I'm going in tomorrow for the first of 2 appointments for a deep cleaning.
To say I'm nervous at the dentist is an understatement.
I asked about gas, but it's not covered under my insurance and I don't have the $100 they claim it will cost. Does anyone know of anything over the counter I can take to ease my nerves? Is this even an allowed topic? They said they'd use some kind of goop on a q-tip to numb it, but that's just topical and presumably won't help as they poke with their horrible steel hooks and needles.
I'm kind of freaking out a bit. Fortunately, I don't have many cavities, and I'm mostly just there for the cleaning.
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Steam ID: Obos Vent: Obos
they know =/
breath deeply and keep your eyes closed. they'll give you sunglasses probably. just take a nap
they said they'd have to pull the gums back to poke up under
edit: up yours Geth!
There is topical anithestics they can apply to sensative areas. One of my molars is stupid so it gets the goop when they are in that area.
its the sound that gets to me, but you may be ok with it.
I can't explain it. Feeling the pick on my teeth is like my own private hell.
unless they are using some byzantine technique I have not witnessed, that sounds way worse than it really is. your gums really are not that sensitive and you'd be surprised what they can do without it hurting. it's going to feel more like pressure than a needle or a drill
if you ask for novocaine they're going to roll their eyes hard and then give you the bill. a dose of novocaine is not cheap, and it will hurt more than what they plan to do anyway
the injection site for novocaine on your bottom teeth is... well let's just say once they start doing it, you're going to wish you didn't ask
Like he said, this isn't a standard cleaning -- it's a deep cleaning. I believe it's also called scaling. Honestly, it does not sound like a procedure I'd want to go through. I read up on it just before going to the dentist for the first time in 12 years and feared I'd need this under-the-gums scraping thing, but thankfully all I needed was a root canal and a few cavities drilled.
To the OP: I obviously can't give you tips specifically about the procedure, but it's likely that it will be mostly painless during the procedure. Just be prepared to feel sore afterwards and get some ibuprofen or whatever to help with that. I found this site which explains it a bit more and even has a few quotes from people who went through it -- perhaps that will be helpful.
Good luck!
At worst it will be like a rough flossing in that your gums may bleed a bit. It's definitely not what I'd classify as "fun" but it's a completely harmless procedure and I 100% guarantee you will be completely fine.
i know exactly what it is, I've had it before
I just have massive anxiety about it. Also, I can't imagine the dentist will appreciate me constantly shrinking back everytime she comes at with me with whatever god-awful implements of destruction she's holding.
the only thing you're going to feel is the sensation of a pick where previously you've never felt physical contact before. it will be more weird than painful
I have had the deep cleaning, and while it was not what I would classify as "fun"; it wasn't bad.
My advice, see if they'll let you bring in some headphones and listen to some music.
If your teeth are sensitive below the gumline, it can absolutely be that bad. I have a couple of molars that are sensitive just at/below the gums, and when the dentist touches those spots, it can feel like a live wire attached to my tooth.
In any case, yes, the novocaine shot sucks, but it's over quickly. I have a lot of large fillings (bad enamel, apparently), and the shot is easily the worst part of the experience - but it's smooth sailing after that. You just have to decide if being numb is personally worth a few moments of intense (but predictable) pain
I feel as though each of my teeth was brutally scraped with a pointed steel hook 5mm below the gum line
Ahh
At least she knew her Little Shop of Horrors
Steam ID: Obos Vent: Obos
I brush thrice a day and use a water pick!
But dang! It's torture.
Sadly, I never did find a way to relax through it.
I guess this can be closed now!
You're getting a cleaning, the topical gel will be more than enough. Believe it or not, dentists don't want their patients in pain, both because it makes it hard to work and also because they are people. If anything hurts to much (and I mean hurt, not pressure or discomfort) just tell them. Also the metal hooks are for scraping plaque primarily and checking for cavities, they won't hurt you
My wife brushes twice and flosses each night, but she still gets cavities every year. Some peoples' enamel just isn't there.