How much pain should I expect at the dentist tomorrow?

I don’t think it will hurt like hell. You certainly can take some tylenol or ibuprofen if you are nervous. Do not take aspirin it will increase bleeding.

Is the reason you have not been for a cleaning because you generally are afraid of the dentist, and it typically is very painful for you?

Personally I HATE the dentist, but I can’t say I have ever felt any pain really. I fear the lack of control and the unknown purpose of the tools they use, but I can’t really say I have experienced pain there.

My dentist out in Spain, Dr. Walter always made sure I never felt a thing, they have many kinds of pain killers and anasthetics, no doubt they will use whatever pain killer is appropriate for your treatement.

Last time I had my teeth cleaned at the dentist he used a lazer to clean them, and I did not feel a single thing, I would compare what I felt to the feeling of shining a flash light in your mouth.

@WillWorkForChocolate I’d rather pass a couple of kidney stones then face what your in for. Seriously, I wouldn’t sweat it. They’ve become so advanced at doing these with as little discomfort as possible it will amaze you. Relax. It’ll be fine.

@JLeslie No, I haven’t been because it’s expensive and we don’t have insurance. I recently purchased just dental insurance, out of pocket, strictly because my husband needs to go and my oldest will soon need braces. But I decided to take advantage and make an appointment for myself since it’s been so long. I’ve got great teeth, I just know they need to be cleaned. Especially since I’ve been smoking for 20 years.

Tell them that you’re concerned I’ve found when I use the word “terrified” they actually become very sweet and maternal and they may even be willing to novocaine you, or use the nitrous. There will be some discomfort, they’ll scrape and pick at stuff, but hey, it’s kinda like getting ink…just Zen out and it’ll be over soon.

Poor sweetie!

@JilltheTooth Thanks hon. I find that I have weird differences between which sorts of pain I can tolerate. Tattoos and piercings don’t really bother me, except for the tats down my ribcage OUCH, but I curse like a sailor when I stub my toe. I remember how sore my mouth was when I got braces and that I couldn’t eat for 2 days. Apparently I have a fairly low tolerance for dental pain. I’m just wondering if I’ll be cursing my poor dentist tomorrow, LOL.

@WillWorkForChocolate In that case I think it will be no big deal, really.

I had just had a conversation woth my dental hygienist recently asking about people who are afraid of the dentist, and she said they are terrified of the pain. I wondered out loud if maybe it is actually more painful for them, or if they are being just phobic. Anyway, if when you were younger you had no problem, I think it won’t be a big deal.

You can always stop them if you get very uncomfortable. You are in control. They can switch to another side of your mouth to help tolerate any discomfort you might be having, and then go back. But, I really think it won’t be very bad. Let them know how long it has been when you book the appointment.

For me the xrays are more painful than anything. And the tickly from the polishing makes me want to leap out of my seat. LOL.

@WillWorkForChocolate : Why yes, yes you will. They’ll forgive you, as long as you don’t bite or kick…

@WillWorkForChocolate Braces are completely different. Everyone can’t eat for 48 hours. They are moving your teeth into a new position.

And @JLeslie , there’s often a very good reason why some of us are afraid of the pain that has nothing to do with phobic. Some of us have extraordinarily sensitive teeth, it’s a bit like someone rubbing or poking a burn on your skin.

@JilltheTooth That’s what I said. That maybe they really do feel more pain during a dentist visit than someone like me.

Unless the dentist brings out a jackhammer, I wouldn’t worry a bit. Lol. Expect a lot pressure and probably some bleeding but that’s just a sign stuck food particles are being extracted from where they are deep and tight in the gums. Get in that room holding a bar of chocolate and focus on enjoying it immediately after the cleaning. Goodluck!

Have your teeth become more sensitive over the years, any big concerns in there that you know of (like broken teeth). I hadn’t seen a dentist for 5 years and finally got the courage to go and fix a filling that fell about 2 years prior. They did the x-rays and told me I needed 8 fillings and a root canal with crown. I’m actually going tomorrow to get it all done with a cleaning but it wont hurt at all since I have opted for sedation (4 hours scheduled eww).

I don’t think your cleaning itself will hurt as much as it will be uncomfortable, but on the other hand if you are having scaling done, that will hurt a bit and will be pretty sore afterwards too.

@mazingerz88 Oh shit, they use jackhammers now?

@WillWorkForChocolate Only if there isn’t room to swing the pickaxe.
By the way yours are spectacular.

??????? I’m confused now.

They heard about the shovel. They’re afraid.

I don’t think you’ll experience the pain that you’re talking about. Normal cleaning doesn’t give you any pain. If they have to do something more, then they’ll obviously provide you with painkillers. No pain while you’re on the seat though. Pain usually comes when you get home, that is if you get a root canal for example. The painkillers do work, but at the same time the pain is extensive and takes a lot of time.
Good Luck!!

As we speak, you are getting your teeth beautimoused… Do tell us how it went when you get back!!!

Oh dear God. The lady scraped up underneath my gums, then injected these little antibiotic capsules up into my gums, under the teeth, two per tooth. I can feel the offending objects up in my gums… feels like I have a 6 oz steak stuck between every tooth.

I expected pain since it had been so long, so perhaps that prepared me for it a little bit, but holy frikkin hell, it hurt like crazy and my mouth is still sore. It’s 100% my fault because I neglected my mouth for so long, and that poor lady was trying to be gentle and used numbing gel that didn’t work, hahaha.

She did say that my teeth are in remarkable condition, considering I’m a smoker and haven’t had my teeth cleaned in 14 years. There’s no problem with my teeth at all, she just had to do a major cleaning for all the calculus under my gums. Oi vey.

So there’s your update. My teeth are still healthy, my gums are all clean now, and I hurt like hell, lol. I’ll never neglect my mouth like that again.

Well, your diction is excellent and your not lisping, great job for someone with a sore mouth! Poor sweetie, a bunch of Advil will help, and ice cream is definitely on the menu for pain relief!

LOL, I’m lithping a little bit, but ith better than it wath earlier. I took thome ibuprofen and a lovely poth-thurgery remedy called Arnica. I feel tho muth better now.

And I’m thill going to my midnight movie, dammit! A thore mouth can’t keep me away from the thparkly vampireth!

An excellent distraction, that!