General Chat

Oh Merry, you've triggered off my worst nightmare. I can't BEAR to listen to dentist stories when my friends start swapping their experiences - I just cringe and go very silent. When I was pregnant with my second child many decades ago, I had my upper teeth removed (dentist thought them too far gone to save) and it was all done under a general anaesthetic, with my gyneacologist there to hold my hand. Suited me just fine, 'cos it meant I didn't remember a thing. I could easily put up with sore gums for a bit. A few years back, I was talked into a major remodelling job on the lower teeth (crowns etc) and I was petrified. It really didn't hurt at all but I was so tense I developed a stiff jaw afterwards and had headaches. If I'd only been able to relax I'm sure there would have been little to complain about. I still go as seldom as possible and just laugh in my dentist's face when he prattles on hopefully about 6 monthly check-ups. Every two years, like my mammogram, is quite enough for my nervous system. Best of luck...and it WON'T be as bad as your worse fears. Lie back and think of England ;-)) Beverley from Perth

Funnily enough, it was having my wisdom tooth out that made me overcome my fear of the dentist. It took him an hour to take it out, then another hour a week later to take the rest of it out! But at least nothing else that he can do to me can be any worse than that! I still don't like the dentist, but make myself go every year because I want to keep all my own teeth for as long as possible.

Thank you for all your kind wishes! You have all managed to remind me that it's what he is going to say about my left bottom wisdom tooth that is bothering me the most!!! I can't see it coming out easily.........and it's the loose gums around it that are causing the ''smell'' factor!! (glad you are reading this, aren't you??!!!) OC, I would love to go to Cyprus and have some Greek dentist give me some private treatment (!!!), but I'm also a bit phobic about flying!!! Maybe a first class cruise ticket??? Merry

Merry, let me reassure you. They don't prod and poke these days, they will take probably take some X-rays and be very gentle with you. If you explain that you are scared s***less, tell the dentist.I used to be terrified but once I'd told the dentist she would explain exactly what she was going to do and somehow that makes you feel more in control of the situation. (There was a period of 15 years after leaving school that I didn't go to the dentist so I speak from experience) For goodness sake, don't do what my Mother did. She had toothache and inflamed gums for ages before plucking up the courage to go. Result- She had to have the lot out and walk around with no teeth for about a month.

Forgot to say, wisdom teeth aren't rooted as deeply as Molars so less aggro and pain. A few years ago I had a molar out. It was giving me real problems and the dentist offered to crown it for £150 which would need redoing in 10 years so I asked for it to be removed for £35. (This has NOTHING to do with my Scottish ancestry, I was just fed up with having the filling break every bank holiday) . It was the first time I'd had one out under local. I didn't feel a thing. The dentist told me to take painkillers at regular intervals for the next 48 hours and not to smoke for 24 I got at least 10 metres down the road before lighting up and went back to work. I took the first dose of Neurofen, let them wear off and didn't bother taking anymore as there was no pain.

Having your wisdom teeth out versus having a baby? Let me think now. Of course it won't be that bad, if you can give birth you can have your teeth extracted, much less painful.......but you don't get the flowers & cards afterwards......or the sleepless nights!!! You will be fine!!!

Babs read thread and runs off;;; OMG now I remember why I have no top teeth;; not even falsies;;;;Yuk Babs

oooh, Babs! Janet....thank you for the reassurance! Time for a panadol and a glass of wine, I think! Merry

Here Merry Oil of cloves ;;; dashes out again;;

Ah, Merry You might be ok after all - if the tooth is infected below the gum line then you will have to have it out in hospital, which means a general anaesthetic and all the family importance of being in hospital, which will get you much more sympathy than the boring old dentist. OC

Thank you Gillian! Olde Crone........please go back to your cauldron......you are giving me the frights!! BTW I prefer black grapes to green ones and no carnations in the flowers, thanks! Merry

I went for my consultation today and have an appointment for friday to have the work done! I'm glad I don't have to wait too long but a bit flappy to say the least. I will have a small injection in the back of my hand to make me relaxed but they will also numb the area too. I think it's a similar thing to what I had when I had to have a camera down my throat a couple of years back. That made me go right out, if this happens the same I will be really happy! He also says that I only need three out not four! So I will let you know how it goes - 2 of them are wisdom teeth.

Well, I'm still alive!!! Remembered I can't swallow properly with my mouth open! Told him I need loads of short breaks of two seconds......he seemed to allow this to a point! I have two teeth that are pretty bad at the back - one has two large holes and the other has one. Bad news is he doesn't just want to take them out I don't think - just ''do some work there''! Of the worse one he said, ''I won't know quite what's happening with that one until the X rays come back'' ......Aaaagggghhhh!) X rays taken of impacted wisdom teeth.....prognosis in two weeks (as I'm on hols again in between) Says he can tell I haven't seen a hygienist in 20 years (I smiled and didn't tell him that hadn't invented such a person when I last went to the dentist regularly, so I have actually NEVER seen one! Measured all the pockets round my teeth looking for evidence of gum disease. Not too bad considering (he said) but has booked three visits with the hygienist...........told me they now use anaesthetic gell on your gims to make it less scary! Now I'm home I have raging toothache again, for the first time in a week! Merry

Believe me Merry, you have had a better time today than I have so far! Glad all went okay and you didnt disgrace yourself in any way (arent Tena Lady wonderful lol). OC

I think I went fully equiped in all departments! Thank you! Merry

Hi had mine out this afternoon!! I'd had the most awful pain last night for several hours so was I glad!! Had the sedation and it was brilliant. The people there were wonderful. Had 2 wisdom teeth out and a wonky one next to one of them. Came home and went to bed for a couple of hours, couldn't really sleep. Now have a bit of a headache a bit like the after effects of a hangover!!. Hope you get a result asap. Dianex

Hi Merry - So pleased to hear that you have survived. Apart from the tootheache how are you feeling?. Are you a little less scared of your next visit? Lindax

Merry and Diane, Hope you are both ok. Love Viv (from one who has had a filling this afternoon) xxx

Hi Merry, well done you. Wasn't so bad after all was it? LOL It's quite normal to have toothache AFTER seeing the dentist - it is for me anyway. :-)))