I’m 62 years old and have avoided going to the dentist for most of my life. From childhood, I have had a paralizing fear of dentists. I had an abusive mother who never took me to a dentist unless I was in excruciating pain.
Anyway, as an adult I have never been able to overcome that fear. Now I am compelled to make a visit and shall most likely need dentures. I’ve been searching dentist sites in my area but haven’t been able to find a dentist who professes his or her commitment to helping people like myself. I’m so despondent.
A few months ago one of my grandchildren asked me why I never smiled. It broke my heart. Thank you for receiving this email. I hope you know of someone in my area who can help me.
- Gail from Ohio
Gail,
Your reaction to receiving dental treatment is completely normal, considering the experiences you’ve been through. In my experience in trying to help people like you, the most effective way to overcome that fear is to have successful dental experiences using sedation dentistry. When you have the bad memories that you have had, I’ve really found that using sedative medications to help you get through the appointment is a very effective way to treat you comfortably. Oral sedation is simple, effective, and easy. You take a pill about an hour before your appointment, and ordinarily your memory of the appointment is either spotty or non-existent.
And then, once you have some successful dental experiences, you may be able to gradually overcome those fears and hopefully eventually not need any sedation.
Of course, if you end up needing dentures, you’ll just need to get through that treatment and then subsequent treatment shouldn’t be that difficult for you.
This blog sponsored by Colorado Springs Gentle Dentist Dr. Joseph Rota.
I did a search on the Internet to try to find a dentist that I believe would be sympathetic to your situation, would understand you, and be able to help you using a variety of techniques including possible oral sedation. I couldn’t find anyone in your neighborhood that I’d recommend, but I found a dentist the other side of the city. It’s about a 50-minute drive, so hopefully that will work for you. Her website is: __________. Check it out and see what you think.