Kid 2 and I are going to the dentist for a routine cleaning in about 2 hours. Kid 2 has severe dental anxiety. She has not slept last night. She is over at our house, and so far Charlie the Frenchie is laying on her lap for emotional support, and Nykie, Kid 1’s dog, has tried to put her toy into Kid 2’s mouth to help with the emotional distress. No assurances from Kid 1, who actually worked as a certified dental assistant, are able to alleviate Kid 2’s anxiety.
Dear BDH, please think calming thoughts for us today so we can get through this appointment. I am counting on you.
I don’t know what Kid2’s experiences have been to be left with nasty dental anxiety, but I’ll share my experience.
I’ve had trouble with extreme dental anxiety. One day I was thinking about it and realized that if I adult up and can, no matter how much I may I dread it, call and make an appointment, drive to the office, get out of the car, go sign in, go sit in the chair, and take my injection – then I was not afraid of the dentist. However, after I took that injection I would start shaking so bad the instruments waiting on the tray would rattle. I discussed this discovery with my dentist and it turns out the standard dental anesthetic injection contains epinephrine that acts as a vasoconstrictor to make the injection last longer and to reduce bleeding. I am hypersensitive to epinephrine. The solution was a plain lidocaine injection with no epinephrine.
Something about the sound and buzz of the sonic scaler causes me anxiety. The solution is that the dental hygenist cleans my teeth the old fashioned way.
Since I’ve had some truly bad dental experiences, the third thing that triggers my anxiety is the discovery that my new dentist has hands better suited to being a car mechanic. No cure for that one but to find another dentist.
YES!! I had a similar reaction when I went on an empty stomach. I have since learned to ask for the unleaded shot. Scary AF when it happens. All to save some $$ on the actual lidocaine volume. 🙁
I hope it goes well! Sending good vibes out to your kiddo ????❤????
Ahh, I’m too late. I hope all went well.
As someone who was traumatized by 70s Russian dentistry as a child, I (literally) feel her pain. This too shall pass Kiddo.
I wish dentists could give out Versed ahead of time. I have terrible dental phobia and had to go for a tooth extraction (after much hell, it couldn’t be saved) and I didn’t think I could get myself to walk into the room. My dentist gave me Versed at some point because I was so anxious and it doesn’t make you sleepy (well, that dosage didn’t), but it really made you just not care. I remember hearing awful noises and feeling some tugging and thought, “huh, they’re hammering in my mouth. I should be worried about that.” And then floating off to other thoughts. Best. Thing. Ever.
Now if I could just give them to give it to me a couple of hours before I have to leave to go, I’d be set.
Much peaceful thoughts for Kid 2. She is not alone.
I work in a dental lab as a dental ceramist for 22 years and I still have anxiety before cleaning. I had mine three weeks ago and also didn’t sleep all night. All I can say is ‘ I feel ya sister’
Valium before, nitrous during. I was completely traumatized by my childhood dentist. Didn’t go to the dentist for 15 years. Now I am great with it.
Positive thoughts your way~~~~~~~~~
Dear Kid 2,
You are awesome for defying your anxiety to take care of yourself. I hope they gave you an “I AM A BADA$$” sticker because you earned it.
My kid 1 has severe “white coat syndrome “ for dentist. Our dentist is a personal friend so she is really good with her and she understands it is a very real thing.
OHMMMMMMMMM
My husband has been my dentist for ten years, has amazing bedside manner and gentle hands, and I STILL have to take medication before my appointments. There’s something innately terrifying about having someone physically inside you’re head
I know it’s over but I really hope it was ok and she is doing well.
I sympathize with Kid 2. Dental stuff is NOT fun.
Yet another suggestion. Ask if they can leave the x-ray apron on during your whole appointment. The weight can help you relax (like a weighted blanket). It has helped me.
You guys get an apron ????? We just get “hold this” and then the technician steps out of the room lol
Yes!! I had some work done at a periodontist in the ’90’s, and his nurse suggested that for me. It really helped!
When I had LASIK a few years ago, they gave me half a valium. (apparently it wasn’t enough because I kept saying “ow ow ow” about the thing that forces your eyelids open) – and then they gave me the other half.
I decided right then and there that valium was the best drug ever invented and the next time a dentist had to stick a drill in my mouth, I would demand one or two.
I would rather get 15 pap smears than a dental cleaning. But I am terrified of more fillings and crowns, so I go religiously. If AwesomeKid has anxiety over this one activity, consider medicating for the visits.
Sign me,
Advice provider who was not solicited
Aw, that’s a really tough one. I hope it went better than expected for Kid 2. The only method I find that works is to focus on my breath and just keep coming back to it.
You have amazingly supportive pets; so intuitive.
Sending peace and love ????
I may be too late but sending positive and calming thoughts to Kid2. Hope it all goes well for her. ::hugs::
Hope all went well. That anxiety is no joke. Blessings
Dear Kid #2 –
Many, many hugs!! ????????????
Post appointment, maybe some tea and a nap. That helps me. ????????????????
Thinking peaceful thoughts. While I don’t have any problems visiting the dentist, I always look forward to “rewarding” myself with sushi when the visit is over. I hope you have something to look forward to when the appointment is done ????
