dental problems' and all the evils of dentistry are congregating here?

I have a large amount of work that needs to be done - at least 4 fillings and possibly one root canal. My husband needs 5 or 6 roots canals and has bony impacted wisdom teeth - his parents never (when I say never, I mean never) took him to the dentist. Both of us are scared as heck. I know it's normal, but is it logical? Just curious - I'd like to know how well the odds are in my favor before I go into this...

If I were you, I'd look for someone that does sedation dentistry. If you're that nervous about it, that would be about the best solution.

Hi there i have a real phobia about dentists and it really is mind over matter. I started with a lot of facial pain so had to go to the hospital because i had tmjd surgeon said if i wanted my face pain to get better i needed to get my teeth fixed so i had no choice im onto my 5th filling last one and ive never felt a thing the whole time except when she hit a nerve with the injection but thats another story i still have 3 root canal treatments another scale and a crown and i just dont think about it at all you really shouldnt worry take each step at a time and you will be fine

Miss L

Many people have dental fears and most dental offices are equipt to help patients deal with them. Have you ever tried nitrous? You might want to try it and then bring some headphones. I find that this works great for patients. If that doesn't work a lot of dentists will prescribe valium prior to treatment as long as the patient brings a driver. Discuss this with your denist and find out what they have to offer and how they can accomodate your needs.

Good Luck

It's not the fear of having the work done - I can stand the pain and grin and bear it.

It's the fear of something going wrong after the work is done (losing a filling, having a deeper infection, etc etc).

PS : I have tried nitrous, and I'm allergic. I develop asthma type symptoms from it.

The only real thing I can tell you is that dental fear/phobia and anxiety are all too real for a great many people. There are as many reasons for this as there are for going to the dentist. I cannot post the direct link, but there are support sites with message boards that you can visit that are geared especially for patients like "us." Yep. Took me years to finally work through this. Now, for me the problem isn't necessarily seeing the dentist, it is managing to withstand the cleanings. Long story, and I am not going into it here.

Google the following: "dental phobia and fear" and "beyond fear" and you will find the support that you need. I can't post the web addresses here, so you will have to take a while to find what you are looking for in online support. Good luck,

I have a real phobia, due to the fact that as a child and a young adult I was humiliated and smacked by a dentist, when I was pregnant with my first child over 30 years ago, I had a dentist in Denver pop me on the head everytime I moved, he told me he wasnt going to give me novicane for the pain If I moved... I hate that look they give me. when I am in so much pain that I just go in to have the tooth removed, I dont want the fillings or anything else.. I know what these dentists are thinking about my teeth, I've had most of them removed...and now I am dealing with periodontal disease, loose teeth, and I have absolutly no insurance or money, I live on a fixed income...So I sit here and suffer. I am trying home remedies... and all I saved up $85 to see a dentist, and all he did was take exrays, and refere me to a periodontist... what a waste of money.

I have a real phobia, due to the fact that as a child and a young adult I was humiliated and smacked by a dentist, when I was pregnant with my first child over 30 years ago, I had a dentist in Denver pop me on the head everytime I moved, he told me he wasnt going to give me novicane for the pain If I moved... I hate that look they give me. .

I can certainly understand how you feel. I let my teeth go for nearly twenty years. I will admit that I came out extremely lucky in that I have all my teeth and will likely have them for most of my life. The biggest thing that you have to do is to identify exactly what causes your phobia to explode. Then, find a dentist or, in your case a periodontist, that understands and is willing to treat you with kindness, understanding and care. Be very cautious and careful because a great many clinics that advertise that they care for phobic patients don't. You also have a real challenge in that you have very limited resources to pay for this. I really sympathize. I hope things will work out.

Try to be as proactive about choosing your provider as possible. Call the perio office you have been referred to and state that you have limited resources, and are a phobic patient and that if they don't answer the questions you want to ask in advance, you are more than happy to find some place else to go.

The first question I am asking when I call for my next followup is if Atilla the Pick is still the hygienist there, and if she is, please help my find a new clinic. The point is, you are still empowered enough to be in complete control of your situation.

barbj,

i just did this for another person on this board, but try searching [removed] for "free dental clinic *your state here*" may be able to point you in the direction of some advice/help/treatment.

being a volunteer myself, we may not have all the fancy bells and whistles but we do have giving compassionate hearts.

[Please do not direct persons on how to do a website search. Thanks - Well-come Moderator.]

Hi,

I am the worst patient in the world. I have the worst fear of dentists. My heart beats/pounds out of my chest when I am there. I go to an IV Sedation dentist in Queens, NY. I find it the best way to have your teeth fixed and this is important! There is nothing like your own teeth! They wake you up when it is over! Honestly, I have just been this past Saturday and I didn't feel or see a thing!

It is the only way I will go. The only thing with this is to be sure that you are getting a "board certified anethesiologist" dentist. Someone who has been trained and did practice for a long time, not a weekend course.

I think it is the best way to go!

Good luck!

My husband had such a fear of dentists that he let his teeth go. When I finally got him to my dentist, he was surprised how much dentistry had changed since he was young. Dentists now want patients to come back, so they make the experience as pleasant as possible. There are also new tools and techniques that make the job quick and relatively painless.