• Replies 3 replies
  • Subscribers 25 subscribers
  • Views 855 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

Dental appointment

bristolvr3

Hello everyone.

I have a routine dental appointment at my local dental practice in Felixstowe, Suffolk, on the afternoon of Thursday 9th January. I find dental appointments really scary and nerve-wracking at times because I always fear that the dentist might spot one tiny thing wrong with one of my teeth, which might require specialist cleaning or even a filling by the hygienist.

Fortunately, my dental record has been fine. As of January 2014, I am 32 years old, and have only had two fillings in that time, which isn't too bad. In recent years, my dental record has been fine. I have been brushing my teeth thoroughly, every morning and every evening. I have also been using the very best available toothbrush for brushing between teeth, although I use dental floss for the really tight gum areas that some toothbrushes cannot access.

I have found my dental practice rather uncomfortable. The main entrance isn't exactly wide, or even particularly wheelchair friendly. Although there are sufficient seats in the reception area, I find waiting ages for my dentist's availability agonising. I just want my appointment over and done with, so I can go home immediately. When he or she is available, I have to go up some really narrow stairs, which I find difficult to climb or descend due to my size 12 feet (I am 6 feet 5 inches tall as well), meaning I end up going up or down in a sideways movement. 

If my dentist says my teeth require attention, I groan in frustration. Even if nothing is wrong, I should be happy, but I still feel sad in a way. As I am on benefits, my dental appointment won't cost me anything. My mum has had her teeth cleaned out at the same dental practice today (Monday 6th January), and I believe that that cost her £50. Maybe that's just me recovering from a nervous, stressful experience, but there you go.

What are your experiences of dental appointments?

Parents

  • I can cope with them fine, except the things they put in your mouth for x-rays because I have a very sensitive gag reflex and when they have to take impressions as that has made me violently heave when the cement ran down the back of my throat.

    I was never apprehensive of dentists until one decided that rather than send me to hospital to have my wisdom teeth out, he would do them over two appointments in the practice.  It was hell.  My face was so swollen and yellow from bruising I had to stay home for a couple of days.  The socket also started pouring with blood whilst walking down the street a week following extraction and I had to go back in for an emergency appointment to get some sponge stuff in the socket.  It took him an hour to get one tooth out and he drilled through the middle of it and extracted it in parts.  When the drill went in the anaesthetic hadn't fully worked and my reflex meant I almost hit the dentist.

    I don't mind going for check-ups but am always wary of any work needing doing.  There are plenty of neurotypicals who are dentist-phobic.

Reply

  • I can cope with them fine, except the things they put in your mouth for x-rays because I have a very sensitive gag reflex and when they have to take impressions as that has made me violently heave when the cement ran down the back of my throat.

    I was never apprehensive of dentists until one decided that rather than send me to hospital to have my wisdom teeth out, he would do them over two appointments in the practice.  It was hell.  My face was so swollen and yellow from bruising I had to stay home for a couple of days.  The socket also started pouring with blood whilst walking down the street a week following extraction and I had to go back in for an emergency appointment to get some sponge stuff in the socket.  It took him an hour to get one tooth out and he drilled through the middle of it and extracted it in parts.  When the drill went in the anaesthetic hadn't fully worked and my reflex meant I almost hit the dentist.

    I don't mind going for check-ups but am always wary of any work needing doing.  There are plenty of neurotypicals who are dentist-phobic.

Children
No Data