Fear of the Dentist

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I can't remember a time that I wasn't fearful of going to the dentist. They say that when you have a bad experience with the dentist at an early age that it carries over to your adulthood. This is true with me. With a raging toothache and infection causing swelling in my face, I entered the office of a dentist that my friend recommended. The smell of the office nearly drove me back out the door. The receptionist greeted me with a friendly hello and asked me to take a seat. Once in the office with the dentist and assistant by my side, I began to interview him. I wanted to know everything. He said I needed a root canal. I asked how much pain I would be in. He said that a root canal was much like labor pains. I sat up from the chair and was ready to leave. He stopped me and with a laugh explained further. No labor is the same and no root canal is the same. That was honest enough. I then told him of my fear of needles. I told him that before he was even going to think of giving me a needle he needed to make sure that I would not see or even hear speak the word "needle". I told him that I had great peripheral vision. He laughed and promised me he would do his best. With a prescription for anti-biotics and an appointment card in hand, I left the dentist's office. The following month I returned. As I entered the office, again the smell that wafted through my nostrils nearly drove me back out the door. The receptionist greeted me with a smile and even started having a conversation with me. Within a few minutes the dental assistant called my name. My palms grew clammy, my heart began to race. I took a deep breath and followed her to the back room. As I sat in the chair, I gazed at the butterfly mobile that hung on the ceiling along with the butterfly posters. I took another deep breath. The procedure began. The dentist and assistant were talking with me about my kids. The dentist revealed that he too had twins. He talked while he was preparing me for the inevitable. He put a clovey tasting substance in my mouth and waited a few minutes. Then he told me to close my eyes. Breathing through my nose, I found it was a little painful, but within a few seconds bearable. Once the procedure was over, I released my deathgrip on the arms of the chair. I sat slowly up and swung my legs over the side of the chair. I had to sit for a few minutes to get my bearings. Once settled I thanked them. It wasn't so bad. I still use this dentist. He has pretty much gotten me less fearful of dentists. I go every 6 months for my cleaning. I even see him when I have a problem, before it gets worse. Face your fears....who knows, you just may be okay.