Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => Other Health Discussion => Topic started by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 09:53:14 AM

Title: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 09:53:14 AM
I have my first dental appt since covid today and I'm scared.
My appt was the week that dentists stopped seeing patients and my dentist when reopened only saw children and emergency patients. Last year they went private and I refused to pay that amount. I have always had good oral health and only went for 6month check up with a scale and polish, an xray every 2 yrs. The new private plan was 2 dental visits a year and 4 hygienists. Al ot of patients refused so they made a cheaper option of 2 dentists and 2 hygienists but I was still debating.
Been getting awful taste in my mouth and painful jaw and mouth, convinced myself it's burning mouth or tmj so thought I would bite the bullet and go get the dental plan.
A bit scared, which is weird as never have before but after 5yrs of no visits I'm worried I will need work done.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 10:57:31 AM
What's the worst that could happen other than it being painful?   Make a list of your worries and discuss with the Dentist B4 agreeing to any treatment.  Many are a lot more reassuring these days!

I don't buy into private plans, we pay as we go. 

Burning mouth: I may have said previously  :-\ : mayB due to sodium laurel sulphate in toothpaste.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 11:11:52 AM
Not sure of biggest fear, just anxiety playing up and someone being their close into my space as not used to it anymore.
I have changed toothpaste and started using sensodyne.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 12:12:59 PM
It's being 'back' in that chair  ::) but my dentist tells me to put a hand up when I want him to stop.

What times' the appt.?
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 12:16:59 PM
It always freaks me out they ask questions while poking and prodding my mouth lol.
Appt is 2.45. Away to grab some lunch then brush and floss
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 12:27:25 PM
Which doesn't enable us to form a sensible reply  ::)

Anticipatory anxiety is the PITS!  >:(.  Stops me doing a lot of what I would like to do  :'(

You'll be fine if u take That List ;-)
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: fiftyplus on December 03, 2024, 01:26:17 PM
I have my first dental appt since covid today and I'm scared.
My appt was the week that dentists stopped seeing patients and my dentist when reopened only saw children and emergency patients. Last year they went private and I refused to pay that amount. I have always had good oral health and only went for 6month check up with a scale and polish, an xray every 2 yrs. The new private plan was 2 dental visits a year and 4 hygienists. Al ot of patients refused so they made a cheaper option of 2 dentists and 2 hygienists but I was still debating.
Been getting awful taste in my mouth and painful jaw and mouth, convinced myself it's burning mouth or tmj so thought I would bite the bullet and go get the dental plan.
A bit scared, which is weird as never have before but after 5yrs of no visits I'm worried I will need work done.

Just let the dental staff/dentist know when you arrive how you are feeling and they will be extra careful with you, as they will probably just assume you are fine with your appointment unless you let them know otherwise.  You are not alone, a lot of people feel this way when attending the dentist.  I am sure you will be fine and I think it is the more the thought of what could happen which is worse than what actually happens.  God luck and let us know how you get on x
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 03:09:37 PM
Dentist was lovely. I filled in the email declaration about medications etc, and when I went in she said she could have written my declaration. She too is going through peri and getting blood tests as hrt not helping all her symptoms.
I got a check including jaw and neck, plus my xrays. All good, I need  1 filling and a scale and polish, booked in Jan 15th, she wrote him anxious.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 04:24:51 PM
Feet up now, cuppa T with a bar of chocolate  ;D

Any diagnosis about the painful/stiff jaw?
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on December 03, 2024, 05:15:48 PM
She says it not anything dental, coupd be the acid reflux? Or perimenopause? But I can go back to GP and say that dentist is happy
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: fiftyplus on December 03, 2024, 06:34:14 PM
And relax ... all done ... I bet you will sleep better tonight x
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 06:43:41 PM
I have a type of indigestion which begins around 3.30 a.m. in that my lower jaw, chin, up to the ears hurts with 'wind'.  No radiation of pain.  No pain down the arm.  It goes if I sip bottled sparkling water  :o ::).  Different to the indigestion that I get in the day ........ peas is known to wake me with the former wind!  I love peas I does  :-\

Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: SundayGirl on December 03, 2024, 06:58:53 PM
I love seeing my dental hygienist. I find it really relaxing and much better than a massage. 😁

OK OK  I know.  I'm weird.  8)
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on December 03, 2024, 07:02:32 PM
I love my dentist when I'm on the way out the door  ;D
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: Minicat on January 29, 2025, 12:14:57 PM
I avoided routine checkups for years due to some bad childhood experiences, and the first visit back felt so intimidating. What helped me was just being honest with the dentist about my nerves, they were super understanding and slowed everything down. It’s such a relief when the actual appointment isn’t as scary as you build it up in your head.

If you’re interested in dental care alongside other treatments, places like https://goodlife-clinic.com/ (https://goodlife-clinic.com/) offer a range of services in aesthetic and medical care. It’s always worth exploring options that focus on making clients feel supported and cared for.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: JS79 on February 01, 2025, 09:58:28 PM
Honesty definitely best policy
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: jillydoll on February 02, 2025, 05:40:39 PM
I’m very nervous at the dentist too.
Bad childhood experiences that have stayed with me.
I’m due Tuesday this week, and although I’ve been through an extraction, a crown fitted and seen the hygienist, all at the same dental practice , …..I’m still scared to death when I go.
Anticipating the appointment makes my anxiety through the roof, then when I leave and I’m in the car, I cry. A wimp I know, but I just can’t help it. …..🤷🏼‍♀️
If they play music or the radios on, I try to listen to that and pretend everything’s ok. Distraction works well.

Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: MrsMitch on February 02, 2025, 09:35:08 PM
There are so many of us with bad childhood experiences at the dentist, aren't there? It's such a shame because it affects you for life. I've only now got to the stage where I'm pretty relaxed with my dentist, but I've been going to her for about 5 years and she knows my history.
When I was 5 we had the NHS dentist visit school to do check ups on all the children who had started school that year. Every single one of us then had to go to his practice for fillings and I had 6! He did them all at once with no local anaesthetic and I can still remember the pain. I had no pain in them and they were obviously my 'milk' teeth so there was no need. My dentist told me they used to get paid per filling back then. He must have been making a fortune.
I imagine most of you must have had similar experiences so I really do feel for you.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: SundayGirl on February 03, 2025, 03:09:56 PM
It seems like everyone over a certain age has been to see a butcher dentist in the past.

I had a conversation with one of the (very young) dental nurses at our dentist several years ago and she was horrified at what used to happen.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on February 03, 2025, 04:00:43 PM
None of us are wimps!!!  Fear is a great controller.

My Dad wouldn't let his kids C the School dentist as we already had a regular surgery to attend every 6 months.  Even so more modern dentists have complained about the 'work' that both DH and I have had in the past as probably un-necessary because every time we joined a new practice: due to moving around the UK: 'jobs' were necessary. Apparently.  Because dental records don't travel with the patient even through the NHS.

Do tell the Dentist/Nurse that U R nervous. 
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: jillydoll on February 03, 2025, 04:32:21 PM
Oh yes, regular visits to the school dentist, horrified me.
I think my trauma was going to the dental hospital with my mom, I don’t know why I had to go, but I had teeth removed and I do remember waiting for the bus in town with all blood down my coat.
I also remember kicking the dentist off me at one point, what happened after that I don’t remember, or even how many teeth I had removed.
It all seems when I look back, almost medieval.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on February 03, 2025, 05:30:59 PM
It was.  That rubber Ether mask  :o  :o
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: getting_old on February 03, 2025, 05:54:30 PM
I was another who had a savage dentist. Didn't believe in anaesthetic (sp?), drilled randomly, even my tongue once so I bit him! All of my friends went to a nice dentist who did freeze gums, etc. but my mother (who refused to see the dentist herself) insisted I keep going to the horrible one, because he was "the best"  :'(
I did get another bad dentist about 10 years ago. My original dentist moved and I was transferred to someone else in the practice. As I left the visit with the bad dentist I paid the bill, then asked to move to another dentist within the practice. Think they were shocked but there was no way I was continuing with someone cruel when I was able to decide for myself.
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: jillydoll on February 03, 2025, 07:53:21 PM
It’s just appalling.
Were the ones left with the mental scares, wish I was more like my brother, he pulls his own teeth!  :bang:

Wish me luck for tomorrow, I’m there at 2pm.
I’m sure I need a filling too, 😱 ……OMG… 🤦🏼‍♀️
I’m dreading it!  :-\
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on February 03, 2025, 08:12:40 PM
Pulls his own teeth  :o ........

You'll be fine. Ask at the desk B4 going into the surgery what U have been booked in for. 
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: MrsMitch on February 04, 2025, 07:31:45 AM
I hops it all goes well. My husbands nephew pulls his own teeth, too 😬
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: getting_old on February 04, 2025, 04:01:44 PM
I don't blame some people for DIYing, as there's no difference if the dentist doesn't use anaesthetic!
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: jillydoll on February 04, 2025, 05:09:17 PM
Thanx.

It did. 🥵.  :party:
Just needed a clean and polish.
My anxiety was sky high, but I’ve survived.
Not due now until August.  Then the process starts again. 🤷🏼‍♀️
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on February 04, 2025, 05:30:03 PM
Did the dentist do the scale and polish?  Ours sends us to the Hygienist who is very good  8)

U can reward yourself with a chocolate for pudding jillydoll ;-). Is the cold better?
Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: jillydoll on February 05, 2025, 11:50:18 AM
Yes the dentist did a quick polish, I see the hygienist next visit after I’ve seen him first.
I rewarded myself with a coffee and two chocolate tea cakes. 😋😃
With all that anxiety, I was knackered last night.

Yes the cold has finally gone thanx. Still coughing now and then, BUT I now have an ear infection. ☹️
Using AB drops three times a day, didn’t get much sleep Monday night because of the pain, but today, it’s much better.
If it ain’t one thing, it’s another! 😤

Title: Re: Dental visit
Post by: CLKD on February 05, 2025, 12:46:33 PM
 :bighug:  I remember ear ache as a child.  And those awful nose drops that went with the GP advice  >:(

DH has survived his treatment this morning, whilst waiting I was reading a Girly novel which is LOL at times  ;D but had to keep lip tightly buttoned incase explainations were required  :D