Irrational fears and Dental Impressions?

bring music(mp3 player) blast it, and don’t watch them prepare it.

Ugh, I’m right there with you. I have an ultra-sensitive gag reflex – I had to get whole-mouth impressions made once and a blob of that grey goo started to drip down the top of my throat, triggering the gag. My eyes were watering, I felt like I was suffocating and about to puke – full-on panic mode. I was frantically gesturing to the nurse & dentist – they basically told me to deal with it, it’ll be over in ten minutes.

In retrospect, some breathing & meditation techniques I’ve learned would have been helpful. It’s mind over matter.

Still gags me though.

I am terrible about that too. I don’t have any good solution but one time I actually bit my dentist. I didn’t mean to….really!!! But some primal instinct came over me and before I knew whatcwas happening I was chomping on his finger.
I am not a very good patient!

I know they’re awful. Just relax, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and picture yourself in some wonderful place. Before you know it, it will be all over. The impression materials they use now are designed to harden quicker. You’ll do fine!

I’ve had dental impressions done on several occasions (I hated each and every experience) and I can’t add anything else to the great advice given above except for one thing: MAKE SURE you breath through your nose during the whole process and not the mouth. The dentist recommended that to me each time and it made a big difference in that it kept me from retching.

I just heard from my daughter, who had an impression made today, that the orthodontist introduced her to a great way to stifle the gag reflex (and she has a doozy). He had her touch the tip of her tongue to a bit of salt just before taking the impression, and she says it worked great!

Incredulous, I googled it, and it does seem to be widely used.

One thing, for sure, is to make them leave you sitting up straight and not leaning back. Also I think it is helpful to know exactly how long it has to set and to watch a clock or even see the timer so you know exactly how much longer you have to hang on. I always feel some relief when I pass the halfway mark.

For my daughter they have her sit upright and also tip her head to look down at the floor when they do it. That way none of the gunk goes down your throat. This worked wonderfully for her…she’s not even afraid of it anymore!

Thank you all for your suggestions. I heard about salt on the tongue, seems like that would make me gag before they even put the stuff in my mouth! I will try to incorporate all your ideas PLUS a xanax, maybe then I can face it!

Good luck rooey!

I would also insist on classing this one as a rational fear.