Huge Dental Phobic
Moderator: bbsadmin
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Phil098342wq
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:24 pm
Huge Dental Phobic
Okay I tried to get some comfort on a dental phobia site. They all made it sound like it wouldn't be too much. I am switching to a new pyscotherapist and spoke to both of them about this and it seemed like no big deal. Asked the doc how much pain there would be. I am having a lot and it has not been 12 hours yet. The worst thing is all of the awful nightmares that have happened to get me to this point is flashing through my mind. Has anyone been through anything similar? I know the pain will settle down in a couple of days, but my mind is going bonkers. I really want to finish my day at work, but I have already broken down crying. I know it will get better, but can some one tell me from experience? Thanks
Did you just get braces put on today? if so then you deserve a huge pat on the back for conquering your phobia enough to make the decision to get ortho treatment and actually to go through with it. It's a major undertaking for anyone let alone somebody with dental phobia. I take my hat off to you!
The discomfort from braces is generally most noticeable soon after placement. Your mouth (and your brain) has to get used to all the new hardware. You can make things easier on yourself by using wax on any brackets or wires you feel might be rubbing your mouth. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated as this will also help. If you are in a lot of discomfort then maybe consider taking some OTC pain relief such as ibuprofen.
You've done the worst bit and overcome your fears enough to get things started. There's always people around on the boards here who will give you support and encouragement. We all have bad braces days now and again so you aren't on your own.
You can do this - and it does get better.
The discomfort from braces is generally most noticeable soon after placement. Your mouth (and your brain) has to get used to all the new hardware. You can make things easier on yourself by using wax on any brackets or wires you feel might be rubbing your mouth. Drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated as this will also help. If you are in a lot of discomfort then maybe consider taking some OTC pain relief such as ibuprofen.
You've done the worst bit and overcome your fears enough to get things started. There's always people around on the boards here who will give you support and encouragement. We all have bad braces days now and again so you aren't on your own.
You can do this - and it does get better.
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Phil098342wq
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:24 pm
It has been 6 hours, four minutes and 28 seconds since I left my ortho. I know alot has to do with the flood of emotions. I don't handle change well and don't have a family or social support group. That is why I AM SO GLAD I found you guys. I have been doing some wandering in here. I am trying to calm myself. I have taken the pain meds, I also have taken some to prevent my system from getting to upset and getting naueseted, sorry about the spelling. I was also getting tired so I drank an energy drink so I am doing better.
I have worked for three years to get here. I know I should be more excited, but I am just waiting for these emotions to settle down. It has not been easy getting here. Thanks for the comments guys. I'll write more when the room stops spinning.
I have worked for three years to get here. I know I should be more excited, but I am just waiting for these emotions to settle down. It has not been easy getting here. Thanks for the comments guys. I'll write more when the room stops spinning.
Just tale it easy and have painkillers. I had quite a lot of pain in the first days, and I took painkillers. The pain disappeared quite fast.
You could go jogging or do something fun in order to forget the pain, or as a last possibility take a benzo. (<- learned in a group thereapy a long time ago).
Good luck!
You could go jogging or do something fun in order to forget the pain, or as a last possibility take a benzo. (<- learned in a group thereapy a long time ago).
Good luck!
I'm glad you feel so welcome here. This is a really nice community of helpful people!
I want to add that it's perfectly normal to have "buyer's remorse" in the first few days after you get your braces on. Those feelings of "what have I done?!" and "can I live with this stuff in my mouth?" are feelings that we all go through at first.
But rest assured, there will come a day, a few months from now, when you will forget that the braces are on your teeth.
The fact that you've had this done despite your dental phobia is very good. You'll see, it's not a big deal. It's not like getting a filling or other invasive procedures. There are no shots involved. The pain may be intense at first, but it does dissipate and even eventually pretty much disappear.
If you haven't read the main ArchWired.com site, I suggest that you check it out: http://www.ArchWired.com.
Hang in there. And watch the energy drinks. They usually have caffeine which may tend to make you feel more nervous.
I want to add that it's perfectly normal to have "buyer's remorse" in the first few days after you get your braces on. Those feelings of "what have I done?!" and "can I live with this stuff in my mouth?" are feelings that we all go through at first.
But rest assured, there will come a day, a few months from now, when you will forget that the braces are on your teeth.
The fact that you've had this done despite your dental phobia is very good. You'll see, it's not a big deal. It's not like getting a filling or other invasive procedures. There are no shots involved. The pain may be intense at first, but it does dissipate and even eventually pretty much disappear.
If you haven't read the main ArchWired.com site, I suggest that you check it out: http://www.ArchWired.com.
Hang in there. And watch the energy drinks. They usually have caffeine which may tend to make you feel more nervous.
I'm the owner/admin of this site. Had ceramic uppers, metal lowers ~3 years in my early 40's. Now in Hawley retainers at night!
Hi there Phil
Firstly a BIG congratulations on getting braced
especially with the dentists phobia.
I used to have a very severe phobia of dentists to the point where i actually didnt go for a number of years as i was just to scared. In the end i got toothache and had to go, and was absouletely terrified, my mum actually had to prise my fingers off the dentists door to get me in there!
