Dentist worries

[guineaash]

I found out last week during a routine cleaning that the enamel is chipped on one of my molars is chipped and I have to get a filling. The filling doesn't scare me at all.. but does anything touch the back of your throat or anything during the procedure? I'm very worried.. what exactly is a dental dam?? I don't know what part of the mouth it covers.. Does it come anywhere near the back of your mouth?? Any advice, or information from past experiences, would be very helpful! Thanks!

[sheri-baby]

I've had a dental dam when I had root canal..it's like this rubber sheet thingy that covers the opening in your mouth, to keep germs out..it doesn't touch the back of your throat or make you gag...your jaw just aches from it being open so long..good luck!


Sheri

[jesskali]

I've had a dental dam also. It is really a great thing since it keeps all of the nasty stuff from getting in the back of your mouth.

Over the last year I have had 2 root canals, one crown, and 5 fillings. I have 2 more fillings that need to be done. When I had the fillings, nothing touched the back of my mouth and I didn't gag at all. And, trust me, I'm a gagger! When he was filling my two back teeth, the filling did taste pretty bad, but I didn't gag.

When I had my root canals, I did gag a little when they did the x-rays because the teeth were so far back in my mouth.

If you're just having a filling, then you should be fine. I hate going to the dentist and I'm always so anxious when I go even for just a cleaning! Hope everything goes well for you!

Jess

[SimplyMe]

Jess, you saound liek you have teeth like mine (will post elswhere later)


Anyhow, Guineaash, I agree w/ the others. Also, talk to your dentist, you don't even completely have to say about emet if you dont' want you can say you feel it's hard to breathe and it freaks you out, if he could just be extra careful. Also the dental dam FREAKED me out the first time I saw it but it really isnt' bad at all. My dentist even cut it a little so it would fit better. And in spite of all my worrying (4 root canals, 5 crowns (one didn't take) a few cavities, x-rays etc) I haven't ever gagged from any of it. Maybe you could bring a headset and listen to soem music and it will be done before you know it! Good luck!

[yenn]

I used to fear the dentist for the same reason. I used to eat four packs of Polos a day at one point to settle my stomach and I rot my teeth because I wasn't seeing a dentist. Then the time came when I was getting abcesses so big my face swelled and things like that so I went to my Dad's dentist who took me on. My first appointment I sat in the chair in floods of tears because I was so worried about what he'd have to do and if it'd make me gag. He even had to sedate me the first four or five times I went (he was doing extractions and there was no way I was staying awake!!) but now I can go and I'm fine and he's done root canals and things and it doesn't bother me at all. (Except the cost [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img])

[jesskali]

Simplyme--Yeah, I've had a lot of work done to my teeth lately. I went for about 4 years without seeing a dentist because my previoius workplace had no dental insurance. Well, I'm definitely paying for it now! If I had went for my regular cleanings, I probably would not have had all this stuff going on.

Jess

[bexcelica]

dental dams arent bad... what ive foudn that works, i used to gag
whenever they would make impressions when i had braces that gunk they
put in your mouth to make a mold of your teeth used to make me gag.
then the nurse told me to breathe through my nose. dont breathe through
your mouth and you wont gag at all. it really works

[sillygirl]

Bexcelica - I remember that too! That was the worst! I used to make them make the stuff extra thick so it wouldn't run down as much. YOu are right though, breathing through your nose did help, as well as counting down the seconds until you could take it out (I think it was a minute).

[ontariogirl]

I was petrified of dentists at the age of 39 but I got over that fear. What helps is the dentist, the dentist that I found I understood me and was so good. If the dam bothers you than tell him. I had the impressions done and they didn't gag me, the dam gave me some problem only because I can't stand the smell of latex, some people are allergic to it. Thank god he doesn't use latex gloves which helped so much. I think you will be fine. If you find yourself becoming anxious just tell him.

[ChippedAway]

Most dentists and doctors arelatex-free now. Thanksfully, cause I'm allergic!