(scroll down if you just wanna read the guide)
Hello, my loves! I know the blog is a bit quiet now, but I promise it will get better! I will try to make at least one post per day, and if I do more posts, that will be a bonus. Haha!
Apparently I had an appointment at the dentist today. So I had to rush to the bus after I discovered the text message (apparently I had read it before, but it had completely gone out of my head).
I was in time thought! Luckily the bus wasn’t late and this time I almost ran to the dentist. lol!
I walked in just my socks when I went to the dentist. Many people were looking at me, but like I have said before, I dislike wearing shoes and socks during summers, but due to the fact I have diabetes, I must wear at least socks.
The visit went well! I have a phobia of the dentist, but the woman I had today was super careful and gentle. Which is very appreciated! She told me every step, and I am going back on September 10th to talk to another dentist about a mouth guard for the teeth.
My jaw locks up (which the woman felt today and got scared when I “cracked” it back) and I explained to her that it happens often plus I get so much pain in my jaw and up towards head so she recommended a mouth guard but first I had to do an evaluation and see what they say.
Hopefully I can get one but honestly, im scared of it.
Reason? Because I had one before when I was 16 or something. Had it on one night, and the day after I woke up completely deaf in my right ear. We also had to use forks to get the mouth guard off because it was so darn tight and awful to try to get off.
That’s why I am scared of getting a new one. What if I wake up deaf again? I don’t know how to read lips or how to do sign language.
Has that ever happened to you or anyone you know? Maybe not using a mouth guard, but all of a sudden became deaf.
I was deaf for a month, and it was so horrible. Today I have sound reduction (is that the word?), and I am sensitive to loud noises/sounds. It’s pretty hard for me to go to public places, for example, when there’s a lot going on.
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How to Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist: A Step-by-Step Guide
For me to get over the fear of going to the dentist is a challenge.
- Do not cancel the appointment!
- When you meet your dentist it is very IMPORTANT to let them know why you are scared
- Talk to your dentist and come up with an agreement on how the visit will go. Want the dentist to explain every step? Or you want the dentist to just do the work and be quiet?
- Work out together with a sign for them to stop if it becomes too much for you
- Remember to BREATHE! Deep breathing!
- Music (or if you prefer audiobooks or podcast!)! If that doesn’t work, listen to music! They are very accepting for a patient to listen to music in headphones / ear buds while being there.
- Sunglasses! I know this one is weird but trust me on this. I ALWAYS wear sunglasses on at the dentist to make it more “calm”. No harsh lights and you can actually close your eyes and just listen to the music/podcast/audio book
If this doesn’t help you and ease up the tension and feelings when visiting the dentist. You can always ask for “relative analgesia,” which is the name of “happy gas.”
You can also take some sort of medication that helps you with the anxiety and helps you to remain calm.
You can also plan in advance with your dentist about your fear, how you react, etc., and come up with a plan to maybe go under anesthesia when visiting. Sure, that has to happen at the hospital, though. (My son went under anesthesia when he had to go to the dentist and let them have a real checkup).
PRACTICE! Make a plan with your dentist to visit them every 3 months or so to practice and work on your fear. (My son goes twice a year to get used to going to the dentist and to train on how it works, what happens, etc). They are not impossible.
Always have a conversation with them. Be honest. Ask for tips, tricks, and ideas.
Good luck! And remember, there’s nothing wrong with being scared of the dentist. Many are!