I Have This Phobia
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (179674)
Boise, Idaho
April 21, 2024 3:47pm CST
Well, actually I have several. This particular one is called Odontophobia. It is the irrational fear of teeth or dental surgery. Ugh! I have had this since about 2010. I experience a very high amount of anxiety simply thinking about being in the dentist's chair. I did have a full examination done about 5 years ago. It would cost $9000 to take care of my mouth. Dentures and such. With my new insurance, I might be able to get them a little cheaper. (My daughter got hers for free being on Medicaid) But, here's the deal. I am 72 years old. Why spend thousands of dollars on new dentures when I don't know how much longer I have on this Earth? It's not like I have a job or am a social butterfly. I never venture out so these 5 teeth I have are fine. They would have to sedate me if they were going to do anything in my mouth.
The image is courtesy of Gettyimages.com.
9 people like this
11 responses
@kaylachan (79491)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Apr 24
I am the same way. I haven't been to the dentist in twenty years and I don't plan to start. If my teeth fall out, they fall out. Unless they get seriously infected, I'm not going and that's that.
3 people like this
@xFiacre (14334)
• Ireland
21 Apr 24
@celticeagle My wife is so fearful she has to be sedated for treatment. I don’t mind the dentist - I just lie there with my mouth open and the dentist does all the hard work. I even had an extraction without anaesthetic once - loads of fun. It’s the financial pain that concerns me. Next week I’m getting dentures to replace my front 4 teeth. Implants were suggested but that would have cost £7000!!!! No way am I paying that amount of money for teeth at 66 years old.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
Your poor wife. I know what she is feeling. Implants are expensive but they do look nice. Yeah, at 60s or 70s it is just dumb to pay thousands.
@LeaPea2417 (38402)
• Toccoa, Georgia
21 Apr 24
I'm not afraid of the dentist or dental surgery.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (88898)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Apr 24
Yep, I totally agree with you, I have many dental problems but all my lower teeth are my own and some other as well, I do not got out often and when I do no one looks in my mouth, It would cost a fortune for me to even get one thing done so I leave it all alone, have not pain, and I can eat that is enough for me,
2 people like this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
Good to hear that you have no pain. I have bits of teeth sticking up and it does get painful. It would cost a fortune to get much done in my mouth as well. I can eat a lot of what I like so that is good.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
@sabtraversa ........This is true.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (200670)
• United States
22 Apr 24
I go every 6 months; and it makes the appointments that much more bearable. The worst part, to me, are the novocaine shots. I've gradually gotten over my intense fear of the dentist. Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
You've gotten over it? That is great.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Apr 24
@LindaOHio .......You're very lucky.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (200670)
• United States
23 Apr 24
@celticeagle Yes, because I go every 6 months; and the dentist hardly ever hurts me.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (95997)
• Arvada, Colorado
22 Apr 24
It doesn't seem irrational though...it makes perfect sense.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Apr 24
@LadyDuck .......That's for sure.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (483422)
• Italy
23 Apr 24
@celticeagle It is never pleasant and it is also expensive.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (122334)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Apr 24
You would feel better if you get those out at least.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
And then have no teeth? No, thank you.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (21037)
• United States
23 Apr 24
I have been to the dentist in a long time. I don't have fear, but once Covid hit I was scared to go.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (36940)
•
22 Apr 24
I have the same problem. The dentist removed 4 teeth at once without my approval. I almost fainted there. I have to take medication to go to the dentist. Being there is extremely stressful for me. I had to say that I was going to call an ambulance if she was going to extract 4 teeth at once. I don't think it's an irrational fear because being at the dentist can be painful.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (179674)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr 24
I agree. I wish I had a mouth full of nice teeth but these five are all I have left. I've had some bad experiences with dentists.
