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Post by Josh Combs on Oct 2, 2005 23:03:53 GMT -5
i have realized recently just how frightened i have been of dentistry my whole life, but i have also realized that i think that it is something deeper. for as long as i can remember i have hated brushing my teeth, i don't know why i just have. so, most of the time i don't. which of course leads to dental problems which i am frightened of. now i am realizing that i think that i have an extreme phobia of oral fixations against my teeth. i realized that the only thing i can do that doesn't drive me crazy is chew, i can chew just fine. but i think i figured out that this is because chewing is the only action that isn't against my teeth, my teeth are against it. so, essentially i can stand my teeth against something else, but i absolutely can't stand anything against my teeth, including brushing. but, if i don't brush how am i going to keep myself from needing painful dental care, which frightens me the most. i need help, what do i do?
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Post by SoSoScared on Oct 3, 2005 3:11:45 GMT -5
Hi, like you I have a mixture of phobias so don't feel you are the only one. Different people have different dislikes and likes but of course as you say, one may lead to another in your case if you are unable to clean your teeth.
Is it just the action of the toothbrush you hate? The bristles for example brushing against your teeth. Would you be able to use dental floss if you tried it do you think - i.e. placing something between your teeth (don't worry if you can't most people I know gave up with it long ago!!).
How about the dental type chewing gums, can you try using them, they should help over conventional chewing gum.
Are you teeth already starting to decay or are they okay so far? Do you need work done now or are you thinking you soon will?
Have you been to the dentist at all? The good thing about actual treatment is that the teeth can be numbed so you don't feel anything touching them. I'm sure if you explained your problem to a dentist he would be able to accommodate examining your teeth as far as possible - though I appreciate at this stage you may not want to think that far ahead.
I wonder if there is something you could try that temporarily numbs the teeth? Bonjela in the UK has that effect I believe. If you tried that on a couple of your teeth maybe you could give them a good clean and then try another couple, etc.
Can you actually touch your own teeth or is that horrible also?
Don't feel alone in your fears. We are all the same on here in terms of being scared - of lots of different things!
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Post by keith on Oct 3, 2005 5:33:19 GMT -5
Josh, I know you hate brushing have ya try use finger rub your teeth or dental gum since if ya dont brush your teeth they will go bad and you will be sorry with dental treatments. How old are you? I think ya need try brush but dont think fear and try beat the fear. I know when i didnt brush i went to dentist and i had fear visit any dentist and when i seen him. His staff very friendly and got me calm and i even said i dont want denture but i learn if i took care of my teeth i would have naturals on top instead denture. But i back taking care of my bottom teeth now so i dont get denture on bottom. My dentist when he was done all treatmeants he was shock i was very good person and didnt got too scare on any treatment and he was good giving me oral sedation too.
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