Site Meter Dealing With Headaches » Blog Archive » The Dentalwork Headache

The Dentalwork Headache

by Rena Sherwood

AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!The Dentalwork Headache is a kind of tension headache brought on by anything remotely connected with going to the dentist. I currently have one now because I’ve gotten a reminder card that I’m overdue for a check up. With me, that’s all it takes to set me off into Dentalwork Headache, as well as spontaneously growing gray hairs and having my teeth ache. I don’t know of any official medical classification for this varaint of tension headache; this is just what I call it.

Why I Get It So Fast

If you guessed that I have a phobia about dentists, BINGO, you are right. I freely admit it. I also urge anyone reading this to get annual dental check ups, even if your teeth don’t hurt. There are low cost dental clinicls near universities and dental schools as well as coupons offered now by “Coupon Clipper”-type faux-magazine mailings. For example, if you live around the Philadelphia area, there is a low cost dental clinic at the University of Philadelphia (which I think has now changed it’s name to Philadelphia University). I live around the Philly area and have been avoiding this clinic all of my life.

I get Dentalwork Headache because my body involuntarily tenses up when anyone mentions the “d” word. This includes clenching my jaw. Tension headaches don’t necessarily have to be brought on by tense muscles, but mine certainly do. I have to yawn in order to relax my jaw. But, because I know the “d” work triggers a headache, I tend to just take an Excedrin or sinus relief pill (depending on the time of year) to try and prevent the inevitable fit of jaw-clenching that’s bound to occur sooner or later.

Why hasn’t Stephen King written a book about a dentist? Anyway…

The Drill

After dentalwork, I do get headaches. This is because of the drill. For God’s sake, your skull is vibrating for nearly an hour, of COURSE you’re going to get a headache. Try to take headache medicines before your dental appointment. I’d recommend a good tranqilizer as well, BUT they might conteract with any anesthesia you might be given. It’s not worth the risk.

If you can possibly help it, have the day off work when you get your teeth worked on. If you are they type that thinks sitting in the dentist’s chair is no big deal and never gets dizzy or shakey afterwards from the anesthesia, then you are safe to go back to work. Unfortunately, I am not that type. I need someone to drive me and drag me in through the front door and then escourt my limp shaking form back to the car.

Not everybody reacts badly to anesthesia such as novicane. Some people do really well on “laughing gas” and that can be a viable alternative.

Mercury Fumes Causing Headaches?

Some people report that they are really bothered by the smells of a dentist office. Me, I’m bothered by the smell of old blood and bruning bone (color me nutty). But some people get ill from the smell of mercury fillings. Some people just can’t handle mercury fillings and even show signs of mercury poisioning. The alternative is porcelain onlays, but they are a bit expensive. Sometimes your dentist can do what’s called white fillings insted of silver fillings. The white have much less mercury in them.

Going to the dentist does not mean that you are going to be poisioned by mercury. This is a very rare occurrance. I don’t mean to add yet another fear to the dental-phobic.

However, that sounds like a darn good excuse to put off my dental check up for another year…


5 Responses to “The Dentalwork Headache”

  1. Dealing With Headaches » Blog Archive » Sinus Headache Similar To Toothache Says:

    […] If you have pain in your lower jaw or lower set of teeth, then I’m sorry to say that you do have a toothache and will have to go to a competant dentist. But if it’s pain in your upper teeth, or upper jaw, then there is a possibility that you might not have to go to the dentist (which is is good news for those terrified of dentists’ offices, like me.) […]

  2. Her Daily News » Blog Archive » Dentist Says TMJ Helped by Breast Rub! Says:

    […] of the mouth, let your ob/gyn perform any breast exams. If dentists creep you out anyway, check out The Dentalwork Headache by Rena Sherwood. Did You Enjoy this Post? Subscribe to Her Daily News. It’s Free! « Back […]

  3. Dealing With Headaches » Blog Archive » New Pain In Left Eye — I’m Scared Says:

    […] ER). Otherwise, I’m too scared to go to the doctor. I’m nearly as scared of the doctor as I am of the dentist. I live on poverty income, and so go to the welfare doctor, which means a visit to Collingdale can […]

  4. Dealing With Headaches » Blog Archive » Drilling A Hole In Your Head For Migraines? Says:

    […] how she did it (with a dentist’s foot-pedal operated drill — yet another reason to be scared of dentists!) Techinically, this operation is called […]

  5. Dealing With Headaches » Blog Archive » I Made A Doctor Appointment Says:

    […] Mom made the appointment for me. I have a phobia of doctors that are nearly as bad as my phobia of dentists. If you find you keep putting off making an appointment with a doctor for whatever reason, mention […]

Leave a Reply


About Dealing With Headaches

This site is about dealing with headaches. It discusses natural treatments, medicines, and support sites to resource.

