Dentist

Living with Parkinson's Daily life
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I have recently had two visits to the dentist lasting over an hour each. How do others manage. Trying to keep my head still and trying not to chock, it’s so frightening, any advice please

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Hi @Sewnya, thank you for your post. We really hope the community gives you some good tips and advice.

We completely understand how frightening the dentist can be when you have Parkinson’s. Please know you are not alone.

If you need to speak to someone or need some support, please do call our free helpline on 0808 800 0303. It’s free and totally confidential and our specialists will be able to offer you advice and signpost you to support that is available to you.

Please do take care and reach out if there is anything we can do.

Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team :blue_heart:

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Hello Sewnya

I do feel for you, it is a dilemma isn’t it? I have found the best thing to do is be upfront with your dentist. My dentist is very understanding and doesn’t put the chair right back so am left sitting with a slight recline; this mskes a huge difference to the feeling that I am going to choke or gag which I get when fully reclined. (As a by the by, I had the same problem when using the baslns at the hairdresser’s, so I now take a shampoo cap with me and the hairdresser uses that instead of washing my hair at the sink) Going back to the original question, I always mention if my involuntary movement is especially bad, but basically she knows it is an issue and is very alert to it. One thing that may work for you is to agree a signal with your dentist - maybe raising an arm - when you need to stop for a breather. I also try to focus on staying still as best I can and to stay calm. If you are starting to find it scary, you will end up dreading dental appointments even more and run the risk of it becoming a self fulfilling prophecy. Another technique that may be worth a try is distraction , not easy I know when at a dental appointment but if you focus on something you can see in the room, or coutdown from 100 (or 500 if you prefer ) to 1 or imagine yourself in a favoutite place concentrating on as much detail as possible, your brain will have other things to keep it occupied . Note this is not nessarily an easy technique, it can need practise, but the practise in itself be a distraction tool.

Hope this helps or at least give you a starting point to come up with some strategies for yourself.

Tot