The Dentist: Sensory Hell

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I'm having every one of my teeth removed in an operation in two weeks, in favour of implants/screw-ins. They're at that point. Terrified yes. Asked for vampire fangs, yes.

personally, i do not mind the dentist so much. Sure. all the noise, the invasive drills etc
all are extremely unpleasant etc.

but at these problems are predictable and you can perhaps take a valium or something before going to calm your nerves.

This is different to unexpected sounds which you will often find in the street.
These things you can not psyche yourself or prepare yourself for. And not much can be done if you live in a city or town full of people and noise.

Wearing ear plugs generally isn't the answer either for everyone, such as for people as myself.
As i am hyper vigilant and do not want my hearing obstructed.
I think that the only cure is to move somewhere that is slower, where there is less sound.

I nearly have a panic attack every time I go to the Dentist. The scraping sounds and things in my mouth and the icky taste of the gloves and shiny lights [though sunglasses help]. What really sends me over the edge is getting a filling, especially when they put this mask thing over my face, and combined with having my mouth open so much, I feel like I'm suffocating and can barely breathe. *shudder* The actual dentists are very nice, though. Just writing all of that out makes me feel better.

I'm terrified of the dentist. I went 5 years ago and had my first filling. Before that it was 12 or so years since my previous visit.

I hate going to the dentist, I haven't been to a dentist in 20 years.

Yep. I go to a more sympathetic dentist and even then it's too much. The noise, people touching me, and especially the smell. I have a very weak sense of smell but the dentist's office is so overpowering that even without laughing gas I feel lightheaded. It's a mix of mouthwash and a Yankee Candle store.

However, it's very important to find a way to get through it. Going to the dentist every six months can do a lot for your health. You can catch problems before they become irreversible, which means it's cheaper and less painful. Listening to music can help drown out the sound of the instruments. Sunglasses can make lights more bearable. Having something you can fidget with in your hands helps as well, such as a stress ball or a keychain. Eventually, you can desensitize yourself enough to make it through the appointment. Please don't neglect your health. As bad as a routine checkup is, a root canal or other major surgery is worse.

If you can, request laughing gas for fillings. I wouldn't do it for normal cleanings unless you really think you need it. It still sucks especially if you hate mind altering substances, and when it's leaving your system you can feel really cold and you immediately have to pee, but it's better than having a panic attack during a delicate surgery.

If the problem is an uncaring dentist, find a new dentist.

Dentists are specialists, like ENT doctors, gynecologists, dermatologists, optometrists, etc. A lot of people visit these specialists just as regularly as they visit general doctors. It's generally recommended you visit every six months a general doctor for basic stuff and to narrow down a health problem to a specific specialist, a dentist to keep the mouth healthy because infections in the mouth can easily spread to the brain or interfere with eating, and an optometrist because humans rely on sight more than any other sense and also eyes are linked directly to the brain. Depending on your specific needs, you may need to see other specialists just as regularly.

The health of your mouth is as important as the health of any other part of your body, and dental treatments are just as scientific as any other accepted medical treatment.

I'm sorry this turned into a lecture. I avoided the dentist for years because of a bad experience and sorely (literally) regretted it. Don't neglect your health, please.