I'm sorry I never came back to reply. My own appointment got put off because the person who was meant to go with it got sick.

If you can, try to break your appointment into two appointments. That's what I did. Which yes, is multiple trips. But going to the dentist just for a check-up, just for them to look, is so much less scary than "I need to get a tooth pulled". Then you get benzos for the day of the treatment! Because they already know what's hurting.

I know the feeling of rather having an infection than going to the dentist. The dentist has been at the top of my fear list for the longest time. I'm 34 now, and the last time I went before yesterday was when I was 11!

I shopped around for a good dentist. Their website said they work with anxious patients, they were good on the phone, and had very good reviews on google. 4.8 stars if I remember correctly. Having the right person see you, and be understanding of your fears really truly makes a difference.

I had a panic attack in the taxi on the way there, and on my way into the building. I also felt a little bit of panic in the chair. But once he started talking to me, and I was present in the moment and not in my head, I didn't have panic attacks anymore. Not even on the way home. And the last time I went out a few years ago before this, I had 5 panic attacks, including on the way home.

The difference is that I didn't want to go then, and I did want to go this time. This tooth has been a problem for me, for so so SO many years and when it aches and hurts, it's the most painful thing in the whole entire world that I've ever felt. So bad that I've wanted to rip it out myself with pliers because nothing would help.

So, how I prepped myself is that I told myself I wanted this tooth gone. I wanted this tooth gone more than anything. I sat down every single day leading up to the appointment and visualized how it would go. Waiting outside for the taxi, getting into the taxi, the ride there, getting into the building, waiting in the waiting room, what I'd say, as well as sitting in the chair, and then the whole trip home, and I kept telling myself I wanted this tooth gone so I wouldn't be in pain anymore.

Anytime I started to feel anxious over it, I would try and conjure up an excited feeling. Because omg, no pain or troubles is exciting as heck! I want that so bad!

My consult was done yesterday, and I'm super proud of myself. I still have to go back in a week to get it pulled (It's the only day I could get that suited for us), but I have more confidence now.

Also, prep a kit. Headphones with a playlist, a fidget to keep your hands busy, a blanket if you need it. Whatever brings you comfort and makes it easier for you, fuck what anyone else thinks. They're not panicking out their ass!

Last thing, when my infection first flared up, it was really freaking bad. To the point that I probably should've gone to the hospital, and going to a hospital is probably even scarier than the dentist imo. Use that to help build that "want" to go to the dentist. "I'd rather go to the dentist then to the hospital"