But for some reason ive been able to cope with the braces, (had them on nearly 11 months now) sure i had alot of oh my god what have i done moments at the beginning as it does seem a huge amount to deal with, but i find breaking it down into pieces makes it seem less scary. e.g i dont look at it as 3 years i break it down into 6 week slots each time i have an adjustment as this makes it seem less huge!
I PROMISE YOU IT DOES GET BETTER
Today im due to have a routine dental check up and im more scared about that then the braces appointments, as i guess my phobia concentrates more on the dentists than the orthos if that makes sense. Because the quote above is true, althougth sometimes what the ortho does is uncomfortable its not in the same league as having injections and fillings at the dentist.
Good luck, and please feel free to ask any questions, the guys on here are fantastically suportive.
Take care
Louise
Firstly a BIG congratulations on getting braced
especially with the dentists phobia.I used to have a very severe phobia of dentists to the point where i actually didnt go for a number of years as i was just to scared. In the end i got toothache and had to go, and was absouletely terrified, my mum actually had to prise my fingers off the dentists door to get me in there!
But for some reason ive been able to cope with the braces, (had them on nearly 11 months now) sure i had alot of oh my god what have i done moments at the beginning as it does seem a huge amount to deal with, but i find breaking it down into pieces makes it seem less scary. e.g i dont look at it as 3 years i break it down into 6 week slots each time i have an adjustment as this makes it seem less huge!
I PROMISE YOU IT DOES GET BETTER
Today im due to have a routine dental check up and im more scared about that then the braces appointments, as i guess my phobia concentrates more on the dentists than the orthos if that makes sense. Because the quote above is true, althougth sometimes what the ortho does is uncomfortable its not in the same league as having injections and fillings at the dentist.
Good luck, and please feel free to ask any questions, the guys on here are fantastically suportive.
Take care
Louise
Braces on 11th June 2006,~ BSSO and Wisdom tooth removal 11th February 2008,~ Plate Removal 14th May 2008,~ Braces off 28th August 2008.
http://adultwithbraces.blogspot.com/
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Phil098342wq
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:24 pm
I did make a discovery last night when I got home and tried eating dinner. My upper teeth are hitting the lower brackets and that is causing a good amount of the pain. I slept good last night, but feel like I was pushed through a garbage disposal sideways.
On the emotional side of things I feel the loss of control. I feel like I have given up so many of my rights as a human, but I also see the other side that I was never given a chance to have braces. I wanted them since I was in high school, but never given the option. Dentists always told me it was my fault my teeth we crooked. I also don’t trust these guys. I have lost that ability. I made sure to ask a hundred questions to my ortho and I feel like he did not tell me enough. (Especially the tired part)
I was proud that I worked five hours yesterday at work, I love my job. I have been through dental issues before with severe TMJ so I know what to eat. I have also taken a vow of silence which is common for me whenever I have dental work, but it has gotten to be a little fun because since I took this new job I haven’t had to. I am negotiating a $16,000 invoice and supervising the building of a bathroom speechless. LOL.
As for the physical, watch my teeth hitting each other, take it slow and drink more than anything. I love to cook and last time I was sick I made a lot of beef stew which is what I love to do, and I made so much that I froze several gallons of broth, which is what I am eating along with pumpkin soup I had in the freezer. I just wish I had known the pain would have been this bad.
On the emotional side of things I feel the loss of control. I feel like I have given up so many of my rights as a human, but I also see the other side that I was never given a chance to have braces. I wanted them since I was in high school, but never given the option. Dentists always told me it was my fault my teeth we crooked. I also don’t trust these guys. I have lost that ability. I made sure to ask a hundred questions to my ortho and I feel like he did not tell me enough. (Especially the tired part)
I was proud that I worked five hours yesterday at work, I love my job. I have been through dental issues before with severe TMJ so I know what to eat. I have also taken a vow of silence which is common for me whenever I have dental work, but it has gotten to be a little fun because since I took this new job I haven’t had to. I am negotiating a $16,000 invoice and supervising the building of a bathroom speechless. LOL.
As for the physical, watch my teeth hitting each other, take it slow and drink more than anything. I love to cook and last time I was sick I made a lot of beef stew which is what I love to do, and I made so much that I froze several gallons of broth, which is what I am eating along with pumpkin soup I had in the freezer. I just wish I had known the pain would have been this bad.
The pain will get better within a couple of weeks. You will be surprised how you will learn to adapt to the braces in your mouth.
There are some great cookbooks that have recipes for sore teeth. You can find them on these pages, along with other food suggestions:
http://www.archwired.com/soft_foods.htm
I can totally understand how this feels like loss of control to you. But your mouth will adapt. As your treatment progresses, your bite will change several times. Teeth will hit...then won't hit...things continue to shift and change until the treatment is almost finished.
I also want to point out, that if you have trouble finding certain types of orthodontic tools locally for flossing or whatever, my store at www.dentakit.com carries a lot of helpful stuff, including bracket covers, wax, Brace Relief, etc.
