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Dental sedation

(68 Posts)
Narnia Wed 21-May-25 14:16:13

Hi.
I've been on nhs wait list since Jan for an extraction with iv sedation.
I have terrible dental phobia and gag reflex, so really couldn't contemplate being " with it"
Tooth keeps flaring up, infections, pain, no sleep etc so i decided to pay privately.
Now i know the apt could be very soon im petrified! My husband says i need to be "a grown up"
Sensibly i know i can't continue and we have a big family holiday coming up.
I'm literally shaking typing this!
Any advice? Please no scare stories 😖

Narnia Thu 22-May-25 19:15:49

It gets worse
Apparently i have been turned down by one dental practice that do sedation as they deem my bmi to be higher than they accept.
My own dentist made up the weight as i have no clue.
I am overweight but not on medication, no sleep apnoea etc
I'm flabbergasted that they just refused and have never met me.
So now i have no idea what to do!

Gaga0123 Thu 22-May-25 19:19:20

My husband was a dentist and I ran the practice and we specifically treated dental phobics, don't be embarrassed or ashamed of being afraid it's very common.
I've seen 6 foot tall rugby players become snivelling wrecks and literally run out of the surgery so we are used to people being afraid.
I'd suggest you ask the dentist treating you to maybe prescribe you a small sedative for the morning of the procedure, diazepam is what we gave if needed, you take it in the morning and it really gulps with the anxiety.
And then as others have said it's a quick lovely nap and before you know it you'll be woken up and it'll all be done.
Best wishes to you.

Gaga0123 Thu 22-May-25 19:21:08

Of course that should have read Helps not gulps!!! 😂

LaTroisette Thu 22-May-25 19:31:48

My daughter who was needle phobic had it, it was fab and she said some hilarious things on the way home! In later years she saw a psychotherapist for CBT to tackle this lifelong phobia and the results are miraculous.

SpringsEternal Thu 22-May-25 19:45:52

Hi Narnia I used to be so scared of going to the dentist, and I used to have gum pockets (yeuk) and all sorts. In 1990 though, I learned about oil pulling, an ancient Ayurvedic technique that predates toothbrushes and dentists. You put a teaspoon of coconut oil in your mouth and swish around for 5- 10 minutes - though the first time you'll probably gag in 0.5 seconds, so stand near a bin. The oil gathers all the bacteria in the mouth and you spit it out - so it's actually more thorough and more gentle than brushing. My dentist noticed a difference straight away, and I lost my fear.
The other thing is that I do Reiki. A client once booked an emergency appointment because she had toothache. She came and the pain disappeared; she decided to keep her dental appointment, which was straight after; until then she'd been so nervous about any dental work that she used to ask for an injection before cleaning. But that day she felt totally relaxed and calm and didn't even want an injection before the filling. So there are options. There's also the Bach Flower Remedies Mimilus for apprehension and Rock Rose for terror. GOOD LUCK

Narnia Thu 22-May-25 20:00:59

Not great news at the dentist.
I've been turned down for sedation at one practice as they think my bmi is to high for them
They haven't seen me. I am overweight but no health issues! The dentist guessed a weight as i don't weigh myself.
I just don't know what to do next.. dentist says it's too difficult for him to remove

Jaxjacky Thu 22-May-25 20:27:37

Maybe you could have Valium orally?

twiglet77 Thu 22-May-25 21:36:45

You could ask for a nurse at the GP surgery to weigh you and write it down, you don’t need to look at the note if you don’t want to know ( but knowledge is power - it might be better if you DO know your weight and exact height)!

Silverlady333 Fri 23-May-25 00:07:59

I had a tooth removed with sedation, Well actually it is a memory blocker. You simply don't remember anything. I was so comfortable I did not want to wake up! Best way ever to have a troublesome tooth removed!

janipans Fri 23-May-25 00:11:32

I think fear of dentists is common in our age group. We were subjected to the administrations of "the school dentist". I remember in detail having the gas mask forced over my face when I was about 7, whilst struggling with a fat, piggy looking dentist I was convinced worked for Hitlar and was going to kill me. I'm still terrified aged 70!
My best advice is to use an understanding dentist, who talks you through the procedure and treats you as though you have more than one brain cell!
Mine uses lasers, which cause less bleeding than normal procedures so that helps.
We'll all be "rooting" for you (if you'll pardon the pun!)

Kamiso Fri 23-May-25 13:56:56

Have a look at You Tube. Lots of pages on hypnotism or relaxation. Find one where you can relax to the voice and tone. You should be somewhere quiet with no phones or distractions, Some are very short and others for an hour or so, Good luck!

Dee1012 Fri 23-May-25 14:11:05

Narnia

Not great news at the dentist.
I've been turned down for sedation at one practice as they think my bmi is to high for them
They haven't seen me. I am overweight but no health issues! The dentist guessed a weight as i don't weigh myself.
I just don't know what to do next.. dentist says it's too difficult for him to remove

It might be worth looking on the site I posted previously? You can search for Dentists who are supportive and understanding so maybe a 02nd opinion?

www.dentalphobia.co.uk/

keepingquiet Fri 23-May-25 14:17:00

I have a fear of poverty- which is why I still use a NHS dentist who hits me on the head with a hammer- I don't remember a thing and my head hurts afterwards more than the tooth...I just take paracetamol for that and I'm ok in a few days.

SusieB50 Fri 23-May-25 14:34:12

My son- in - law has a dentist phobia and we managed after some time of terrible pain to get him to see a dentist with sedation. They agreed that I could stay with him, could you ask if someone could stay with you?

icanhandthemback Fri 23-May-25 16:57:38

Sedation is the best way forward if you are phobic; my husband, a big roughie, toughie Firefighter, can't even accompany me on appointments. I used to be the same but now I insist upon sedation or a lot of local anaesthetic along with someone I trust to stop when I say stop!

Philippa111 Fri 23-May-25 22:53:28

I’ve had sedation several times and latterly for dental implants. It’s fantastic. You feel nothing and remember nothing.
It’s a very short lived sedation. Once you’ve had it you’ll wonder what you were afraid of. If you’ve had blood taken at the doctor or a cannula inserted this is much less of an intrusion. You just drift off effortlessly and waken up once it’s all over. Good luck

GoldenAge Sun 25-May-25 10:29:01

Narnia - think of the visit to the dentist in a different way - instead of the fear/pain you expect to experience, consider this from the dentist's viewpoint. S/he will have allocated something like an hour for the extraction (it will only take five minutes but there'll be the cleaning of the room before and after and of course that's all in the price you pay). So if you can quantify the time you believe you'll be terrified for, you can then begin to compare that with other events in your life when you've been very apprehensive - childbirth maybe if you've had children. As your lead up before visiting the dentist, try to do some breathwork, focus on your breathing, count the breaths in through your nose (4), hold the breath for another count of 2, breathe out through your mouth for a count of 6 or more and concentrate on that out breath so that you really feel the movement inside. If you can master this technique your extraction will be done before you know it and as others have said, the dentist will be aware of your anxiety and be sympathetic - you really are the customer if you're paying and by the way, £600 is cheap for a private extraction so use that as the basis for a glass half full approach. Wishing you courage.