Dealing With Headaches Author(s)
    » Rena-Sherwood

Science & Health Channel Posts

  • Who You Gonna Call?
    I’ve just about had it with weight loss commercials. Especially the ones that feature celebrities. Granted a few of them do use the products (at least I think they do). Valerie Bertinelli for [...]
  • Italian Study Reduces Office Headaches, Neck Pain
    See what you can accomplish when you focus on a problem? This seems to be the result from an Italian study of office aches and pains -- namely headaches, neck and shoulder pains. Results of this [...]
  • Gala Time!
    I'm heading out for the weekend to volunteer at the Farm Sanctuary Gala in New York City! Anyone going? [...]
  • Gaining Weight for No Reason? Check This Out
    You're eating right and working out, yet your pants keep getting tighter. What's the deal? Could be your thyroid. A sluggish thyroid -- even one that is just a tad slow -- can cause you to pack [...]
  • Friday Freebies: Make Edible Playdough
    Wow, what a sensory experience Play Dough is...but what if you could eat it? This may not be good for some kids (like AJ who is probably the local Pica eating champion) but others may know the [...]
  • Center for Consumer Freedom: Run by Grade Schoolers?
    I'm all for people on both sides of an issue speaking their mind ... but in a mature, respectable manner. This means to paint throwing, no name calling, and no childish language. Animal rights, [...]
  • Overweight Trainer in the House
    Imagine this; you’ve decided to sign up for a weight loss program. You’ve done the research, talked to the counselor/trainer/coach and you like what you hear. The program seems to be sound, it [...]
  • Pet Shampoo Causes Autism?
    According to a new survey presented at the International Meeting for Autism Researching mothers of children with autism were twice as likely to have used pet shampoo that contains pyrethrins as those [...]
  • YouTube: Is It A Migraine?
    This blog tends to go into medications and alternative therapies for migraines and chronic headaches, my personal misadventures like the pain and other details on trying to manage the pain and on the [...]
  • Farm Bill Passes in the House
    It's not just rare, it's probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement. The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of [...]

Hot Off The Press

  • The View Schedule May 19-23
    Here is The View schedule for May 19-23. I wonder what the "special announcement" is that they are going to make on Monday? MONDAY, MAY 19 – A “Day of Hot Topics”; the co-hosts interview [...]
  • John Cena-Judgement Calls, Mr.Kennedy Answers you Questions
    -THE last time SunSport spoke to John Cena it was very controversial. First he told us injury and movie commitments would mean he was away from our screens for months – before returning less [...]
  • Tom Cruise Becomes a Golfer
    Tom  Cruise wants so much to bond with Katie Holmes' dad, Martin, that he just went out and purchased a membership to a very exclusive golfing club. The exclusive golf club membership cost Tom [...]
  • Torrie's Career Over, Week of Wrestling News
    -Torrie Wilson, one of the longest- tenured female members of the WWE, has decided to retire. It was an amicable departure because Wilson's injury problems have made it unsafe for her to [...]
  • Bonnets for Breastfeeding
    Since I am still new to breastfeeding, sometimes I find it a little difficult. Especially when I am out in public. Where do I breastfeed that is safe, and private? How do I nurse without my [...]
  • Who You Gonna Call?
    I’ve just about had it with weight loss commercials. Especially the ones that feature celebrities. Granted a few of them do use the products (at least I think they do). Valerie Bertinelli for [...]
  • The Real World Lives On
    The Real World will be back for its 21 season. The 7 new roommates will live in a house in Brooklyn. MTV recently changed the format of the Real World from a half hour show to an hour-long show, but [...]
  • Making Lavender Lotion
    Lavender has a soothing property to it in oil, or dried bud form. Just one smell and you immediately feel more relaxed with the world and what's going on around you. Making a lotion to use during [...]
  • No. 16 Auburn Set For NCAA East Regional
    The No. 16 Auburn men's golf team will play in the NCAA East Regional at the par-71, 6,961-yard Council Fire Golf Club in Chattanooga, Tenn., May 15-17. [...]
  • Green your Own Lawn Naturally, Here's How:
    1. Pick the right kind of grass for your own area: Having grass that's adapted to your own climate area will be a natural grass and end up being less work for you or your lawn maintenance person in [...]