Man, I hate dentists!

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Sorry, I hope this isn't too OT, but I had to have an emergency appointment this AM. Lost a crown that had been on for 3 years.
That whole office building was nightmarish for me. No individual rooms, several proceedures going on at the same time. Which I heard, each & everyone. But I didn't have too many problems until they had to remove excess cement from between my teeth.
Well, I have over-developed jaw muscles, which means I can close my mouth like a steel trap, but I cannot open it wide. Oh boy..
Came close to having a bloody meltdown. Fortunately no, I did not.
But my teeth & jaws are aching like crazy.
Sorry for the rant, but feel like venting.

Sincerely,
Matthew
PS. The lighting was REALLY bad for any AS person also..

Well, I though about disclosing my ASD, but since no "official" dx yet, I decided against it.
But the structure of that place was just one big oppurtunity for sensory overload. Really stressful!
When I had to have that molar root-canaled, I had to be sedated. Heck, I need to have mine clean too. Probably will have to be sedated for that. My teeth & gums are so da**ed sensitive, plus that jaw issue turns into a major battle every time. (Should have asked for the gas! ).
I need a quiet, contained room too!

Sincerely,
Matt

Sedation dentistry takes care of that problem. Going to have to insist on it I guess.
Other problem is I'm not sure my jaws & lips were actually DOING what the girls ( they were female at least..)asked. My face is not always obedient. Don't know if that is an aspie "thing" or what.
That bright light needs to go! I have transition lenses on my glasses but even they weren't enough. My eyes are VERY sensitive to light..

Matthew

If you have problems holding your mouth open most dentists have rubber wedges they can put in your mouth to hold it open. My technique is to ask for one of those then close my eyes and try to put my mind somewhere else until it is over. It isn't perfect but it helps.

By the way, if the dentist tells you to raise your hand if it hurts they don't mean you to raise it like you are in school and smack them on the head

I hate dentists.

Several years ago I had to go and get some teeth pulled. The dentists themselves were nice and I suppose I didn't really have any horrible experiences but I hate leaning back in the chair and having someone mess around in my mouth.

I've never even had a filling or had my teeth cleaned.

Oh, they used that block, all right. Only chance to get anything done in my mouth. But my lips also were not obeying commands from my brain. Hard to describe, but every time I was asked to relax them, I think they would close.
I think the real problem (aside from my muscle/facial issues) here is this place is set up to handle several patients at once, with more than one dentist working..
I kept my eyes closed as much as possible. I usually do at a dentist. Helped a little..

Matthew

I find it sad that people use the term 'I hate dentists' instead of 'I hate dental work'. Most dentists are nice people and do the best they can. I read that dentist have a high rate of suicide, probably cause no one really likes to see them.
I think part of the dental experience is that it is a personal experience in the sense that no one else in the world puts their hands in your mouth (except babies for a bit). (not even my husband) so it becomes a physical contact we don't have much experience with as well as the feeling of having your personal space invaded.

I use relaxation techniques, and will push myself to face my fears.
Take a mp3 player with you helps too.
There is sedation dentistry and I saw one that is a dental/spa where you get foot massages while on the table.

I go to a pediatric dentist who also specializes in adults with special needs (the same dentist I've been going to since I was a child). I hate the smells and the sounds of dental work and the psychical sensation of having the work done (especially sanding, polishing and drilling). My dentists and the hygienists know I'm really sensitive and they're really patient with me.

Hmm, yes it does sound a bit harsh when you put it that way.
I hate dental work sounds more accurate. And this "cattle-call" office is no great shakes either... If they hadn't put the crown on in the first place, I would NOT have gone to them..
And I got charged for their work coming undone. Hmmpphh!

Sincerely,
Matthew

I'm probably the only person on earth that doesn't mind going to dentists, the only bad thing about it is the fact I need to keep my mouth open all the time and that it just wastes precious time aka the waiting.

I have a very warm and nice dentist that likes to sing and hum and be goofy to distract you while he works. And he is FAST! and good. which is great because I have had a filling or three in nearly every tooth in my mouth over the course of a year or so, plus 3x year cleanings. No sedation ever because of mindful breathing and this wonderful dentist. Before him I couldn't go to the dentist either and I went for around 6 years without even a cleaning.

Now I have braces on, just got them put on monday, clear uppers, metal lowers, and a bite plate! which is HORRIBLE! piece of plastic stuck to the roof of my mouth making it impossible to chew anything or close my mouth all the way.... Orthodontics make dentistry look pleasant in comparison.

I told the orthodontists' helper about my Asperger's because when she put me in the chair I went back only to stare directly into the overhead florescent light plus the exam light. So she pulled out some shades for me to wear! How cool is that... so there I was with my shades on, eyes closed, getting all this crap put into my mouth. Not bad.

So, relaxing + shades + breathing exercises (like counting your breath or deep breathing) work for me. Since you are sedated for procedures, just ask for some shades or wear darker transistions.

I once had to be fully anesthetized for the dentist to perform his dental work on my teeth (I was transferred to a hospital for this). I was a child and I couldn't stand the sensations and feelings of any dental procedures. I would have to be tied down since I would cry and kick,...lash out.
To this day, I don't like this procedures. Even being locally anesthetized is not enough for me....the dumbness and the dumb feeling of movements......
I can't describe it but all those things hurt me in a way or maybe some of those things are in my mind but it's difficult all the same.

I was a difficult patient as a child. My mother stopped bringing me to the dentist when I was 7 because of that and because we couldn't afford it. I remember being sedated for things at the dentist and I remember throwing up at the dentist.

When I was older and needed some teeth pulled at first they talked about sedating me and doing them all at once but then they ended up doing them one per visit with no sedation. They didn't even so much as offer me a valium and it was very stressful for me.

I actually have one that should probably be pulled right now but I don't want to go through all that with calling for appointments and paying for cabs and they usually don't do anything the first time you go if you haven't been there in a while.

The time I did end up going I had to go because the pain was so bad. I also learned I hate pain pills with codeine. If the pain is really bad it just takes the edge off, if it manages to make the pain go away it makes me feel sick.