The Dentist

[Butts]

Does anyone like me hate going to the Dentist ?

I am the biggest coward going - the fact you can hear "the drill" from the waiting room is enough to give me "the shi*s.

My fear was garnered by "The Mobile Torture Chambers" that used to visit Schools when I attended.

It used to amaze me my wife had fillings without injections ....and why are those needles bent at the dentist

Paying to be tortured is what a visit amounts to !!

Anyone got any views or horror stories about a visit to the "drill merchants"

 

[Johnuk123]

When I was really small I remember being in the dentists when my mother was asked - "Cocaine or gas" that was your anaesthetic choice and in those days you never paid a penny for treatment

You used to see 2 massive gas bottles right next to the chair and some horrible looking implements.

Nowadays I rarely have an injection before a filling as I can't be bothered to wait and I don't mind a bit of pain.
I remember asking the dentist about 5 years ago what percentage of people don't bother with the injection and it was a lot.

 

[gazthomas]

Does anyone like me hate going to the Dentist ?

I am the biggest coward going - the fact you can hear "the drill" from the waiting room is enough to give me "the shi*s.

My fear was garnered by "The Mobile Torture Chambers" that used to visit Schools when I attended.

It used to amaze me my wife had fillings without injections ....and why are those needles bent at the dentist

Paying to be tortured is what a visit amounts to !!

Anyone got any views or horror stories about a visit to the "drill merchants"

I had to go recently. I went out for a meal few Saturday night's ago and at the end of meal I was given a mint imperial. 20 second later, crack and one of my side teeth is broken in half. I had to wait 3 days for the dentist (not bad given it's still NHS!) and in that time my tongue had taken to trying to cut itself on the remaining stump. I couldn't have a filling so the only option was a temporary filling, followed a few days later by a root canal ready for a crown. It wasn't the injection or drill that I didn't like to be honest, it was the dental bleach they tried to kill me with. That stuff is awful!

I'm going to have to wait two weeks for my crown. That said, with a beer in one hand and a view of the beach here in Thailand things aren't too bad

 

[Butts]

When I was really small I remember being in the dentists when my mother was asked - "Cocaine or gas" that was your anaesthetic choice and in those days you never paid a penny for treatment

You used to see 2 massive gas bottles right next to the chair and some horrible looking implements.

Nowadays I rarely have an injection before a filling as I can't be bothered to wait and I don't mind a bit of pain.
I remember asking the dentist about 5 years ago what percentage of people don't bother with the injection and it was a lot.

Have you had a "root canal treatment" without an injection ?

 

[snail]

You should try getting an implant fitted. That's fun, especially when they screw the post in and you can hear it creaking.

I used to hate going to the dentist, but getting some serious treatment done somehow gave me confidence and I don't care any more.

 

[eastwestdivide]

If you don't like the dentist, consider the alternative: my father wouldn't go, ever, and as he got older, his teeth deteriorated to the point where the toothache was just too much.
On a visit to Guy's hospital in London for something unrelated, he blagged his way in to the top dentist, and asked "can you take 'em all out and put false ones in please". The dentist said OK, but I think we can save two of the originals, to anchor the false teeth.
Returned for the operation a few weeks later, followed by two months of eating nothing but shepherd's pie while the gums settled down, and then back for fitting the false teeth and months more of getting used to them.

He was miserable for months. I know I'd rather put up with a bit of discomfort and the sound of the drill occasionally than put it off and go through all that.

 

[Johnuk123]

Have you had a "root canal treatment" without an injection ?

No, just a few straight forward fillings.

 

[SteveP29]

If any of you are lucky enough (or close enough) pay a visit to Beamish Museum and take a tour of the dentists house in the town and listen to the talk the rep gives. It's set in the period for the street, which is between 1900 and 1920 or so, if you're frightened now, you'll be positively petrified and glad that you weren't around then. Modern dentistry is totally futuristic when compared to this.

Random quote from last time I was there '1 in 3 never woke up after being anaesthetised for dental work in this period of time'

 

[Bungle73]

Why the hell would anyone have a filling without an anaesthetic? The only time that happens to me is if the dentist thinks the drill won't go near the nerve, but the anaesthetic is always on stand by in case I start to feel it (they tell me to raise my arm if that happens).

