I'm a wuss...

[BikingNurse]

Sorry. Remember to tell them no epinepherine. I find it easier to deal with the dentist's office when my heart it's going crazy and I'm not freezing to death.

[Crankin]

Pretend you are climbing a really big hill when you get the Novacaine. Breathe through your nose.
I have a little mouth, too. My dentist tried to use some new type of automatic plastic holder thing to keep my mouth open when I had my last filling replaced. I just about puked and started hyperventilating, until I told her to get that thing out of my mouth!

[nolemom]

I had some pretty horrific experiences as a child with an incompetent dentist and find it very hard to relax even though my current dentist is amazing. After a visit where I clutched the arms of the chair with a deathgrip, he recommended a low dose of valium. It does require someone pick me up after the procedure, but it is well worth it. Because I am more relaxed they can use less medication during the procedure. I only use the valium for fillings or crowns (luckily none lately). I have built up a great deal of trust with this dentist and now I don't have much anxiety for cleanings. It may be worth discussing with your dentist.

[Veronica]

I survived. My current dentist is really good and I hardly felt the shots.

I think a lot of my anxiety comes from bad childhood experiences.

Veronica

[badgercat]

Glad to hear it went ok!

[Tri Girl]

Glad it went OK.

I'm a bigger wuss because I haven't been to the dentist in 2 years because I absolutely am terrified of him (even tho he's quite nice and gentle).

[Blue_Fedora]

I know it can be scary. I had 14 root canals and 18 crowns so I'm all too familiar with what you were facing. I, too, have a very small mouth despite the fact that I'm rather talkative with those who know me

I had horrible experiences as a child and then as an adult just chose not to go for years and years. Luckily I didn't have any major problems but finally decided I wanted "perfect teeth" and would do what it took. Before the dentist would do the cosmetic work he had to deal with removing all those old mercury molar-fillings from my childhood... and unfortunately there just wasn't much left of the molars once that was done so they had to be crowned. It was a long haul but I'm living proof a true dental-phobic can come thru it on the other side

Glad it went well for you today and your anxiety was worse than the visit itself

[Zen]

I'm in a similar situation as Blue.
I've got a mouth full of crowns, three implants and a beautiful smile.
it took a long time and cost a lot of money but in my opinion, knowing you have a nice smile does a lot for self confidence.

And I'm now a devout WaterPik user.

[Blue_Fedora]

I'm in a similar situation as Blue.
I've got a mouth full of crowns, three implants and a beautiful smile.
it took a long time and cost a lot of money but in my opinion, knowing you have a nice smile does a lot for self confidence.

And I'm now a devout WaterPik user.

Similar, Zen... I'm a devout Sonicare user