Fear of Dentist

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And you're older than 6? That strikes me as incredibly immature. But then I'm a big meanie.

You sound like the immature one here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I avoided the dentist for 15 years, all because when I was young (prior to elementary school) I had an abcessed tooth. Our local dentist removed it, and I would wake up with blood all over my pillow and face at night because the wound kept opening up. Then I got sores inside my mouth because he had used unsanitary dental tools. When my mom complained (this was back in the 70s) about the persistent bleeding, he told her not to give me anything to eat or drink for a few days to give it a chance to heal.

Of course she didn't follow that advice, and brought me to an oral surgeon who took one look at my mouth and fixed me up for free (needed 3 stitches in the empty socket and a spacer to leave room for the adult tooth to come years later, as it was a molar).

Anyway . . . .fast forward to my 20s. Needed to go to a dentist and was terrified. At that time, I called 1800 Dentist and asked for the name of a dentist who specializes in fearful patients. They sent me to my current one, and she has been absolutely FABULOUS. Adore her.

I imagine these days you can probably just google a dentist who knows how to deal with fearful patients. Many in this area offer sedation dentistry. Good luck to you, and you can get through it! Maybe bring an ipod, so you can listen to music during the procedure.

Could you share the name of your dentist please? I haven't been in 5+ years.

[Anonymous]

Ditto on the Olga Fonseca recommendation for a root canal. She's great and gentle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And you're older than 6? That strikes me as incredibly immature. But then I'm a big meanie.

Well you are just a terrible person. Why would you judge a person who is already 1) in pain, and 2) very fearful and embarrassed because of the situation. Do you kick puppies and laugh at little children when they fall? Grow a heart.

[Anonymous]

I was in the same boat, so I went to Bethesda Sedation Dentistry--they totally fucked me over and screwed up a crown. So don't go there. Lots of pain and so much god damn money.

Go to a regular dentist and have them prescribe a Xanax for b/f any procedure. You'll need to have some drive you to and from the appointment. Check the health forum for a dentist recommendation.

[Anonymous]

I went 30 years with no dental anxiety whatsoever and then had a bad dental experience that left me with massive fears. The mean PP has just been lucky enough not to experience that yet. Bless her heart. (Southern for FU). Anyway I found a regular dentist who used nitrous oxide and used that for some needed work. OMG TRY IT. It made the time fly by and I got over my fears. I still don't love going to the dentist but I tolerate it fine, and since the initial work I had done have not had to use nitrous. In fact I had some pretty major work done without the usual sedatives or even nitrous because I was nursing a newborn and I was fine with just novocaine and relaxation music.

[Anonymous]

I had a healthy fear of the dentist, for almost 10 years.

Then I found a good family practice in Bowie, father/son team. So far so good.

[Anonymous]

Sure - her name is Suzanne Williams. She has a private practice in Alexandria.

[Anonymous]

I never had a fear of the dentist until a traumatic experience in my early 30s. Now I have a fear. My fear is all about not being able to swallow/feeling like I'm choking during dental procedures. Especially bad is when they have to take molds where your mouth has to stay open and you can't swallow otherwise the material feels like it's going down your throat or it can't get saliva on it. That is the worst part of the dentist for me. I can handle the needles/drill ok.

[Anonymous]

OP, I had the same experience and it had been 4 years since my last trip to the dentist. But I knew I had a cavity and really needed to go. Based on recommendations on DCUM, I went to see Dr. Dwight Mueller in Rockville (Wintergreen Plaza). Things that impressed me about Dr. Mueller:

--He's extremely gentle
--He is non-judgmental-- he didn't say a word to me about my poor dental appointment history, didn't lecture me about flossing, none of that.
--He does the cleaning himself, and like I said above, is very, very gentle.
--He is friendly and has great stories to talk about while he's working on you. He told me all about his family and just seemed like a wonderful guy.

I had to get a cavity filled and it was pretty extensive. The procedure took an hour. But he couldn't have been kinder and I knew he wouldn't hurt me. I felt so much better after I went, and I have scheduled a 6 month checkup.

It would be a bit of a trek for you from DC, but he is worth it! I promise it won't be as bad as you fear.

[Anonymous]

OP, where are you located? I really love Dr. Peter Michael in Chevy Chase. Very kind and gentle man. Also takes insurance.

[Anonymous]

OP here-- thanks to those of you with supportive advice.

To the others, I'm amazed at the vitriol for an honest, vulnerable question.

I've made a random dentist apt for three weeks from now, until that point, any additional suggestions for dentists in downtown DC (Metlife insurance covered plus) that are accommodating for dental fear are greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- thanks to those of you with supportive advice.

To the others, I'm amazed at the vitriol for an honest, vulnerable question.

I've made a random dentist apt for three weeks from now, until that point, any additional suggestions for dentists in downtown DC (Metlife insurance covered plus) that are accommodating for dental fear are greatly appreciated.

Get a prescriptions for ativan and take one before your appointment. I think dentists can even prescribe this in advance but your doctor certainly can. I used to have a bad fear of flying and started taking an ativan before flights. Not only did it help but the experience of flying without my usual anxiety desensitized me so that I can now fly much more comfortably even when I don't take an ativan. For something very specific that doesn't happen very often, medication like that can really be helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here-- thanks to those of you with supportive advice.

To the others, I'm amazed at the vitriol for an honest, vulnerable question.

I've made a random dentist apt for three weeks from now, until that point, any additional suggestions for dentists in downtown DC (Metlife insurance covered plus) that are accommodating for dental fear are greatly appreciated.

Good for you, OP. I'm the PP who posted above about my similar experience and great dentist in Rockville.
If I were you, I'd call the receptionist at your new dentist's office and explain that you are extremely apprehensive. I think dentists deal with this all the time, and a good dentist should be able to help ease your fears. Maybe they will give you something to help you relax, or maybe they have specific things they do to help fearful patients.
If the receptionist blows off your concern, I'd call a different dentist.

[Anonymous]

You need a dentist who does light sedation. He/she will give you Valium the night before your appointment and the day of. You will also be given nitrous oxide during your dental procedure. Look on Angie's List to find a good

Also I would avoid a dentist who takes HMO's or other crappy insurance. Most dentists who are really good are fee for service.

Good luck!