And surely if you take care of your teeth you shouldn't have any problems, and going to the dentist is just a formality? I use an electric toothbrush and an oral irrigator these days.

 

[Johnuk123]

Why the hell would anyone have a filling without an anaesthetic? The only time that happens to me is if the dentist thinks the drill won't go near the nerve, but the anaesthetic is always on stand by in case I start to feel it (they tell me to raise my arm if that happens).

And surely if you take care of your teeth you shouldn't have any problems, and going to the dentist is just a formality? I use an electric toothbrush and an oral irrigator these days.

As it's on my notes that I don't normally have anaesthetic I presume that's why my Chinese dentist doesn't ask me any more just goes ahead.

I'm sure if she thought I would be getting a lot of pain she'd ask me.

I'm not knocking anybody for wanting anaesthetic that's fine, just saying I normally don't.

 

[michael769]

Why the hell would anyone have a filling without an anaesthetic? The only time that happens to me is if the dentist thinks the drill won't go near the nerve

Most shallow fillings don't go deep enough to cause pain, especially with modern filling materials which require less extensive drilling to install than do NHS amalgam ones.

Though if you have sensitive teeth - the cooling water from the drill can cause a lot of pain in which case you will always need to be well numbed.

And surely if you take care of your teeth you shouldn't have any problems, and going to the dentist is just a formality? I use an electric toothbrush and an oral irrigator these days.

In theory yes - especially if you were lucky enough to have fissure sealant applied as a child. But even perfect care cannot protect you from accidental breakages, and of course care requires not only cleaning but great care about what you eat and drink.

And some people just have harder and more resistant enamel than others and will naturally require less treatment.

 

[table38]

Why the hell would anyone have a filling without an anaesthetic?

Perhaps if you are Bill Murphy...

[youtube]D7euWlQBKnw[/youtube]

--- Edit ---

I must be slipping, I missed an open goal to do the "transcend dental medication" joke.

(OK, yes I know it was just on "Deal or No Deal"!)

 

[Butts]

Why the hell would anyone have a filling without an anaesthetic? The only time that happens to me is if the dentist thinks the drill won't go near the nerve, but the anaesthetic is always on stand by in case I start to feel it (they tell me to raise my arm if that happens).

And surely if you take care of your teeth you shouldn't have any problems, and going to the dentist is just a formality? I use an electric toothbrush and an oral irrigator these days.

I dare not ask - but what is an oral irrigator

 

[Bungle73]

I dare not ask - but what is an oral irrigator

It's a device that sprays a strong jet of water between your teeth to clear out all the muck. I get stuff coming out I didn't even know was there!

You're also supposed to use it to clear muck from the gum line, but my electric toothbrush seems to handle that quite well.

 

[SS4]

The real torture is having to abstain from a cup of tea for hours

 

[Butts]

The real torture is having to abstain from a cup of tea for hours

Have a whisky instead

 

[Class172]

Personally I don't see how anyone can have major problems with just going to the dentist, it's no worry at all. Although I have never experienced any of the 'whizzy' tools as my teeth are in good condition.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

Love the dentist. Some of the minty stuff mine uses tastes absolutely beautiful, and I've had a filling but most of it fell out, meh. He (and his assistants who take me from time to time) are very caring and the place is welcoming.

 

[martinsh]

Anyone who dislikes going to the dentist should go to the same one as me and meet the gorgeous Anna ...

http://www.danebankhouse.co.uk/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=41:team_anna_lawrence&Itemid=37

PS preferred her as a brunette though

 

[wintonian]

Kings College Hospital are good with nervous patients - though I'm not sure I'll be allowed back after the side effects of the IV sedation I had manifested themselves and now most likely banned from having again which is pity considering how much I enjoyed it.

The only way they get any work done on me is by administering a general anaesthetic.

 

[gnolife]

The only way they get any work done on me is by administering a general anaesthetic.

Same here. I flat out refuse to have injections of any kind, to the point that I instinctively lash out at anyone or anything that tries to give them to me. This did result in me breaking my dentists front teeth when he tried to give me a local anaesthetic so that he could take six of my back teeth out when I was fifteen.

