Thursday, November 29, 2007

Fear of the Dentist

Reclining in the chair, listening to the easy rock music, opening my mouth so wide that I get lockjaw, scraping my sensitive teeth, shots of Novocain, dry lips, drilling my teeth, numbness in my mouth, finally, having to pay for this torture!

I've always hated going to the dentist. That's why it's so easy to say I'm just too busy to go. Before I got married, I had a great dentist. For being my least favorite thing in the world to do, he was at least very nice and very fast. After I got married, I decided to see my husband's dentist. OMG! He was actually mean! He was rude. He said I had a cavity on the back on my wisdom tooth, so I should just make an appointment to have all my wisdom teeth removed. What? Yah right! I went back to dentist #1. He looked at that cavity and told me no problem, it would just take a minute to fill. Thank You!

A few years went by. I still didn't see the dentist. With our new insurance plan, dentist #1 wasn't listed as a dentist I could see. Also new dentist #1 was more expensive. I decided to see a dentist from the plan. Terrible again. I was about 35 at the time, and this was the first time in my life that they made my gums bleed. I even took better care of my teeth. When they told me to spit, pure blood! So gross. I could taste it. I asked them why that happened, and they said most people's gums bleed at the dentist. OK, by!

A few years went by again. This time I chipped my front tooth. I actually got a headache thinking about just going back. What would they do? Is it going to hurt? Will it look bad? I didn't care about money this time. I had to see dentist #1. (Actually he did accept our insurance. We just had to pay whatever the insurance wouldn't cover.) He fixed my tooth super fast and was so positive! No problem. I love him!

I just went to dentist #1 today for a cleaning and two fillings. I still hate going. I get tense while they're working on me. When I was leaving, I was actually freezing and shaking from the stress! The one thing good that came out of this? My front tooth cracking forced me to go and made me realize that I'll never see another dentist again. I wouldn't care what it cost. I love my dentist! Please don't retire! He IS starting to get a little old. I don't know if I could ever go to the dentist again!

10 comments:

Rick said...

Your feelings are very common. If I were a dentist I think I might get depressed because nobody likes me.

http://organizeddoodles.blogspot.com/

Tammy said...

Thanks for visiting my blog! I too fear dentists and have had bad experiences, but I love the dentist I have now. She's awesome and does not hurt me! I can't even feel it when she gives me the numbing shot!!! I don't faint, tremble, etc., anymore just in anticipation of going. I still don't look forward to it at all, but I don't get so worked up anymore either.

Ice Cream said...

4 kids, a fear of dentists, and a love of ice cream... I'm so glad you found me!!! Thanks for visiting my blog. I can't wait to get to know you better.

Irene said...

I do agree, he is a great dentist, but I just a bill for the charges NOT covered by insurance...and now I am depressed! He IS expensive!!!

Scribbit said...

My uncle is my dentist which makes it nice, he's easy to talk to when you're nervous or uncomfortable. Though it's hard to tell him I hate his hygienist, talk about Attila the Hun.

Kitty said...

I think a fear of dentists is very common. I had a lovely old dentist - his name was Mr Collins. Unfortunately he died a while ago now - I'll never trust another one like I trusted him.

Take care :-)

Becky said...

LOL on "having to pay for this torture!"

Definitely maintain that relationship with Dentist #1 for however long you can. I had a similar thing happen with chiropractors. I only wish my beloved Chiropractor #1 was still in practice, as he retired. Chiropractor #2 was a lecherous, creepy guy I felt uncomfortable alone in the room with, and #3...I was afraid of him breaking my neck he was so un-gentle.

Anonymous said...

I hate going to the dentist too! It's boring as well.

Zoe said...

ugg you just gave me chills.

Anonymous said...

Okay, I need to know who your dentist is because I am the same way as you. I can find a million reasons to not go. The one I did finally go to died and he was was pretty nice. Maybe we should go together for support!!!