How can I convince my dental phobic mother to go to the dentist?

November 5th, 2012
Q.

Hi Jennifer,
I have a problem with my mother. I currently live with her as I just finished University. She is absolutely petrified of going to the dentist and hasn’t been for many years. Her teeth are not as bad as they could be but currently she is suffering with toothache and just keeps taking painkillers. They don’t seem to be working and I can tell she is trying to hide the fact she is in pain as she knows I will tell her she needs to go to the dentist. Do you have any advice on how I can finally get her to actually physically step into a dental clinic? I am worried about her, but have no clue where to start with her fear. Thank you.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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How can I overcome my swallowing problem?

November 1st, 2012
Q.

Hi Jennifer, this may sound ridiculous but here is my problem: for as long as I can remember I’ve had problems with my throat and swallowing. I know it’s a psychological thing because I’ve been tested by my doctor. Anyway, I’ve avoided the dentist for around 6 years now and so my teeth are in a real state, I remember the last time I went, I had the urge to keep swallowing when my mouth was open but couldn’t and instead kept making these horrible choking sounds and felt as though I was suffocating. My dentist was lovely and tried to help but I just walked out of the practice. Please can you give me some advice, it’s taking over my life and now my health :( thank you.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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I’m petrified of being put to sleep but I have some serious dental issues, what should I do?

October 31st, 2012
Q.

i have a broken down tooth with a l shape root that needs removing, i am so nervous my dentist reffered me to the hospital, and i didnt attend as even the fought of being put to sleep makes me feel as if i will have a stroke, i now have a lump on the side of my gum , my face isnt swollen and i have no pain, tho today i feel like it is swollen around my cheek, nose, like a sensation of pressure, i know i need to phone the surgery, and i am hyperventilating thinking about it, i seriously need help, i keep thinking the worst, i know if i ask on the phone if i will just get antibiotics they will tell me that ill have to see what the dentist says 1st, because i have no pain i have been putting it off for a couple of weeks, i no i have to go , i cant phyically do it :( i managed 3 fillings 2 years ago and did my self proud, then i had an extraction and it all went wrong, and had to have a wisdom tooth out and ended up a mess afterwards, my tooth needs drilling and gum slicing a little, x

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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I’ve had sensitive teeth after drilling of my teeth and I hate the whole experience. Can you advise?

October 29th, 2012
Q.

I have ever been. Fan of the dentist so two years ago, after a three year gap, I went for a checkup. My dentist established I needed two fillings; one small one on my back bottom right tooth, and one between my teeth on the first molar in the top left. I went back to get the work Dobson two split appointments. The first one was so small I didn’t even have an injection for. It tickled but it was done and I was happy. The second one he advised id definitely need an injection for. He did it, my mouth numbed, started work, but it was very painful so I stopped him. He then did a second injection and started again-but I could still feel pain and I practically sho out the chair. He couldn’t understand as he was drilling to the edge of the tooth, not the nerve. He asked me if I wanted a third on the roof of my mouth or if I could take it for 45 seconds with as many breaks as I needed. I opted for the second choice as I knew the first would sting like hell. Anyway he completed the work but it was sensitiv as hell. He advised me that maybe the tooth was sensitive and I might experience sensitivity from now on, which I do. But I’m concerned that it is like that as none of my other filled teeth are sensitive. I’ve been back twice for my six month chck up as I’ve finally learnt the value of preventative chck ups. Last week he said he had concerns about a couple if shadow be wanted to X-ray my whol mouth-but as my husband lost his job money is a bit tight so I asked him to X-ray th right side only, and he came back said they are nothing to worry abiut. He said he would do the left next check up but I’m afraid if he finds that other tooth needs work again that it will be as painful as before. He is good with me and he allows me to stop and break when I need and he knows Im a total wimp as well. Just this one is bugging me as I’ve never had sensitiv teeth be I’m not sure if it’s that or if something else may b causing the niggling. My background-got top teeth out of line as orthodontist scared m when I was a kid. Had four wisdom teeth extracted in hospital in 2005. Had five fillings in my life, plus four teeth extracted as a child to make room. Parents teeth are also weak-mum is phobic, dad is a rhino and just sits there and takes any work on the chin with zero fear. Been with my dentist for 17 years, private patient, afraid to try new dentist as cant find one around here that deals with wimps sympathetically.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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I had a bad experience with brace treatment and haven’t been to the dentist in 7 years, what should I do?

October 17th, 2012
Q.

Hi,

Ever since having braces in my teens I have been terrified of dentists and have not been for 7 years. I have started getting quite large dark patches/holes on my teeth and its really affecting me as I am too scared to see a dentist. I know I need to do it but I am so scared and also I am worried about my financial situation at the same time which doesnt help.

What can I do?

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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My dentist didn’t notice the small hole in between my front teeth, I’m scared that if I leave it it’ll get much worse, what should I do?

October 17th, 2012
Q.

Hi Jennifer, I went for a check up just last week because I was worried about one of my front teeth, it has a small hole in between one of the very front teeth and the smaller one directly next to it. I was told I needed 3 fillings at the back of my mouth but he didn’t say anything about the front tooth. It’s been 3 years since I’ve been to the dentist because I’m scared and I built myself up thinking he would suggest pulling the front tooth out or something but he didn’t! I’m really scared now, i’ve got to go back in about a month’s time, I am with the NHS and I don’t know what I should do. Thank you for any advice.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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If I have gingivitis, what dental treatments are still okay for me to receive?

October 2nd, 2012
Q.

If I have gingivitis, what dental treatments are still okay for me to have? And what effect will these treatments have on my gums? How will gingivitis affect the various dental treatments that I have already had….what should I not be receiving while I have gingivitis? I require other dental treatments that I feel require more attention than my gums at this present moment. Thank you.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

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How long will I have to wait for referral appointment?

October 2nd, 2012
Q.

Hi there Jennifer, I was wondering if you could tell me on average how long will I have to wait for a referral appointment? I am going to the dentist on Friday 28th sept for the first time in over 20 years I know I will need a lot of work as 90% of my teeth are either broken or rotten down to the gum line, due to a dental phobia. I called your clinic and they advised me I would need a referral, I was wondering how long it would take for me to receive a consultation/treatment after the dentist made my referral?
Many thanks for your time.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

View My Profile Dr Pinder

I tried to have new teeth fitted on 3 different occasions but I suffer from a sensitive gag reflex, can I be sedated during treatment?

October 2nd, 2012
Q.

Hello, i had my teeth removed 8yrs ago age 22 and have been without teeth since. I did go and get fitted on 3 separate occasions but my gag reflex is too much for me to handle so each time i walked out, even the thought of getting it done makes me panic and gag. Can i be sedated? I am desperate for teeth has i have no social life because of it and my children want to see me smile again, please help.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

View My Profile Dr Pinder

I have had extractions which caused me to bleed heavily in the past, are there any techniques available that can stop this?

October 2nd, 2012
Q.

Dear Dr Pinder
I have a terrible dental phobia, and need treatment, after not visiting the dentist for over ten years.
I know that I will need extractions. My problem is that when I have had extractions in the past, I have bled heavily even though my dentist has stitched my gums after removing the tooth. This is frightening me so much, that I cannot seek help. Are there any new techniques that help stop such blood loss following extractions. I do not have any disorders that cause me to bleed this way , except after dental surgery. Thank you for your time.

dr jennifer pinder

Dr Jennifer Pinder

Bupa Dental Centre
36-38 Cornhill, London, EC3V 3ND
Web: www.dentistforphobics.co.uk Tel: 0207 200 5800

View My Profile Dr Pinder