Fear of Dentists: Not As Uncommon As I Thought

I have lived just about my entire life in intense fear of the dentist. My last appointment was more than six months ago, and while there I was able to do nothing more than allow the tooth doctor to take a small x-ray.

I don't understand what exactly about this fear is so terrible, that I can't get over it, can't just move on with time. Anyway, I was always under the impression that it was a rather unique fear; that I was completely alone.

But I'm not. I searched it on the web, and there is actually quite a larger group of people than I imagined who suffer from severe phobia of the dentist, some, like me, also find it to be ruining several aspects of their life. (bad breath, fear of traveling far away in case I have a dental emergency and can't find a caring dentist, as well as being reluctant to open my mouth very wide in case someone sees all my cavities.)

I only eat on one side of my mouth, something that I believe has made one side of my jaw considerably stronger, and perhaps even slightly more defined, than the other side.

But anyway, the amazing thing is that now I feel like perhaps I am not completely alone, and next time that I break down and start hyperventilating and screeching like a toddler while trying to get through a very necessary dental procedure, I will at least have the knowledge that I am not the only person in the world that has been through this...

//T.L.//

No of course you are not alone. I'm terrified of the dentist and haven't been in 4 years. I was supposed to get a filling back then well it never happened so I'd hate to know what sort of shape that tooth is in lol.

It's such a relief that you feel the same!
Thank you for talking about it.
Usually people say something along the lines of "oh, that's a pity... you know i feel a little nervous around needles too but just relax and it will all be over."
I get really sad when I read comments like that because it seems like I'm the only person on earth who freaks out desperately when forced to go to the dentist.

Good luck with your teeth, and I hope that we all one day get the strength and the help we need to overcome this problem.

//T.L.//

I like the feeling after your done, but my sister has that enzyme in her mouth and i brush longer, but she has never had a cavity! but the dentist totally freaks me out