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I have. Real tears.
And unfortunately, more than once.
I’ve never been crazy afraid of too many things. Actually I’m really only afraid, deathly afraid, of four things.
Heights, going to prison (yeah, that’s a weird one but it has kept me a prude all these years) and mice. Remind me to tell you about the time son and I stood on his bed for three hours until a neighbor came to our rescue and killed the biggest mouse I’ve ever seen. I think it was a man rat or something.
But as much as I’m afraid of those three things, there’s another one that tops the list.
Dentists.
I’ve physically thrown up before an appointment. Then there were the crying episodes. And paying extra at least a handful of times for the super painkiller stuff to make sure I didn’t feel a damn thing.
Each time I go to a new dentist for the first time, I sit with the hygienist and explain my issues. How I can’t bear to hear what they’re doing inside my mouth, so I have to have someone like Regis Philbin yelling in my headphones. The View also works nicely. Also, no one is allowed to talk to me, especially if they want to try and comfort me. Not going to work, so just save it.
And… I’d rather not hear stories of how I’ll be gumming my food at age 50 if I don’t book more appointments to sit in the flippin’ dentist chair.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve heard it all before.
And, they all know we need Kleenex on hand. Pay no attention when the tears start flowing, either, I tell them. Just let me cry.
Don’t you know they all think I’m a nutcase? Maybe I should start tipping the hygienist.
Now I fear my phobia and all my crazy dentist hang ups are going to cause my sons to be gumming their food at maybe 55, if they‘re lucky.
I can’t bear to take them to the dentist. Husband takes oldest (all through his braces, I only went to two appointments and I stayed in the waiting room). I’ll never forget how he saw me crying in the chair when he was just three and then I got scolded by the nurse for not setting a better example. Gee, a lecture, that’s just what I needed, lady.
As for youngest, he’s three and still no dentist appointment. I’ve been psyching myself up for the idea that I’ll take him. That I’ll put on the brave face and take him all by myself. Show him that the dentist office is no big deal and that it’s actually fun.
Who the hell am I kidding?
But time’s running out. Our pediatrician told us we need to make an appointment. Like now.
Maybe the fear of taking him is what’s causing the incredible pain in my back left tooth. I’m trying to appease it with high doses of Excedrin. Yet, that’s only going to work for so long, I fear.
Hey, I have an idea. Maybe youngest can go with me and hold my hand. Kind of like his brother had to do that time we stood on his bed for three hours because of a little -- make that, gigantic -- mouse.
I am right there with you. I have terrible teeth and probably more fillings than teeth at this point. Panic and tears every time. And DS is 2.5 and hasn't seen the dentist because I don't want to take him. :-( Have you tried a pediatric dentist? They are at least used to the tears, which helps. PM me if you'd like the name of mine. They are great and take adults now, too.But headphones help, right?! I discovered that last week. I had a filling replaced (doubly whammy -- taking out a filling and adding a new one!) but they let me whatch Notting Hill with headphones the whole time. So cool!You were fortunate to get a mere lecture from a nurse. When I was in kindergarten, my mother used to take me to a dentist who actually HIT ME. If I so much as whimpered, he would slap me and tell me he had three-year-olds who behaved better than me. I don't know what kind of childhood trauma scared you out of the dentist's chair, but I sure know what mine was! But the worst part is that not once did my mother ever intervene. I know I need to see a dentist soon, because I'm pretty sure I have a cavity in a molar, but I just haven't been able to summon up the courage to go. And it's been a while since I took my kids too. Does anyone blame me?I am terrified of the dentist too. I remember going when I was a child to dentist at the military hospital where my dad was stationed and I refused to open my mouth. My father was horrified at me but I could not. I don't know why. It has never gotten better. When I go, I use headphones, which helps some, but I don't go often enough. I have had to have teeth pulled because I don't go enough and there is no way I could survive a root canal. I will be toothless before I am 50 for sure.Whoa. These are some scary stories! Moosebane, the dentist actually HIT you? Yikes! Laura, did something like that happen to you when you were little? For the record, I didn't take my kids to the dentist until oldest was SEVEN and youngest was five. Yep. I did do the whole tour thing to get my oldest to see the office as not scary when she was three or four, but we moved shortly after that and I didn't find a dentist for awhile (avoidance!) If your son isn't having pain or anything, he's probably just fine. You can have a "getting to know you" visit and they'll let him sit in the chair, etc. and give him a prize or 2. Definitely get recommendations first. Don't sweat it yet, though.So glad to know I'm not the only one!!! I unfortunately had to have my wisdom teeth out earlier this month . . .I am one so glad that I went to the oral surgeon, two so glad I got all 4 done at once cause there is no chance in heck that I would go back again for more of that and three so glad that I was asleep for the whole thing and have been on really nice pain killers ever since! BTW my DS in 4 and I haven't been able to take him to the dentist yet . . .I am thinking that he is going to have to go with grandma and grandpa!Yes, I hate the dentist. Usually, on cleaning, I am pretty decent. But anything else, I can't stand it. I have learned to be brave when DD was old enough to go (2 yrs old) Even when the stupid cow cleaning my teeth scrapes my gums. I will take your advice and next time ask for ear phones or at least let me bring my Ipod with 80's stuff on it.I had one bad dentist experience as a kid. He clipped a piece of tissue between my upper lip and gum and didn't believe me that he didn't have it numb and that I could feel it and it hurt. But, I don't have problems with dentists now. Some your gals horror stories! YIKES!I hear you! I had to have an extraction and wanted my husband to hold my hand. Except he's much more squeamish than me. He would probably faint and cause a scene in the office. I always tell the hygenist to give me as much drugs as it's legally possible. Why they keep people waiting in a chair waiting for the oral surgeon is mystifying.i have 2 words for you jenkins & leblanc. take your kiddos to them. i am the same way about dentists and i was scared to death i was going to cause my kids to have the same fear but my kids pediatrician recommended and i swear, even if our dental insurance changes and they aren't covered i would still take them there. i keep meaning to beg them to see me too!
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