I Have This Phobia
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (159452)
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.
11 people like this
13 responses
@sabtraversa (13004)
• Italy
22 Apr
@sallypup Those who don't fear pain either have a rare condition that makes pain receptors malfuction, and it's very dangerous, or are straight psychopaths. 
2 people like this
@sabtraversa (13004)
• Italy
21 Apr
How come this fear is irrational?
I mean... it's quite common and it's perfectly fine to be scared of pain and extreme bills. 
3 people like this
@sallypup (58082)
• Centralia, Washington
21 Apr
@sabtraversa You and I are in total agreement.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
24 Apr
I don't know why they list this as an 'irrational' fear.
1 person likes this
@sabtraversa (13004)
• Italy
24 Apr
@celticeagle I guess all fears are irrational then, because they're emotions and emotions are often deemed to be irrational. 
@kaylachan (58153)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Apr
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
@LeaPea2417 (36500)
• Toccoa, Georgia
21 Apr
I'm not afraid of the dentist or dental surgery.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73675)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Apr
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 (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
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
@xFiacre (12627)
• Ireland
21 Apr
@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 (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
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.
@RebeccasFarm (86833)
• United States
22 Apr
It doesn't seem irrational though...it makes perfect sense.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (458976)
• Switzerland
23 Apr
@celticeagle It is never pleasant and it is also expensive.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95626)
• Marion, Ohio
21 Apr
You would feel better if you get those out at least.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
And then have no teeth? No, thank you.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (18953)
• United States
23 Apr
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
@LindaOHio (157044)
• United States
22 Apr
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 (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
You've gotten over it? That is great.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
23 Apr
@LindaOHio .......You're very lucky.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157044)
• United States
23 Apr
@celticeagle Yes, because I go every 6 months; and the dentist hardly ever hurts me.
1 person likes this
@dya80dya (33641)
•
22 Apr
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 (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
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.
@celticeagle (159452)
• Boise, Idaho
22 Apr
I think we all have something we are afraid of.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (2445)
• Croatia (Hrvatska)
24 Apr
@celticeagle you are right about that.
1 person likes this
