Scared of the dentist?

i am so scared of the dentist, i wen for an emergency app. and i wudnt let him do n e think, then i went agen an he took my tooth out, which didnt hurt a bit, but im still scared. i went again and had them cleaned, and then i fainted. i went again and wouldnt let him do anything because i was so scared, then i went again today, and had a panic attack, and he had 2 stick a bag on my face, and yet again i didnt let him do n e think. i am ashamed of my fear, but im so scared. i think in my head it will be over in half an hour, but when i get up there i cant control myself, i just get so scared. im only 13, and i realise i have to have it done, otherwise ill have no teeth left by the time im 18, but i just freeze up when i get in the chair, i dont know what to do

Scared of the dentist?
Get your mum or a friend to go with you. Talk to the dentist and ask if there's anything they can do to help.


If you've already gotten a tooth pulled, then you've already been really brave. Cleanings can be pretty nasty too - so you were brilliant to endure that!


I think if you think relaxing thoughts, agree with the dentist that any time you raise your hand you want him to stop for a minute, and bring an ipod or mp3 player to blast out music all the time, you'll get through it.


The more often you go, the more comfortable you'll feel. Many grown-ups aren't thrilled to go to the dentist, but you do get used to it!


Go and good luck!
Reply:You have to do it unless you want bad teeth, that would hurt a lot more.
Reply:You need to go to a dentist that specialises in nervous paitients. Look up some dentists near you and ask if they specialise in the area.
Reply:i really feel for you. its indescribable isnt it. i had exactly the same thing. only i went to the extreme and had all my teeth taken out under a general anesthetic. personally its the best thing i had done but you are to young for that, find a dentist that is sympathetic to your phobia. make an appointment to just go and sit in the chair at first to chat to make you feel a little more comfortable. increase the interaction each time you go. it'll be worth it. nothing is like your own teeth and you need to look after them but you know this already, concentrate on your breathing whilst in the surgery, possibly take some headphones so you cant hear any drill noises if that is part of the problem. i know some dentists offer mild sedation as a anesthetic so it mite be worth looking into that, good luck.
Reply:I think your scared of how you might react to your fear, rather than the fear itself. You have proved that you can have treatment done, and most people are nervous when thay have treatment, but what you have to realise is that once your adrenaline reaches a high point, it cant go any higher and has to go back down again, and you feel relaxed again, breathing techniques can help this happen faster, by concentrating on breathing deeply in through the nose and out again slowly can help. Also, you need to remember that your in safe hands, nothing bad can happen to you, its just not a very nice experience, but its usually over quite quiclkey.


Try your best to look after your teeth, dont eat sugar and brush really well, then you'll need less treatment, if any in the future.xxx
Reply:u share the same feelings as me


i am 13 also and i have really bad teeth he will take mine out too and put braces in i and scared they will hurt





why are u ashamed everybody has a secret fear


well urs isn't a secret anymore!


but dont be ashamed


tell a friend or a family member with u
Reply:You are doing really well so far, and your dentist obviously is patient with you otherwise they would have suggested you go somewhere else. You have gone back despite your fears and seem to be building up trust so stick with them. Take someone who cares with you for support. You could try learning deep breathing/relaxation exercises (to avoid you getting to the paper bag stage). You will probably find how to on here somewhere, or get your doctor to refer you for some specialist help. Don't be ashamed; there are many people who are as afraid as you, and who just have rotten teeth rather than trying to overcome their fears so be proud of yourself for getting that far. Good luck.
Reply:Hi Demi,


i understand your feelings. i'm a mom of three and my difficult time was not the dentist but............don't laugh, but giving birth. i realised that it is the lack of control over my body, you may be panicking because a lack of control in that particular situation. you've proven that you can handle the pain, and the sounds of the dentist. giving birth is a little different then getting some dental work done.........i'm committed to having a baby :) so i had to learn really fast how to cope. like so many have already said, breathing-controlled breathing, in/out nose. visualisation-eyes closed, picture in your head great teeth, it allows your brain to see the pay off of having to be there, it's your reward and finally......someone or something to squeeze........when i had difficult moments during my labour squeezing a hand allowed that energy to escape......instead of my hole body wanting to escape. and so this all goes back to control. allow yourself the control to direct the negative energy into someones hand or an object. i had two more after the first, so it does get better. and later on in life if a baby is in your future, well you'll be great. all the best!
Reply:Maybe you should try hypnotherapy.
Reply:I know exactly what you are going through.


Do what i have done and get your dentist to refer you to a sedation clinic.


They give you a medication which makes you dead relaxed and the best thing is, you don't remember a thing about the treatment.
Reply:Just remember you are not alone. Most people hate going to the dentist and some are worse than others. I am terried (although not quite as bad as you) my dentist could feel my pulse racing when I was having my tooth out. I can't quite explain what I am scared of because it doesn't hurt much and it is over within seconds, but I do get very scared.


The more you have to go the more you will get used to it. I am 16 and have had to go regularly to the dentist lately as I am having braces put in. Every single time I go I feel that little bit more confident. There really is nothing to worry about!!
Reply:hi. im also thirteen, and i had my permanent first molar pulled off 3 months ago. [the result of being scared of the dentist for 13 years] i was scared like crazy, but i put in mind that its not the end of the world. this will end too. i was in good hands, and it will be for the better. "the only things to be scared of is fear itself"





oh yeah, im having another permanent molar pulled of this april. haha. im not that scared anymore. i promise, its not that bad...





just pray and leave it all to Him. are you catholic?


anyway...





good luck...
Reply:Well I think you're really brave actually going in, I've been trying to make an appointment for 18 years
Reply:I would certainly be scared if I thought he was cleaning his nails and ears out with his dental tools. I refer of course to that rather insane muppet who was recently struck off for doing just that.
Reply:I'm 47 love and scared of the dentist quite a lot of people have phobia over the dentist so your not alone .when i go even if its a check up i have to have a mild sedative to calm me down the dentist gives me this and it helps you could try asking for this but if they changed the smell and you never heard the drill it might not be so frightening will it but you never know they might do that one day but ask about a calming tablet they might give you one next time if you let them know how worried you are .
Reply:i not scared of nothing