Did I just go crazy? DIY Dentistry

[odette]

I seriously think I just went crazy, seriously...just from the pain in my mouth and the fear of dentists and the stress and frustration of said pain and fear.

I was at home alone tonight and started obsessing about my teeth because I was in so much pain and I literally couldn't stand it any longer, so I marched my ass into the bathroom and started to inspect the damage inside my mouth (between wiping down the foggy mirror).

I guess I'm "lucky" because my broken teeth are at the back and my visible teeth at the front look descent, but my cheek has become a little puffy. This made me panic more because obviously with this visible sign of my problem it would be harder to soldier up and hide the fact that I'm suffering from people (I know that sounds stupid but it's the soldier in me who is extremely prideful and doesn't want to admit to anyone there is a problem).

At any rate, I started to become more upset at this and one thing led to another and I decided to do my own intervention into the problem with a pair if pincers to pull out a shard of tooth which released some blood and gunk in the process.

I know that sounds completely insane that I would just do something like DIY dentistry and it freaks me out and I'm scared I'm going crazy. If I had the proper tools ( a reasonable pair of pliers I probably would try an extraction but even the little bit a did do -- with alcohol -- was extremely painful!

I'm scared I just lost my mind. Like that is such a crazy thing to do. Am I going crazy?

The worst is, my best friend in the world and my confidant caught me in the act by coming home before I could clean up and he was completely horrified and was freaking out, then said this was insane. I feel even worse now cuz I don't know what is going to happen when he comes back to talk to me about it when he gets composed.

Everything about this phobia is so insane. I'm scared and frustrated and ashamed of myself. I think I'm going crazy.

[Gummin It]

Groovy bro , take care of them while you have....

[rubyshoes]

odette I could seriously freak you out with some of the things I've done in DIY dentistry I thought I was crazy too but it worked and that's all I cared about for many years (I will add that some of the things I did seriously made the rot much worse).

It's a terrible fear and I found the more DIY I did the more it fed the fear. And nothing anyone says makes a difference even if you know what they're saying is true but at some point you turn a corner and somehow find the courage a bit at a time and in my experience that's the time you start to look for a dentist. There's a lot of sympathy out there for our fear now and lots of ways to help cope with it. Dentistry really has changed took me 30 years to realise it

ruby

[Stress Doc]

Hi Odette:

That takes much more bravery than going through any dental treatment I can think of. I would not say you are insane, crazy, mal-adjusted or anything else. I will say I think you are ready for change. Change comes from one of two reasons, inspiration or desperation.

I can tell you have the courage and bravery to deal with dental treatment. You just need to believe in yourself and your ability. Avoiding the fear makes it worse. I am not ridiculing you or think you are weak. We all have fear. I like the following quote from one of our greatest generals in WWII, General Patton.

"If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened."

General George S. Patton

It is OK to be afraid and seek support. If I can help you in any way, please let me know.

Blessings

[odette]

I've really done it now. David finally lost it in his frustration with having to deal with me scared and in pain. We were in the kitchen and he just started yelling and I know it was because he is frustrated and he can't take seeing me in pain anymore.

I feel just so awful. Tomorrow, I'll get in touch with that dentist I saw on base and I don't care if he or his staff holds me down.

[brit]

Originally Posted by odette

I've really done it now. David finally lost it in his frustration with having to deal with me scared and in pain. We were in the kitchen and he just started yelling and I know it was because he is frustrated and he can't take seeing me in pain anymore.

I feel just so awful. Tomorrow, I'll get in touch with that dentist I saw on base and I don't care if he or his staff holds me down.

No, find yourself a kind caring dentist who has sedation if you want it...just any dentist will not cure your fear...if anyone holds you down, you make sure you sue them though...that would be assault.
Where are you..the middle of nowhere? There must be loads of reputable painfree dentists to choose from and take David along to hold your hand in the treatment room....you do not have to do this alone and unsupported.