Dentist anxiety

[Unmasking]

Hi the dentist causes me so much anxiety.
My dentist is not very sympathetic at all, making me wait 3 weeks with a broken tooth etc.
I have been looking for dentists that specialise in autism.
It doesn’t seem to be a thing? Or have you had more luck?

Thank you

 

[Tom]

That's not an unusual time at all to wait for an appointment. As long as the issue does not involve pain to the patient or run the risk of complications (ie infection, loss of tooth, etc). If it is one of those more serious issues I would definately try and get a different dentist.

The discomfort in the dentist chair is not pleasent but is needed to preserve your ability to chew and eat and can save you from more serious issues and pain if left untreated. I try not to focus on dreading the dentist but instead appreciating their work and am thankful for the pain they prevent me from having down the road.

In the chair I practice relaxation techniques like regular deep breathing. Sometimes squeeze one hand with the other. I converse with and get to know the staff. I try to make jokes. As a game I try and not show any reaction to pain (but don't always succeed).

 

[Unmasking]

That's not an unusual time at all to wait for an appointment. As long as the issue does not involve pain to the patient or run the risk of complications (ie infection, loss of tooth, etc). If it is one of those more serious issues I woukd definately try and get a different dentist.

The discomfort in the dentist chair is not pleasent but is needed to preserve your ability to chew and eat and can save you from more serious issues and pain if left untreated. I try not to focus on dreading the dentist but instead appreciating their work and am thankful for the pain they prevent me from having down the road.

In the chair I practice relaxation techniques like regular deep breathing. Sometimes squeeze one hand with the other. I converse with and get to know the staff. I try to make jokes. As a game I try and not show any reaction to pain (but don't always succeed).

Thanks for the reply I am wondering if autistic friendly dentists exist and if so where to find them

 

[VictorR]

Thanks for the reply I am wondering if autistic friendly dentists exist and if so where to find them

Some may openly advertise as being anxiety friendly (and may offer options like having work done under sedation, though that can be costly), and others may also be gentler in their approaches in general but might not be found aside from word of mouth.

If there are any ASD, general disability, or anxiety support organizations in your area, try reaching out to them for suggestions.

 

[VictorR]

In the chair I practice relaxation techniques like regular deep breathing. Sometimes squeeze one hand with the other. I converse with and get to know the staff. I try to make jokes. As a game I try and not show any reaction to pain (but don't always succeed).

Having a comfort item (e.g. stuffed animal) or a stim toy may also be helpful as well.

 

[Judge]

The Good: Nothing like a hefty dose of nitrus oxide to alleviate such anxiety. When all you can do is smile.

The Bad: A dental practice that may not even use nitrus oxide.

The Ugly: Those who prey on patients charging exorbitant prices for inadequate amounts of nitrus oxide.


* At one time or another I've encountered all three considerations.

 

[Judge]

My dentist is not very sympathetic at all, making me wait 3 weeks with a broken tooth etc.

Look for a general practice dentist that advertises doing emergency services. They might be able to get you in earlier. And consider avoiding those who seem to do mostly cosmetic dentistry. Who may prioritize the highest paying customers over those fundamentally needing help to alleviate pain.

 

[Fino]

If it's extreme enough, you can get a mild (or not so mild, depending on severity) medication just for when you need to go to the dentist.

 

[Judge]

If it's extreme enough, you can get a mild (or not so mild, depending on severity) medication just for when you need to go to the dentist.

Orajel works pretty good as a temporary anesthetic, and is an OTC product. I always keep a tube in the medicine cabinet.

https://www.orajel.com/

 

[tazz]

In the UK it is possible to be referred to a primary care dentist which is a service geared up for people who have problems attending mainstream dentist services - such as those with neurodivergence like autism. I've requested a referral - just waiting on the response.

 

[Fino]

Orajel works pretty good as a temporary anesthetic, and is an OTC product. I always keep a tube in the medicine cabinet.

https://www.orajel.com/

I was thinking more for the anxiety, unless you were too, because I'm not familiar with that product.

 

[Suzanne]

Me too feel the same way and our current dentist is one I wonder how on earth he has not been arrested and put away, that is how awful he is!

I think that you have to state before you go on the torture chair, that you are on the autism spectrum and suffer anxiety, and maybe, then the evil dentist, will perhaps go more gently.

I have often said and still stand by it: take all my teeth out and put false ones in! Afterall, they are tons easier to clean and no teeth decay; well, as long as one takes care of their gums.

I stupidly listened to a dentist once and worse still, the dentist was a she and was the nicest dentist one could meet and even played music in the background. She said that some of my teeth, ought to be pulled, due to acid erosion ( acid reflux) and I deeply regret listening to that, because it was a living nightmare! I had to go elsewhere due to amount of teeth to be removed ( 4) and he was barbaric. He ignored my hand protest and even got on top of me to get a better grip on my tooth and consequently, I have a crooked loose tooth ( he pushed it aside) and gum erosion.

I discovered that particles of food stuck, is what causes tooth decay. So, now I swirl my mouth out, 10 mins after I have eaten.

The one blessing, is that it is my bottom row that are not great, but it is the back row which most of my teeth are missing, so for the most part, I get away with not having a horrible smile.

 

[Judge]

I was thinking more for the anxiety, unless you were too, because I'm not familiar with that product.

Nope, Orajel really does work well and is intended strictly as an anesthetic.

It's the nitrus oxide that works way more for anxiety.