Needed some support and encouragement and maybe just knowing that I'm not the only one that feels this way. I had a pretty bad experience having my biopsy done on my tongue. My tumor was so large within my tongue (almost 50%) that when the doctor was trying to inject novacaine to numb me, it didn't work. They had to use five or six shots, maybe even never and it never numbed. I felt everything, every cut, every stitch...all of it. It was traumatizing because I think going into it, I was still trying to convince myself that this was not a big deal and I could handle it and it would be benign like my first lesion back in 2007.

I'm almost 7 months post op from my partial glossectomy surgery and I have been to one dentist appointment for a cleaning. There was a lot of anxiety but I did okay. But now I think I have a cavity on one of my front teeth (and I know I have more that still need to be filled, we had postponed them due to pregnancy and then the cancer last year). The sensitivity is becoming very uncomfortable and I know I need to see the dentist but I am scared. I'm scared of the novacaine and "being-in-the-chair". Even now, just thinking about it makes my heart race. I know I can call my dentist and talk to her about it because she has become somewhat like a friend to me now. I just don't want to do it. I would rather be put to sleep and wake up then have to sit in that chair with needles and all that nonsense happening in my mouth. Ugh. I just don't want to deal with those procedures right now but I don't want it to get worse and have to have a root canal or worse down the road!

Thanks in advance.

Wow! You sure have been through a lot and certainly not surprising that you are anxious about seeing the dentist again. But your health is so important and putting it off will only add more stress to your life, and with a little one to take care of, it's important for you to be a happy mother for him. Since you are comfortable talking with your dentist, maybe you should tell her how anxious you are in case she could prescribe something to help you relax. You may never even need to have a root canal, but if down the road, it should be necessary I can tell you from experience that when I needed one, my regular dentist sent me to a specialist - an Endodontist. My dentist had given me a prescription for pain pills and my daughter was all set to drive me to my appointment but I never even used the prescription and I drove myself to and from! I think we all thought the root canal would be a terrible ordeal (including me!) but there was no pain at all, not even an uncomfortable feeling. I had another root canal a few months later and it was the same very comfortable experience! Do tell your dentist about all your concerns - she may be able to reassure you and make you feel better about getting your teeth taken care of. Let us know what happens.

I hate to go to the dentist, too! But my dentist is the one who first saw the oral cancer on my tongue, and he got me to an oral sugeon right away for a biopsy. His quick action probably saved my life. Now, because of the radiation damage, I have to go every three - four months. I almost always have cavities, too, and I am more nervous about going there than going to the oncologist, but I know that I have to take care of my teeth, and you do, too. Being afraid of going to the dentist is pretty common, even my ENT surgeon is! I mentioned to him that I hated going to the dentist, and he said that he did, too! I thought that was pretty funny.

The same thing happened to me with my second biopsy. I actually screamed during the procedure. I can see why you were traumatized.

When I had to have 2 molars pulled pre-radiation, the Cancer Center Dentists recommended 'sedation dentistry'. It was great. I have a horrible fear of needles, but they crowded around my arm to put the IV in, so I didn't see it.

It doesn't totally knock you out - you feel no pain and don't really remember anything.

Does your Dentist offer IV sedation?

nitrous or IV would be my thought, good one Shauneen

Called today and they said they can do nitrous. That's the laughing gas, right? Are you conscious for that?

My husband has the same anxiety with the dentist. He sat down with the dentist and talked and Erik has a prescription for Valium. He takes some an hour before and then another as he walks in the office. They also hook him up to the nitrous He obviously needs a driver, but he sure seems to tolerate it better.

You would think with everything I have been through I would not be so afraid of the dentist. I am though. My dentist is very understanding and gives me nitrous before doing anything other than a cleaning. You are conscious with nitrous but it just sort of relaxes you, makes you feel like you are floating. Last time I had a cavity filled I was actually disappointed that he did it so fast. I was actually enjoying my little nitrous vacation. We have to find joy where we can!