There are some great cookbooks that have recipes for sore teeth. You can find them on these pages, along with other food suggestions:
http://www.archwired.com/soft_foods.htm
I can totally understand how this feels like loss of control to you. But your mouth will adapt. As your treatment progresses, your bite will change several times. Teeth will hit...then won't hit...things continue to shift and change until the treatment is almost finished.
I also want to point out, that if you have trouble finding certain types of orthodontic tools locally for flossing or whatever, my store at www.dentakit.com carries a lot of helpful stuff, including bracket covers, wax, Brace Relief, etc.
I'm the owner/admin of this site. Had ceramic uppers, metal lowers ~3 years in my early 40's. Now in Hawley retainers at night!
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Phil098342wq
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:24 pm
I left work at 3:30 yesterday feeling absolutely awful. I had eaten four eggs throughout the morning, and some beef stew for lunch with a good deal of pudding for an afternoon snack, but my stomach was like I was hungry-hard to describe. On the way home I stopped and bought some ramen noodles, tuna, potted meat and raw cookie dough. I forced myself to eat everything I could last night, stayed up till 11:30, my usual bed time is 11, and went to bed. I had told my boss that I would be coming in late. I actually feel about 60% of my normal self.
I do have one wire that is really poking me, the upper left. The arch wire. Also one tooth in front is getting hit a lot and it has been root canaled after a major injury last July. It is the worst of all of them, is this normal? If these things don’t improve by Monday I am calling my ortho.
One final thing, my mother claims to have had everything in her life. Now she is saying she went through braces twice herself and knows just how I feel-BS. One thing I learned in grief therapy is no one knows exactly how you are feeling. We all have different lives and different bodies. She is the reason I am having to go through this-child abuse resulting in a seizure with trauma to lower jaw and refusing to listen when dentists blamed me for these problems. She makes me so mad, I just don’t answer the phone when her number comes up.
Just thought everyone would like an update. Sun shine is finally peaking through the clouds.
I do have one wire that is really poking me, the upper left. The arch wire. Also one tooth in front is getting hit a lot and it has been root canaled after a major injury last July. It is the worst of all of them, is this normal? If these things don’t improve by Monday I am calling my ortho.
One final thing, my mother claims to have had everything in her life. Now she is saying she went through braces twice herself and knows just how I feel-BS. One thing I learned in grief therapy is no one knows exactly how you are feeling. We all have different lives and different bodies. She is the reason I am having to go through this-child abuse resulting in a seizure with trauma to lower jaw and refusing to listen when dentists blamed me for these problems. She makes me so mad, I just don’t answer the phone when her number comes up.
Just thought everyone would like an update. Sun shine is finally peaking through the clouds.
Hello Phil! When I first had my braces put on I was in some kind of state of panic. I went as far as going down to the ortho's office and telling him I wanted them taken out. ( I was so close to crying....44 year old female here). Also, for the first while my top teeth were also hitting my bottom brackets. This will eventually change with time as your teeth start to move. Bite slowly and carefully for now. In fact, my two left back molars were barely able to touch each other which made eating quite a chore. I've been making lots of protein shakes with milk, whey powder, fruit....etc. I just want to tell you to take this journey DAY BY DAY. It's something that can't be rushed. Remember, other people don't care if you're wearing braces! Good luck to you, and keep in mind this is something positive you are doing for YOU.
When I first had my braces put on I was in some kind of state of panic. I went as far as going down to the ortho's office and telling him I wanted them taken out. ( I was so close to crying....44 year old female here). Also, for the first while my top teeth were also hitting my bottom brackets. This will eventually change with time as your teeth start to move. Bite slowly and carefully for now. In fact, my two left back molars were barely able to touch each other which made eating quite a chore. I've been making lots of protein shakes with milk, whey powder, fruit....etc. I just want to tell you to take this journey DAY BY DAY. It's something that can't be rushed. Remember, other people don't care if you're wearing braces! Good luck to you, and keep in mind this is something positive you are doing for YOU.-
Phil098342wq
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 2:24 pm
I was so smart when I had my wisdom teeth taken out a year and a half ago. I bought enough soft and healthy food for a week. I spent two weeks in agony and drugged out of my mind. Needless to say I lost 9 pounds in two weeks. I have always been overweight since a back injury and exercised greatly before going under to lose some as well. I have spent the last year really tweaking my diet to all healthy items, or at least 90%. I am doing what I can and not going nuts with not eating nor am i eating nuts, lol. I am eating soft and other things, just wish I would have shopped before this. Oh well, I can't wait till I go back to my doc and get weighed.
I am a 28 year old male who just finished up three years at two community colleges to get two certificates and AAS degree and a wonderful job at an engineering firm. It has been fun emailing clients, I did have to go do a conference with a supplier face to face, it was hard and I should have waxed before, learn and live.
Thanks all
I am a 28 year old male who just finished up three years at two community colleges to get two certificates and AAS degree and a wonderful job at an engineering firm. It has been fun emailing clients, I did have to go do a conference with a supplier face to face, it was hard and I should have waxed before, learn and live.
Thanks all