Dental anxiety

[Fallin77]

Does anyone else have problems going to the dentist because they are afraid they will have a panic attack?

[kenster1]

quite the opposite with me always find myself laughing even in the middle of getting work done.

[Agora1 in reply to kenster1]

Happy Gas kenster?? Or a Funny Dentist?? We need

to know your secret xx

[kenster1 in reply to Agora1]

not sure why Agora just always struggle to hold in the giggles wasn`t as bad a few weeks ago mind you.

[Agora1 in reply to kenster1]

Don't knock it kenster. That's better than the alternative *crying

[kenster1 in reply to Agora1]

yeah any more teeth out and I will be.

[Agora1 in reply to kenster1]

I hear you my friend. My sweet tooth is taking a beating with

my Chocolate craze xx

[Elliott_Edith]

Absolutely! You have to push yourself. Knowing that you are doing it for your dental health. Just remember - it will be ok 🤍 your mind is playing tricks on you.And don't be afraid to tell the dentist that you are anxious, I'm sure they will understand. It's ok. You will be ok.

[Fallin77 in reply to Elliott_Edith]

Thank you!

[Agora1]

Hi Fallin77 the fear of possibly having a panic attack while at the dentist

has to do with feeling trapped in that chair until procedure is over.

Ways to help conquer this thought is to let the dentist know about your anxiety,

have them use Plain Carbo as anesthetic (doesn't agitate our stress response),

bring along earbuds and listen to a calming tape and finally tell the dentist at

the beginning that you want to know when he's half way done as well as the

final stretch. You'd be surprised in how this relieves that "not knowing" feeling

immensely. (have used that with MRI/CT Scan as well) Basically anywhere you

may feel trapped. It helps. xx

[Fallin77 in reply to Agora1]

Yes, you are right...I'm panicked about being in the chair and not being able to get up. I am trying to work up the courage though. Thank you for your response!

[Konspiracy]

I’m terrified of the dentist as I have social anxiety but nowadays dentists understand that patients fear dental surgery & most of them go out of their way to help those patients who are anxious of dental treatment.

[Fallin77 in reply to Konspiracy]

Yes, I'm pretty worried about it but hopefully I can find a dentist who will have some understanding of what I am feeling. Thank you!

[Redpanda5]

I have a couple of practical suggestions

When I know I am going to enter a situation where I will fear having a panic attack I take a B1 vitamin (500mg) about 45 minutes ahead of time. It removes the physical reaction of a panic attack. When I tried it I couldn’t believe how well it worked. I began to experience the panic thoughts but my body didn’t respond to them so in turn it calmed me from having an attack. Vitamin B1 doesn’t build up in the body and flushes out what it doesn’t need. I have found this to be the most effective remedy against panic attacks.

The second most helpful thing I have found is to make sure I have food in my stomach.

Lastly, I have found that slightly opening my jaw (with my mouth still closed) releases tension.

I genuinely hope you try a host of things to see what works best for you. Panic attacks are so awful.

[Fallin77 in reply to Redpanda5]

Hi Redpanda5, I will certainly give your suggestions a try since other things I have tried haven't worked. I'm an anxious person so I don't want to deal with it so I keep putting it off. I know I just have to face my fear. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.