 

[wintonian]

Same here. I flat out refuse to have injections of any kind, to the point that I instinctively lash out at anyone or anything that tries to give them to me. This did result in me breaking my dentists front teeth when he tried to give me a local anaesthetic so that he could take six of my back teeth out when I was fifteen.

I don't have issues with the injections - I think it's the pain & sensitivity of the mouth combined with the fact you can't see what the dentist is poking around at.

I have a tendency to unintentionally bite dentists fingers so they tend to be more than happy to refer me on!

 

[Butts]

I don't have issues with the injections - I think it's the pain & sensitivity of the mouth combined with the fact you can't see what the dentist is poking around at.

I have a tendency to unintentionally bite dentists fingers so they tend to be more than happy to refer me on!

My Son and Daughter have got no fillings while me and the ex-wife are like "metal mickey".

I've heard they have invented a "laser drill" is this true and has anyone experienced it if so ?

 

[Smudger105e]

I hate the dentist, I hate the deburring tool they clean with. I hate having injections in the roof of my mouth. I hate the taste of the pink mouthwash (blue stuff is better though). I hate having impressions taken. I hate having fillings done (wouldn't get near me with their power tools without anesthetic).

The only redeeming thing about my dentist is that she is a lovely lady, and I would!!

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I don't hate dentists in general but I hate my one.

She is rough as hell, when giving my teeth a polish she made them bleed and my gums sore and when I brought it up with her she was like "You need to be brushing like this everyday, getting right into the gums". I've never known a dentist make somebody's teeth bleed and tell them that's how you do it!

I also hate the novocaine, not so much the injection I'm fine with that, it's the way your mouth is numb for ages so when you smile you look like a retard and you can't speak properly!

 

[michael769]

Bleeding and sore gums is a symptom of mild gingivitis, usually caused by poor brushing technique. You might find you would benefit from a visit to a hygenist who will be able to advise you how to improve it.

If you do not already use one you might find an electric toothbrush helpful, many folks find it easier to get at the gum margin with a electric brush than a traitional one.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Bleeding and sore gums is a symptom of mild gingivitis, usually caused by poor brushing technique. You might find you would benefit from a visit to a hygenist who will be able to advise you how to improve it.

If you do not already use one you might find an electric toothbrush helpful, many folks find it easier to get at the gum margin with a electric brush than a traitional one.

No my teeth and gums were fine when I went in! It was when she started to polish them, she was pressing it in hard and rubbing it in hard and proper being rough, and thus the abrasion made them bleed and sore.

She had done the same to my dad and brother as well

 

[Sox]

My Son and Daughter have got no fillings while me and the ex-wife are like "metal mickey".

I can say that 90% of the damage to my teeth occurred before my 15th birthday. I had to go for a load of treatment about that time and after that I finally got it into my thick head the importance of dental care.

I had very little trouble for the next 30 years until my mid forties when, as it seems that teeth can become brittle with age, I started to have a few breakages (especially teeth with large fillings).

Based on dental health, you could chart the generations of my family:

• Grandad: no teeth, all false
• Father: a good few of his own but also dentures
• Me: many fillings but all my own teeth
• My 16 year old: very nice teeth with no fillings.

 

[michael769]

I havevto admit a similar experience. Poor dental care as a teen followed by fillings in early 20s when I finally got something done, another bout in the last few years getting those early fillings replaced as they have failed, thankfully with more modern permanent (ie should outlast me) ones. I have not had a single fully healthy tooth touched in over 15 years, which sums up how much dental treatment has improved.

Sadly I have lost 1 back tooth which fell apart due to being more filling than tooth.

 

[Butts]

I havevto admit a similar experience. Poor dental care as a teen followed by fillings in early 20s when I finally got something done, another bout in the last few years getting those early fillings replaced as they have failed, thankfully with more modern permanent (ie should outlast me) ones. I have not had a single fully healthy tooth touched in over 15 years, which sums up how much dental treatment has improved.

Sadly I have lost 1 back tooth which fell apart due to being more filling than tooth.

I only have one wisdom tooth left, one was extracted by the Dentist when loose and I extracted the other two myself by "gentle wiggling" over a prolonged period - far cheaper and pain free !!