Dentist dun dun dunnn

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I once threw up on a dentist whilst he was taking an impression of my mouth with dental stuff. It touched the back of my throat and triggered my gag reflex.

More recently I had a debate with a dentist over paleolithic nutrition, the possibility of infection returning and how best to prevent that.,

I avoid dentists when possible.

Had an horrible one as a kid. Since old enough, that my parents could no longer physically force me to go there, I did not visit dentists for about 17 years,

I became then an hurting teeth, and asked people for recommendations of good dentists. The one I visited offered as well to knock you out, so I was a bit calmed, because if it got too much, she simply could knock me out.

Had to pay something extra, for some extraneedles and extra painkillers, and I was horrible scare, but it went ok. So it was not great, but at least no pain or blodd or knows hell what. (I got two fillings. Dentist was pretty impressed, because when she heard I had not visited one for 17 years, she thought my tooth would be ruins.)

Because of it being included in my health insurance, the doctor recommended to go for my regular checks, that I can do every 6 months, so that I become used to visiting her and sitting in the chair with her fumbling around in my mouth.

I think it helped pretty much too calm me down and not always link visiting a dentist with negative thoughts. So removal of my wisdom teeth went ok. (So I was scared and a bit excited, but 5 years ago, you could not have done that without knocking me out.)

Was absolutely terrified of dentists as a kid, but I suppose i'm lucky in the fact that the dentists I go to is great and i've never really had any bad experiences at all and as i've got older i've realised there's nothing to be scared of. Going in for a filling in 3 days and not worried in the slightest.

Still terrified of dental hospitals however, was once sent there so I could go under general anaesthetic to have teeth removed as a kid and even though it actually went great, I still get really anxious even being close to the place where I had it done and hope I never have to go back.

I never thought of it like that, but that is exactly what it feels like. Not that I've ever been abducted by aliens.

I had 10 years of braces followed by my face being taken apart and put back together. That's enough for one lifetime.

I also pick the skin off my lips due to dermatillomania, so I don't enjoy having my lips stretched too much. And my jaw pops back and forth. Does anyone else have to use those weird things to pull your lips and cheeks out of the way for pictures? I've had to do that at the ortho.

I feel kind of bad replying since for some reason or another, I've never had to have a cavity filled, an appliance put in, or anything. However, when I was younger, there was some anxiety surrounding the dentist, because what if he did find something wrong, even though I always brushed my teeth as thoroughly as I could? Also, I didn't like the light that shone in my eyes, so I'd either ask for sunglasses or keep them closed the whole time. However, the folks who work at my dentist's office are really nice, and they engage me in conversation, and my dentist also works as a photographer and has lots of different photos on his wall, which are nice to look at.

Even though my experiences at the dentist have never been that bad, I do have at least a few suggestions that might be helpful for the OP.

- If you have a coping item (favorite book, small toy, stuffed animal, etc) bring it in with you

- Ask if you can wear sunglasses or have a cloth put over your eyes when they make you sit far back and shine a light in your face and mouth

- Talk with the dentist or assistant about your special interests or favorite things - that might help take your mind off anything that's going on

- Choose a "focal point" from somewhere in the room and try to "get lost" inside it (this sort of goes back to the photographs my dentist has hanging on his walls)

- Have a loved one come in and let you hold their hand, or read to you

- Ask if they can keep that weighted apron that they use for x-rays on you during the rest of the process - I love that weighted apron; it's a good source of sensory input.

Hope some of these help!

Visiting the dentist has never worried me. The only reason why I don't like going is because it's so expensive to pay if they find anything that needs seeing to (once I knew someone who had to pay over 200 pound to have a tooth pulled out, like what the f**k??) Otherwise, it has never bothered me. Most other people go on and on about how much they dread going to the dentist all the time for the same reasons as the OP.

I cant stand going to the dentist. The whole experience is usually horrible! Just reading the last couple post had made me tense. And it really does feel like what I imagine an alien abduction would be like.

The last time I ended up having a full blown panic attack! The way the dentist and assistant looked at me at the end was really awful.

There are two things that I have found helpful though;

I started meditating (paying attention to only my breath and letting all other thoughts drift away) while getting cleanings and I actually kinda enjoy them now.

I had one dentist who did a root canal on me and I told him right off the bat that I get anxious. He talked about every single thing that he was doing, and warned me about the noise of each instrument before putting it in my mouth. Even if he had mentioned a tool earlier in the procedure he would mention it again when it came up. This was EXTREMELY helpful. The procedure went by with no problems and I was only a little shaky at the end. I wish all dentist were like him.

Dentists hate me. I have a terrible, uncontrollable gag reflex, and I have bitten every single dentist who has ever worked in my mouth. I usually only go to the dentist when I have a serious toothache and need to have work done. I have had some pretty serious oral surgery in the last few years, and it hasn't been pleasant.

I couldn't tolerate flossing as a kid (and poor oral hygiene did not help my social life at school), but I've gotten over that.