whoo friends

[DJ873]

Went to the dentist, so successes, went, didnt freak out, BBUUTTT They wanted to do the whole cleaning thing and I told them all i signed on for for today was an xray of a bothersome tooth and my options. Later on the way out I learned my insurance is only preventative so whatever I choose is not covered. So a 250 extraction or 2500 root canal. Guess I pick extraction even that is going to be tough to come up with. So now, That is about an hour, I freaked out at the idea of just going in for an xray, how will i get through the extraction???? Soo I get a whoo whoo and still need advice ")

[DJ873]

love i t, printing and starting it today. i wa feeling like a deflated balloon so thanks i needed this :)

[jlroesner]

OK, first WHOO-WHOO!  I can not tell you how proud I am of you!  That was a huge step, just going!  Secondly, I had an idea, just an idea~but let me know what you think.  Do you think you could visualize the dentists office?  In your mind, can you see it like you saw it yesterday?  If you are having a hard time, check to see if your dentist has website with pictures of his office up.  OK, once you've got that ready in your mind, we'll move on to step two.  When you do relaxation or meditation is there any music you listen to?  Ambient Sounds, etc?  We want to find something auditory that you automatically associate with either comfort or relaxation.  Thirdly, find something tactile you associate with comfort.  For me, it's my comforter on my bed.  (Oh my, I guess that makes me 38 and I hae a blankie!?  What?!).  LOL.  Anyways...  what I want you to do is this.  We have to do a little exposure therapy and a little classical conditioning.  Do you have any cloves?  OK, bear with me.  Every DAY.  EVERYDAY, try to do some relaxation exercises with either that comfort music/sound playing in the background.  Boil some cloves in water (eugenol is the chemical most commonly used in dental products, that accounts for the smell of the dentist office - eugenol comes from clove oil).  That way you can smell the smell that you will be smelling in the dental office while you're safe at home and achieving the relaxation response.  Hold in your hand whatever brings you tactile comfort when you are doing the relaxation too.  So, we've got you doing relaxation while smelling the cloves, holding the blankie (or whatever) and hearing the music/sounds.  When you have achieved the relaxed state, in your mind start imagining yourself walking into the dentist office.  Just the front door.  No big deal, tell yourself, it's just the front door.  Or just go to the building, not even the door if the door makes you too anxious.  See yourself at the door, concentrate on that.  See yourself holding your tactile comfort.  Hear the music that is playing.  Imagine yourself totally at peace.  What would that look like?  How would your face look?  What are your hands doing?  etc.  And just stand there or sit there or however you imagine it to be.  If you start to feel anxious, reassure yourself like you would one of your kids.  Be extremely kind and loving to yourself.  If the anxiety doesn't back down a bit, take yourself back to comfort place away from the dental office.  Regroup, and keep going back.  I bet this can train your subconcious response to be positive.  When you are comfortable at the door, walk into the waiting room, then the hallway, then stand outside the treatment room and just look in.  See everything.  See the dentist.  See everything.  The only take one step inside the room.  Stop.  Regroup.  Relax.  Now, step in close to the chair, but don't touch it.  Stop. Regroup. Relax.  Now sit in the chair.  Just sit.  Stop and hear your music.  Feel your tactile comfort.  Inhale deeply and think of hot apple cider when you smell the cloves.  See yourself sitting up in that chair.  Calm and relaxed.  Pretend the chair is warm so your muscles go all warm and flowy (is that a word?).  They just melt into little puddles.  Everything is relaxed.  Now keep going.  Feel yourself being gently laid back.  In real life lay down on a bed and hang your head over the end.  It will feel the same.  Breathe.  Relax.  What do you feel?  Do you feel your tactile comfort?  Do you hear the good sounds?  Do you still smell hot apple cider?  Breathe.  Breathe.  Imagine yourself in that chair laying back until you can relax through it.  Do this every day.  Every day.  And I bet, I just bet, we can train your body to achieve the relaxation response automatically in the dental office!

[annalawny]

Going to the DDS at ALL is Huge.  I've had a several extractions, and have been both awake and asleep at varying time.  I have severe dental phobia.  One time when I was getting an extraction, I actually DID pound the chair and make for the door.  My oral surgeon, who knows me well, just patiently explained that it was anxiety causing the problem, and put an extra assistant on, whose function was to hold my hand during the procedure.  So I feel your pain.  Sounds like a tough day, but you'll Deal.  As others have said, talk to your DDS and explain your fears honestly.  He or she may suggest stragegies to help it go easier.  Good luck.  

[Alisonj29]

YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!! Good for you!!! As far as extractions I had three wisdom teeth that were impacted and they assumed were going to be very difficult. I chose to be awake for it as I dislike the "twilight" state. I swear to you I was shocked beyond believe... it literally took 2 minutes to get them out. The longest was waiting for the freezing. It will be much quicker than today and you did brilliant today!
This was not a baby step girl, it was huge. Congratulations!!!!

[DJ873]

today they wanted to do the cleaning and all but i said not this trip. I know i need to get ok with that but i am taking the just getting in the door and in the chair today as a success :) I have been pretty agoraphobic for several months now so I'm taking each baby step as a victory

[erin626]

I had two teeth extracted within 6 months and one was a wisdom tooth. I was scared..had a panic attack in the waiting room but it was a breeze. The xrays took longer than the actual extraction. The extractions took 3 minutes tops and then it was over.

You can do it! Talk to your dentist about your anxiety beforehand too. They are used to dealing with anxiety over dental procedures and can help you feel more comfortable.

You can do it!

[nursegirl6572]

First of all, way to go....you already accomplished a lot!

Secondly...the extraction will go sooo quick you'll be amazed.  It literally takes longer to wait to be numb after the novocaine.  Seriously, you're not going to be in there much longer than an xray consultation.

Rich above explained it perfectly.  Painless procedure with the numbing, just some pulling (non-painful) and some weird icky sounding noises (cuz your ears are connected and all..lol)

You will be SO pleasantly surprised, and if you're in pain now....RELIEVED once the tooth is out.  A little soreness for a day or two.  I never needed more than Motrin and Tylenol...and once had 3 in one day.  YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!  You'll be fine.  Come back here so we can celebrate!

Good luck!

[DJ873]

it isn't the extraction so much as the time trapped in the chair, i have severe anxiety so even to walk in the door was a very big step for me. I have a mental film of jumping out of the chair and running out the door stuff in my mouth or not. I get crazy anticipatory anxiety and put myself thru hell

[Rich99]

The area surrounding the extraction is so numbed up from a local anesthetic that you only feel some pressure and absolutely NO PAIN.     I've been through this several times.     Hours after the extraction you may feel soreness which can be treated with tylenol or whatever the dentist prescribes.