i think i have cavities.  havent had any since i was 10, & i'm now 47..do they still poke your mouth with a hundred needles in an attempt to give you a numbing agent which dont work?!!  

i'm scared of what to expect...can anyone tell me??  



Last edited by dudbubbin on Wed Jan 24, 2007 12:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

Hey, DubDubbin. GOOD NEWS. I, too, was terrified of needing a filling after not needing dental work other than cleaning for some 30 years. My memories were filled w/the horrible ache in my gums I had for several days afterwards dental work. (I found out years later it was a sensitivity to Novacaine that caused that ache for so long).

Fortunately, I had a great dentist. He didn't make me feel like a fool or a wusp and suggested we try a little NO. That didn't work, I panicked in the chair, even w/the NO. So, he rescheduled my appointment for another time, telling me he would order a special non-allergenic "number". (Whether he really did or just wanted me to have time to calm down and believe in a new "number" I don't know and don't care).

My next appointment he did suggest some NO again, then applied the surface number that they just rub on the gum. HEY, THAT STUFF WORKS. He gave me time to settle down a bit as even w/the NO I was still pretty up tight but not totally terrified. Then he injected the number for the dental work. I never even felt the needle!!! Altho I was up tight thru the entire procedure I honestly didn't feel anything except, of course, the sensation of his hand moving around in my mouth. Absolutely no discomfort even. AND, it turns out it is evidently only Novacaine I am sensitive to (the epinephrine or whatever that is in it) and so far the other 'caines I've not had a problem with.

(We realized my sensitivity to Novacaine when a hospital used a minute injection of Novacaine prior to setting IVs. I'd had plenty of blood draws and IVs w/no problems so why at this hospital was I having such a time? My arm would ache so bad I'd wanna cut it off, for hours after the IV set. Finally, third reset of an IV I watched, saw the extra injection w/the tiny tuberculin synringe and asked what that was. They said Novacaine to make the IV set less painful. I asked them NOT to do the Novacaine bit, just set the IV and never had another bit of pain or ache. This dental work was the first 'caine I'd had since realizing the Novacaine sensitivity).

So relax, maybe take a 1/2 a Xanax or the like if you have some or your doctor will give you one and get that dental work done. That new stuff they put on your gums prior to the injection and the injection itself are a piece of cake nowdays!!! Honest injun.


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I have horrible memories of the dentist as a child.  My parents made sure we went to the dentist on a regular basis, but I was always terrified.  As an adult, because of my fear, I just stopped going.  I knew I had cavities and wanted to have my teeth cleaned, but just could not bring myself to go.  I made sure my kids went, but I would not go.  A few years ago, my daughter tried and new dentist and she absolutely loved him.  She persuaded me to go, saying he did not hurt her at all.  So after probably 20 years, I went.  I go on a regular basis now.  He was great.  I really like him, he was gentle and kind and funny.  I explained how nervous I was, I guess he could tell because I had a death grip on the chair as we were talking.  The whole office looked different, no more little spit bowl.....where was I going to spit?  Everything has changed.  The novacaine shot didn't hurt, they put some other numbing med on before they give you the shot.  My biggest fear was the drill, I hated the smell and the sound, but this drill was different, maybe slower, had a different sound, but at any rate it did not hurt.  As I said I go regularly now, even had a pain free root canal!!!!

As your friends and family to recommend someone they really like.  I think having confidence in your dentist means half the battle!  Make sure he/she is someone you click with and can talk through your fears with.  As I said, I do to the dentist regularly now, but I am still nervous, I don't know if that will ever go away, but my dentist knows that and is extremely gentle, tells me what he is going to do and how it will feel, so I'm not shocked if I feel pressure or a stick, etc.  

Good luck.  If you were in Jax, Fl, I'd send you his name and number.  I sure hope things work out for you.  Remember, if you start to panic, you are not a child anymore and you can stop the dentist and get up and walk out.  

mimi

Good point, Mimi. We "do" have the option of saying: Stop. I've had enough. And leaving.

I didn't have that option as a child. When I refused to let a dentist give me shot he actually tried putting ether or chloroform on his pocket hanky and hold it over my face. Which got him a finger bitten to the bone, you could see the bone, which gave me GREAT satisfaction once I got out the door and into my dad's arms. Fortunately, my dad sided w/me and we left! The dentist sent a bill for the stitches which my dad refused to pay. How's that for brass on the part of the dentist??!!

Dentistry has changed so much thru the years. And all for the good. Still, I recommend an oral surgeon rather than a regular dentist. Just for the option of the IV sedation if needed, even if you do get up the courage to try it w/just the number rub and 'caine injection. Knowing the IV sedation is available if you need it is reason enough to prefer an oral surgeon, that old Ace In The Hole card of reassurance.


_________________
Some people are like Slinkies... Not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs.
Resmed VPAP Auto. Humidaire 3i, Simplicity & Micro masks, ResScan 3.4, S8 ResLink, Embla oximeter.

Dentistry has come a long way.  It was awful in the '50s but now it's nothing to be worried about.  You should never feel any pain at the dentist's office any more.

Be sure to tell the dentist about your worries and I'm sure things will go fine.


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