I use humor to deflect anxiety and one favorite story of mine involved a sleepwalking incident on my 16th birthday (oh so many years ago). My birthday is very close to Christmas and naturally all my friends were away for the holidays. My cousin was the only person who could make it and she has the flu (yeah yeah it was the 1990). Anyway, we were camping in the living room in sleeping bags. She spent the night complaining of how hot she was (poor girl was feverish). I fell asleep with that running through my head because I tried all these things to help her feel better and be more comfortable. So. The next morning I am regaled with the story of how I woke her up in the middle of the night. I was standing over her, gently wafting the blanket over her crooning “Cool breeze…. Cool breeze…. FEEL THE OCEAN WAAAAAVVVVEEESSS…” For full effect it’s important to deliver this in a droning monotone (because I was sleepwalking) and to draw out the last word like a complete freak. Never fails us for a laugh.
I don’t talk to me about dentists, went the other week for a routine checkup and needed a small filling, 12 injections later! My mouth, tongue were numb but not the bloody tooth that needed a filling.
Sending calming thoughts from a cold but sunny Christchurch!!
Dear Kid2,
I feel u honey. I’m right there with u. You are so brave to even walk thru the door of the office. I get so scared, I can’t even make an appointment. I know I’m such a coward, but it is such an overwhelming fear for me. I wish you well, and I hope you have a positive result. God speed!
I hope it went ok. I almost passed out at my last dentist trip. Totally get it.
Sending virtual valium
Clonazepam solves these problems for me.
My tip is to book the appointment for as early in the morning as they offer. I know I’m going to be anxious until it’s over, so I’d rather not wait until later in the day.
Sending gentle cyber huggles and calming prayers to Kid 2.
I’m hoping the appointments went well. I’ve shared that anxiety.
Sending zen thoughts to Kid 2. I’ve been there too and this will pass. Treat yourself to a home facial afterwards.
When I go to a dentist I tell them up front that I have anxiety about dental work. The ones I’ve gone to have been really good. Some will let you watch videos or select the music in the room to listen to. It helps. Hope Kid 2 is okay
I am happy to flow the calming, loving thoughts, and warmest regards to you. Also to help with the after trembles, which I used to get. Warm bath, and soft music, perhaps a nice cup of tea. And of course, streams of love.
Cleanings are not the problem for me, it’s the drill…..
I put off having three of my teeth capped because of it.
Finally after two to three years of putting it off I broke down and decided to have one tooth a year done.
I finished the second last year and it turned out to be the last due to the third not being as bad as they had previously thought ( thank-the-Lord for small mercy’s)
I make sure to brush and floss every day, anything to avoid a cavity.
I hope it went okay! I want to validate how intense anxiety can be and how difficult it can be to alleviate. I’m glad she was surrounded by so much support and love.
Renpho Eye Massager. My dentist has the dental version of this. It’s amazing.
Alternatively: it’s a crazy drive for you, but Harmony Dental Wellness on Spicewood Springs Rd.
Sending thoughts of cute puppies and fluffy kittens your way.
Sending calming thoughts. I have mild dental anxiety and find that having a familiar audiobooks playing in my EarPods helps a little
With the time difference I’m really hoping that the appointment has now arrived/has passed and that Kid 2 is fine now and finally able to relax after what sounds like the worst wait ????????
I hope all went well.
Oh poor Kid 2. I can so relate. If my wonderful dentist in Austin
Hadn’t retired I would send you there. I had a dreadful dentist as a little girl and it took 10 years as an adult before I could force myself to find a dentist.
Sending both of you lots of love and calming thoughts.
Tell her to wiggle her toes through her time in the chair. It doesn’t help the before anxiety but really helps when you are in the chair. Sounds silly but it works great for me.
I went to the dentist today. I cried. The stress & anxiety is getting to me so much more as I get older which is unfortunate as I have a lot of work (dental + orthodontics + maxillofacial surgery) coming up in the next two years. Next visit I plan on taking a relaxant!
I sympathize! When I was young my mother finally after several tries to get me to the dentist. I was Nauseous and\ or throwing up or dry-heaving. She put a pan of water in the car with me and went to the dentist.
Know the anxiety of going to the dentist (I absolutely hate it) so sending good thoughts that kid2 to make it through
I have dental anxiety. Nothing has made it go away, but what has made the experience better is a dentist who understands.
She lets me call time out breaks whenever I need it, and the assistant often holds my hand while I cry & gives me tissues. They don’t try to convince me that I shouldn’t upset, they just accept how I feel and offer kindness & support.
But the time you read this, the appointments will be over. But I dread going to the dentist b/c I have a very sensitive gag reflex and the tabs used for the x-rays make me throw up every time.
But I discovered a dentist that practices sedation dentistry. They gave me a prescription that reduced my anxiety & made sleepy. They then gave me IV sedation. I drifted off and they got to work on me. When I woke up, everything was done. It is hands down the best dental experience I have ever had.
It was more expensive than a normal dentist visit for me b/c it was out of my insurance network. But it was worth every penny.
Many calming thoughts. Kid you are not alone in the anxiety. You are braver than many people realize to do something so scary. Like a dental adverse superhero.
I feel Kid 2’s pain
Dental anxiety is very real and very detached from anything that resembles reality. Our youngest son experiences it, in spite of being very rational (PhD in applied math), possessed of considerable physical courage (served as a paratrooper during army service), and having a very close friend, from the age of 5, who is a dentist (and no, I’m not making any of this up). Sending calm and good wishes. Please let us know how things went.