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Dental Trepidation (Fear of burning smells coming from my mouth)Sep 02 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line Like many other phobics, until the dental phobic is ready to conquer her fears, she'll just have to learn to live with her "tooth" aches. (Brush your breath with Dentene!)
Ever since I was a child, I have had numerous "experiences", that have lead me to actively avoid my annual dental examinations. From the excruciatingly boring wait, to the uncomfortable examination chairs and medieval-as-all-hell looking equipment, I, for one have, become a complete dental phobic. And to make matters worse, I always get the dentist who would rather try out his "stand-up" routine, than give me the double dose of novacaine I always demand! I totally understand why so many people find going to the dentist, a fate worse than death. To sum it up, having dental phobia can be shamefully intimidating, truely embarrasing, and extremely more expensive. For me, ( a professional dental phobic), just making an appointment can be an intimidating ordeal. Once I actually secure an appointment,(after hanging up on the office manager several times), the realization that I have to show up for this appointment sinks in, and that I will actually have to pay, whether I do or not. I try to arrive a tad late, just to avoid the smorgasborg of intimidating noises (ie;drilling-crying-drilling-screaming), from the other side of the waiting room door. Usually, by the time they call my name, I am already one foot out the front door. When the nurse finally convinces me that everything will be okay, I am escorted by the arm into an tiny exam room and asked to park my behind in "THE CHAIR". The nurse ( excuse my political incorrectness), I mean the dental assistant then proceeds to take x-rays of my mouth. This procedure only adds to my intimidation, as she keeps stepping out of the room, while making numerous attempts to get the best pictures possible (in this case, I really don't need the best,).As I am finally beginning to enter a semi-relaxed state, the Dentist comes waltzing in wearing his blood-stained smock (I'm definitely not dreaming). All this and more, makes it easy to figure how people suffer endlessly with a toothache, rather than making this annual date with Satan! People such as myself, who suffer serious dental anxieties , also tend to experience ongoing embarrassment from friends and family. Trying to explain your position to those who don't share it, can sound immature and well, let's face it...INSANE. I'm sorry but, the sight of any metal medieval looking object ascending into my mouth, bring me to shameless tears. Anyone with ultra-sensitive (and bloody) gums, knows the embarrassment suffered, when the dentist asks, "how often do you floss?" Or what about the total embarrassment of waiting years in between dental appointments? For me, waiting years between appointments, has often resulted in me being too embarrassed to go back to the same dental office ( sad, but true). Try explaining that to anyone who brushes and flossed three times a day!!! Another problem associated with dental phobia is the extra-added expenses we often endure. The longer one waits in between routine exams, the more intense the dental work becomes ( ie; a simple cleaning vs. a deep scaling). And lets not forget, that waiting til a simple toothaches becomes a root canal, can not only be much more costly, but incredibly more painful! And to be completely honest, with all my dental trepidations I also end up paying big for those "unnecessary extras" ie; pre and post-visit prescription pain killers, nitrous gas, increased novacaine doses. I actually would pay any price, to keep my neglected dental visits and "anxieties" involving them, in tow. As a self-proclaimed dental phobic, I have experienced much frustrated intimidations, unbelievable embarrassment and excessive added expense... and for what?!!! ( a healthy smile ?????) My bad childhood "experiences"at the dentist, have warranted all my adult dental phobias, thus resulting in a mouth of teeth on their way to "Denture Creme" land! I have secure a fabulous and very expensive Dentist for my child and she is the perfect patient as a result. "An apple a day, does NOT keep the dentist away!!!!" soooooooooooo.....keep brushing, flossing and making your annual dental appointment, an annual event!!! cheers and thanx for reading my theraputic confession.  |
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