I'm going to the dentist and am petrified!!!?

I have a very sensitive gag reflex and haven't been able to have x-rays for about 4 years because of this. I just can't tolerate the bitewings. I'm going this friday because I think I have a cavity and I'm petrified.





Is there anything special I can ask the dental hygenist to do so that I won't gag...or at least to limit the amount of gagging that I have? I see those bitewings and I start to have panic attacks, then they say I don't have to take them because I'm freaking out. But I KNOW I have to take them or else I'm going to wind up losing all my teeth.





This is a new dentist that practices modern dentistry (I think).





Tips?

I'm going to the dentist and am petrified!!!?
Have you spoken to the dentist or the hygenist about this yet? I see that you said this is a new dentist but didn't know if you had already been. I doubt you are the first person to experience this. I'm not a fan of the bitewings either. They hurt more than anything and feel like they are being shoved to the very back of the mouth. I would speak to the dentist/dental hygenist and see if there is anything they can recommend.





My husband had cancer and when he had his chemo he was always sick. So, when he would brush his teeth and try to brush his tongue it made him feel like he was gonna throw up. So that has carried over to the present. Unfortunatly, when he brushes his teeth, he still feels like he is gonna gag.





If the dentist doesn't have any suggestions, maybe speak with your physician and see if there is any type of therapy or anything that can help. Maybe don't think about it so much. Take and ipod or something like that to keep your mind busy. Don't psych yourself out.





Good luck
Reply:My dentist uses kid xrays on me because of my gag reflex. or ask to have them numb your tongue with a topical numbing agent beforehand, believe it or not that should pretty much kill your gag reflex.
Reply:laughing gas? it helps my mom. It calms you down (not sure if you'll be able to do it with the x-rays though).
Reply:Brush your teeth alot and flosss mouthwash etc before you go so that it will be easier on them so you can be done quicker
Reply:Breathe thru your nose. #1 best tip ever. Mentally talk yourself thru it and just keep breathing thru your nose.
Reply:Just tell him your very nervous and that you need to get that sip of water before you gag so he knows whats goin on
Reply:I also hate the dentist, but when my dentist takes bitewings, she tells me to breathe slowly and deeply and to focus on something else. It helps me - hope it works for you too. Good luck.
Reply:The dentist can desensitize your throat with a spray. That will help to reduce or eliminate the gag reflex for your bitewing.
Reply:do you gag when you brush your teeth? if not, this may be all mental. having panic attacks doesn't help much. try to relax. i know that it is hard. it was hard for me until i was about 13 and i realized this. what i tell my patients when i take their xrays is to breath through their nose like they're smelling flowers. nice slow deep breaths. after they bite down on the xray, i tell them that i can't hear the deep breaths and they concentrate on breathing deeper so i can hear. then it is over and they gain more confidence. this works for me 80% of all gag reflex patients and i work with children.
Reply:make sure your dentist specializes in dealing with babies like us. I HATE the dentist! She gives me a prescription for valuim and i start taking it the day before my appointment so it has time to kick in.





call the dentist and talk to them in advance so they can prepare you (and themselves).