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I'm trying not to let that happen. But my real confession is that I haven't been to the dentist since November 2008. And before that? I can't remember.
The only reason I went last time was because I had lost a filling. I'd been without it for approximately 8 months and was doing fine until I woke up one morning in excruciating pain. Pain that didn't go away. And still I put it off at least another week until anything cold or sweet put me in tears. That was not a fun time. The damage done by leaving a gaping hole in my tooth for 8 months almost landed me with a root canal. But it wasn't as close to the root as they originally thought so instead I ended up with a crown.
A crown that I'm having problems with. My gums look weird around it, but they have since I got it on. It's becoming sensitive again. I can't even fit floss around the crown without it getting stuck and feeling like it will pull the whole thing out. I've had to use small scissors to cut floss out before.
You know what else? 1 month after I got my crown, December 2008, I lost another filling on the other side. So I've had another gaping hole for 15 months now. It's never really bothered me but I know it needs fixed. It's starting to affect other things. My gums are receding in that area, exposing the root of the tooth in front of it. At least I'm assuming that's what's going on. It's extremely sensitive.
I need your encouragement, friends. I'm about 15 years away from the age both of my parents ended up with full dentures. I don't want that. It's not that we don't take care of them, we just have bad teeth. One trait I really wish I wouldn't have inherited.
But still, I'm scared enough that I know I could put it off for at least a few more months.
P.S. No lectures. I already know I'm causing more problems by waiting. Another reason for waiting is because we just recently got dental insurance so at least now I know I won't have to pay another $1,300 out of pocket. That still doesn't help the fear. I just want you to stand by me and hold my bloggy hand.
P.P.S. The Dentist himself has nothing to do with my fear. We're very happy with our choice of Dentist and even Princess, who previously shared my fear, can't wait to go back. He pulls out the "big guns" as he calls it and usually numbs you up to your ears because he does not want you to be uncomfortable. Just thought I'd add that in case you thought it was him. It's not. It's the smells, the noises, the fear of pain.
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You forgot to say, "But I floss every night!" :o)
I am with you. I am not a fan of the dentist(obviously, This isn't the encouraging part)
Go in and get it taken care of. Do you have a dentist you "like" or don't mind? I have been to LOTS of different dentists and I had one that i have considered driving from IL to ID to see. Not that the dentist didn't cause pain, but he and the office staff were so utterly FRIENDLY. They didn't give me a guilt trip about flossing or anything.
If I were you I would shop around. It is totally worth the effort to have a dentist that you like.
Good luck!!
Forgive what will totally be an annoying (in the sense that I know you wont want to hear this) comment. If you didn't leave the problems so long, the trips wouldn't be bad and then you wouldn't have anything to worry about! My BIL and SIL are dentists. And the sooner you catch a problem, the easier it is to fix. And, if you really, really hate the dentist, there are sedation dentists that can put you under during the procedures. I hear that helps a lot.
Personally, I don't have a super fear, but I can't stand to see the instruments, so I just lay there with my eyes closed! It's silly, but works for me.
Good luck!
Ace.... if you don't get that gaping hole fixed, you WILL have to have a root canal. Is that what you want? I didn't think so.
My dentist's office is set up like a spa. It is so relaxing. I havent been in a year though, so I ought to get cracking too.
AND, Ace. Think rotting, decaying smelly mouth. NO matter how much you brush your teeth, you'll have horrible breath until you get your teeth cleaned. So there. Liver spot on your hand, and rotting teeth? Dear, I don't think you want to be headed in that direction. So, go go go. Or the next time I smell something funny, I'm going to think it is your mouth from wayyyy over where you are to where I am on the west coast.
Hmmm yeah. I hope this helps, LOL :)
Dear Dear Ace...I am 1000% with you...as you know I am petrified of the dentist too. Before going in last year for my tooth problem which ended up needing root canal, gum surgery and crown I hadn't been to the dentist for about 5 years! What I did was I found a sedation dentist and found that after having the root canal and the gum surgery with the sedation I didn't need it for the rest...I began to trust him and felt so much more comfortable...
He also did something that no other dentist had ever done. He pulled me into his office and talked to me about my fears and one of them was that damn pick...he wrote in my file "no pick" and promised they wouldn't use it...
Now I have made a promise to myself to go in regularly for cleanings so I don't end up with the root canals and crowns...but it is still hard...I totally understand where you are coming from. I know you are worried about the money and sedation isn't usually covered under dental insurance...but it was 100% worth it to me...:) Take care..:)
I hate the dentist too...I had a root canal done and they broke off part of the file inside and closed it up, I got a terrible infection and it was HORRIBLE leaving me SCARED to death of the dentist...
I didn't go for several years myself until I HAD to and I found a dentist who I trusted and explained my fear to him...he was awesome, they do have that sedation, but it is more expenisve but maybe worth it!
good luck girlie!
My ex put that kind of thing off and he developed the foulest breath because of it. Really! If for no other reason than that you don't want people running away in terror, go for it and get it over with!
I agree 100%, no 150% + 23%. THere. I hate dentists too. Knew I liked you for a reason!
while i can't say i have the same petrified feeling you do when you think of going to the dentist, it definitely is NOT on my list of top 1,000 fun things to do.
i actually had to have a root canal done a couple years ago, and it was waaaayyyy better (is that possible) than i thought it was going to be. i had very little pain and kept wondering, "so when does 'horrible' start?" still, not a walk in the park by any means, but it wasn't as excruciating as everyone says it is. still, you'd probably be good to get it fixed before you get to that point. :)
I have very bad anxiety over the dentist. I even get anxious when I have to take my girls. I don't appreciate getting lectured when most of my issues are genetic. No matter how you answer a question it's wrong. That's even with my two favorite dentists whom I trusted and LOVED. I take meds on the way in, nitrous when I'm there and novacain like crazy! I understand waiting though. It's expensive, and for most of our marriage I haven't had insurance. Once again I'm having to wait because I'm pregnant and they won't touch them until I have the baby. Then I'll have to go in with a novel printed explaining that they CAN fix them and they CAN do this and that while I'm nursing. It's a hassle.
I'm 34, and I'm currently fighting with my dentist over pulling my tooth vs fixing it. My mom put almost $50,000.00 worth of work and redos and implants in her mouth to have them fall out. I am following in her footsteps and want to save some pain, grief and bucks. She doesn't want to do that. I don't like being confrontational and last time I was there I cried. It was silly, but she's a beautiful woman, leaning over me telling me how ugly I would be with my tooth gone.
Let us know what day your going... I'll hold your virtual hand! I understand wholeheartedly!!
I think that you and my husband are related! He did not do well with the dentist either and he needed thousands of dollars of work.
No lecture, just think happy thoughts when you are in the chair.
Good luck!
I hate going to the dentist! Two of my molars have been hurting for a year, every time I eat gummy candy. I know I have to go, but keep putting off making the call!
Good luck to you!
Okay,
So, I've been meaning to come and comment on this since I read it in my reader the day you posted it. I've been so, so busy and I've hardly opened my laptop.
So, I am in the exact same position as you. I could have written this story. Further, two fillings came out at least 6 months ago - maybe 9-12 months ago - and I'm so afraid to go get it taken care of. Partly, it would be so embarrassing for me to be seen and have them think I don't care about taking care of myself when really, I'm just a big baby. Second, I'm afraid it will hurt but I know that it probably won't. We have a great dentist. Third, I can't bring myself to spend any money on it at all.
I know I am making this worse so IF you go in and it goes well - try to encourage me to do it too. I'm scared.
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