rwbeagles-Dentist...it looks like I need to go

I go 2x a year and have most of my adult life. I used to be a dental asst and saw what happened to people who didn't get regular check-ups. Dentistry has come a long ways and you really shouldn't have a painful experience these days. Find someone you like (ask around) and let him/her know your feelings.  Have you ever tried Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas)?  Many people find that it makes it a pretty pleasant experience. Don't procrastinate though or you'll end up needing extensive (and expensive) treatments and that'll just reinforce your feelings of dread

Oh I ALWAYS need root canals...always. That procedure actually doesn't bother me. I have a high pain threshhold. I just HATE being there while people fumble around inside my mouth. Then they try to TALK to you...jeeze....it's JUST like the beauty salon. Just do what I came here for and then I can go home lol. The novocaine is lame too....always have rubbermouth afterwards...

Then there's the whole "we're only doing xrays today....I'll tell you about the ten things you need done then we'll do one each over the course of months." Yeah...I'm here, you're here...do the worst 5 now why dontcha?

Procrastinate? Oh it's beyond that....I haven't been for over 4 years...when I had my abcess surgery...yeah that was fun. That wasn't even anythig to do with cavities, but a root canal on a busted tooth I had done as a teen that wasn't done all the way...it abcessed above the gumline. My teeth always look great...but they're full of holes I am sure lol. My Dh has bad gums genetically tho...but has never had a cavity, and has to get that under the gum cleaning...yeah...I'll take the filling every time over that!

oh yeah...if you have old fillings those are supposed to be replaced right? Old as in done in my teens and now I'm 30something.

You make me laugh Gina, but I agree with you. The worst part about a root canal is sitting in that chair forEVER! I hated assisting with them too . Failed root canals aren't common but they're not super uncommon either and when they flair up, it's not pretty, so I feel for ya. I had to have the same perio surgery as your husband and I hope to not have to go thru that again - blech!  As for old fillings needing to be replaced, it really depends. Sometimes they start to "leak" and that's when you get cavities developing below or around the filling and it can be quite a surprise when they take the old one out and find what's below it - ugh!  The dentists I worked with were usually happy to do more than just one tooth at a time. We usually scheduled the work in quadrants and would do all that was needed in each quadrant at one visit.  Having more than one quadrant numbed up is not fun, so most people don't want it, but you might be able to talk a dentist into it if you smile really nice

teehee....thanks for the input Cathy. I have matching pains upon cold foods touching my teeth on both sides right behind my canines...bleah. That's the main reason I'm going in. It takes like 45mins to go away when it flares up. New deal....never used to have sensitive teeth. I figured it was a cavity but the fact that it's on both sides in identical places...who knows!

I'm a mess! lol....

Well, it's pretty common for sinus problems to cause that same type of sensation. You don't have to have a sinus infection either, just swelling/inflammation in the sinus cavity can cause it. Hopefully the dentist will rule that out, especially if they can't find anything wrong with the teeth. The first thing they'll probably do (as you already know) is take a bunch of x-rays, and sometimes those can show the sinus cavity and if there's anything going on there. 

 I feel SO much better knowning that there are people who don't like the dentist as much as I don't!  My husband is constantly nagging and wheedling with me to try to get me to go to the dentist.  My fear and trepidation is too intense, and I can't seem to make myself go.  The worst part is I NEED to go.  All four of my wisdom teeth have cut through, but they're pushing my teeth out of line.  Beyond that, the dentist (when I went, 1.5 years ago), told me they were particularly weak, as one of them has already cracked in half.  Argh!! I'm trying to muster my courage to go, because I know the longer I wait, the worse it's getting.  But the dentist is just...:::shudder:::.  Anything dental just creeps me out.  Perhaps we'll make a pact Gina, to commit to going soon?

Infiniti

Perhaps we'll make a pact Gina, to commit to going soon?

I'm going week of Dec 10th as DH has the week off...so the ball's in your court now lol!

Yikes!  Why did you have to remind me that I really, really need to make an appointment?  I've been a bit lax with that for the past few months.  My dentist is amazing, though.  He has such a gentle touch that you don't even feel the novocaine needle go in - and he's always apologizing for "nips" and "pinches" that you never feel.  The man is totally wasted on dentistry.  He most definitely should have become a gyno.

Joyce

You know, Gina, I have always felt the same way as you, until now.  I hadn't been to the dentist for years because I hated them, everytime I went it was soooo painful and I felt the same way, I would almost rather by in the gyno chair.  It's a shame, isn't it?  My two oldest daughters needed braces (a long while back) and at the orthodontist office they also had a regular family dentist.  My two daughters saw her and my husband, I would ask them "did it hurt?"  They all were like "no", and I was like "REALLY??"  Don't just tell me that.  But my husband was encouraging me to see her, it really didn't hurt.  But I didn't trust him!   He never seemed to have a problem w/ a dentist.  So, then I had Emily and I took her to a local dentist.  I asked her the same thing "did it hurt?"  she said "no".  Really?  So, I finally made an appointment, because a piece of my tooth had actually broken off (from those old time fillings), and IT DIDN'T HURT!!!  I was amazed to say the least!  I've been going to her now, for years and it never hurts!!!  She is the best.  She'll even ask you "does that hurt?"  Sorry if I'm hurting you, are you ok?  It's like, WOW!  She cares!  So, now I go every 6mos. for my cleanings, and have a ball talking w/ the ladies there, found that the receptionist boats at a marina, we always go to for dinner, it's really a pleasant experience.  You just need to find that right dentist, they're out there! 

Don't get all your teeth pulled, you don't sound like your old enough for that!  Unless your teeth are all rotten, but I would try to keep them for as long as possible.

I hate it too. I try to be good and make the appointment every 6 months, but I generally panic and cancel it when I see it on the callender coming up soon.

I also prefer the gyno. At least she is quick and doesn't try to talk to me while she is doing her thing, lol. The last time I was at the dentist I had wisdom teeth removed and a route canal so you can bet I'm not looking forward to going again soon.

When my grandmother was about 60 she decided she never wanted to go to the dentist again. She went one more time, and had every tooth ranked from her head and permanent false ones put in right on top of the bare nerves. She was the "novacaine is a waste of money" type so she had it done with no pain killers. I can't even imagine the pain she was in, but she never again went to the dentist.

Oh INNNFINITI!!

I set my appt for the 11th...that's NEXT WEEK! Have you set yours yet? C'mon now...be brave!

pier pressure!! pier pressure!!

i'm actually looking in the phone book now thanks to you guys lol