I’m in a pickle. I have what most people would consider an irrational fear of the dentist. I haven’t been in years because just the thought makes me get so sick that I throw up. I know it is stupid, but I can’t control how my body works. I take great care of my teeth and have never had a problem before. I must have missed something, because one of my teeth hurts like crazy. Is there a chance that there is a medicine like an antibiotic I can take to fix this? I don’t think I’ll be able to go through with an appointment.
Maggie
Dear Maggie,
I am glad you wrote. Fears are not something you can always control. I do have some good news for you, but before I do I have to tell you something that you won’t be thrilled about. If you have a tooth infection, and it sounds like you may have, taking antibiotics alone will not solve a tooth infection. The only way to do that is for a dentist to physically remove the infected pulp. This is typically done by a root canal treatment.
Now, before you start hyperventilating, let me quickly give you the good news. What if I told you that there is a medication that will relax you so much that you can completely sleep through your entire dental appointment? In your position, I would look for a dentist who offers oral conscious sedation. This is just a pill you swallow. However, it relaxes you so much that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you for a few hours afterward until you are no longer loopy.
When you schedule the appointment for your toothache, let them know about the extent of your anxiety and they can arrange for sedation even when they just check out your tooth. Communication is the key in this type of situation.
This blog is brought to you by Enfield Dentist Dr. William Cummiskey.
