Comments on: I Suffer From Panic Attacks.. What Can I Do To Be Able To Get Dental Work Done?

By: gas monitors

gas monitors — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:48:00 +0000

It is funny that I have come across your question as I suffer from the same thing you do, except my panic attacks are just mostly anxiety sitting in the chair, scared to death, drumming my fingers. I cancelled my appt today, then all my coworkers yelled at me, so I called back, and still could get in. My dentist knows about my phobia, and she treats me very kind. She tells me when I will feel a poke or a pinch. If you need work done, ask to be given Nitrous Oxide. It is laughing gas, and it relaxes you, to the point where you really don’t care what they are doing. Talk to your doctor if you have anxiety meds you take on a regular basis. Ask them if it is okay for you to take one before they do work on you. I am even getting nitrous oxide for my teeth being cleaned. Also, there are dentists out there who deal with patients like us, who are so deathly afraid. See if your insurance covers them, and if so, go for it. I have great empathy for you. Take care…
A note to Benny G—Are you serious, doctors can now sedate you? Are they just regular dentists, or do you have to do to a sedation clinic? I have heard of them before, but not in regular dentist’s offices…

By: gymfreak

gymfreak — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:44:56 +0000

Call the dentist you will be going to first and talk with them. Let them know of your problem. There are tons of dentists who work with patients that have phobias like yours. If your particular dentist does not they should be able to refer you to someone who does. Good luck.

By: I ? AUG

I ? AUG — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:44:27 +0000

Some dentists will prescribe a valium pill for you to take several hours before you come in for your appointment so that you are more relaxed. Check with your dentist to see what s/he offers. You are certainly not alone in your feelings, and any good dentist will usually have one or more options for the patient to deal with this so that they can get the dental checkup/help they need.
Good luck!

By: blacksno

blacksno — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:51:41 +0000

well what you can request is nitrous oxide what that does is make you feel relax so that the dentist can work on you without you getting out of hand they will put a nose mask on you and will tell you to breath you won’t be put to sleep you should do fine with the nitrous

By: whatever

whatever — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:44:02 +0000

Just pray and everything will be alright. Just close your eyes and just feel the presents of GOD in the room. With him there is peace.
No weapon formed against thee shall prosper isaiah 54:17

By: riversco

riversco — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:24:59 +0000

Talk to the dentist, frankly, tell him you have panic attacks. He can recommend medication so you do not panic. And dentistry has changed a lot. My dentist puts on the gas mask[it is tiny, and not uncomfortable at all] before he starts, and my recent tooth extraction was pain free, just a little pain with the needle to deaden the tooth. The assistant asked me if I was OK, I said I was in the ozone layer.
There is a comercial on local TV and radio about oral sedation dentistry, evidently it is quite popular. And my dentist told me that people show up for proceedures in their jammies, he did not mention if they had a teddie bear, too.

By: paumelar

paumelar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:24:55 +0000

Actually you can, or you can get laughing gas…….I’m with you though, I am terrified of going and I know I have to do it.
Or you could try some relaxing tablets before you go,

By: gldjns

gldjns — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:02:18 +0000

You answered your own question. Many dentists nowadays employ what they call “sedation dentistry”, or “sleep dentistry”. There are two kinds — sedation dentistry just calms and relaxes you, but you are conscious. After the procedure, you have little or no recollection of it. Sleep dentistry puts you totally out during the procedure. Dentistry itself, has come a long way from the Dark Ages when barbers were dentists on the side. Modern dentistry is virtually painless, which is good news for persons with phobias about going to the dentist. So go through the phone directory and see if you can find either a sleep or sedation dentist. Don’t neglect your teeth, dear. Good luck!

By: banec1

banec1 — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:03:22 +0000

talk with your dentist. Explain your condition, and ask what options he suggests. If just going to the dentist makes you uncomfortable, ask if it’s all right if you just come to the office to look around. Sit in the waiting room for just a few minutes at a time, until you’re comfortable with the surroundings. That might help get you into the chair. Most dentists are willing to work with patients who have anxiety issues. You’d be surprised how many people have anxiety about dentists, anyway.

By: susan p

susan p — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:06:48 +0000

I also have panic attacks, in fact for the past 30 + years now, and No it’s not anxiety, it’s Panic, some people get the 2 confused..anyway are you on any meds, like klonipin, that has saved my life, having anxiety going to the dentist is pretty normal, call a dentist who is understanding of this problem,ask for a little gas and ask if you can bring a friend, you’ll be fine, you won’t die or go crazy from the dentist, breathe..