My Secret Irrational Fear
October 14, 2007 by Sarah
Filed under Read These!
I am about to reveal one of my deep, dark secrets. I have a certain fear that I have carried from childhood into adulthood. I have even had nightmares that this fear has indeed come true, only to wake up in a cold sweat, feel my mouth, and sigh in relief! My secret fear that has haunted me all these years?
…that all of my teeth will fall out!
I have no idea where this fear came from. But every time I go to the dentist, I expect to lay down in the chair, and hear the dentist say, “Hmmm… it seems we’ve missed 35 cavities over the years, I guess we’ll just have to pull them all and fit you for some dentures. Don’t worry, they really have come a long way in making them look natural.”
Let’s explore first why this fear is totally irrational.
I have never even had so much as a cavity! All of my teeth are just fine.
I never had to wear braces, retainer, anything.
I even still have all my wisdom teeth.
Look at these pearly whites! These babies aren’t going anywhere!
Next, here are a few reasons I may have picked up this fear along the way.
- I have a dentist in the family. No matter what you do, the “dentist family member” will always say to a child, “Let me see those teeth!” Next, the child will have to open her mouth wide while they extol the virtues of brushing your teeth and avoiding sweets. Not that this exchange is a bad thing. It only becomes a problem when the child develops into a neurotic adult.
- I am terrified of pain, and all I remember about my mom getting fillings was that it HURT!
- I am the only one in my immediate family who has never had a cavity. It has to be my turn sometime, right?
So let’s review. I have never had any problems with my teeth, yet deep down, I am sure that one day I will wake up and my teeth will begin falling out, one by one. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Do you have any irrational fears that are always in the back of your mind, despite the lack of any evidence of the impending doom?
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I fear that I will never be able to have anymore children even though I am a young, healthy woman who got pregnant the first time on birth control. I’m just terrified I won’t be able to do it again.
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Odd, but I’ve had that same tooth falling out nightmare. I’ve heard all sorts of dream analysis theories, but pretty much just decided that I was an odd duck. At least now I know I have company : )
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this made me laugh! similar fear here… not that exactly, but that one of my front teeth with become severely chipped. I imagine how talking would be different, what it would feel like with my tongue, etc…
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I had a dream when I was a kid that that happened to me and I woke up with mixed feelings: happy to have my teeth, sad that I wasn’t suddenly RICH from the tooth fairy.
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I also have really great teeth, and the occasional nightmares about my teeth falling out! It’s upsetting!
Have you ever seen Stephen King’s Tommyknockers?
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Wow, I have too many to name!! Since I was a child, I have had a fear of driving over bridges because they might collapse. My brother calls this an irrational fear although I have watched it happen on the news many times.
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That’s pretty darn amazing that you have never had a cavity. I think I got all of yours! he..he.. I try to take really good care of my teeth and I have similar dreams. I don’t know why either!
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Well, all this time, I thought I was the only one with dreamed of losing my teeth! Either I’m normal or we’re all certifiably insane!
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my secret & not so secret fear, losing my children in _________ insert public place. my husband’s dentist has told him his roots are disintegrating and he will lose his teeth…something about bad orthodontics back in the 80′s. good thing i love him with or without teeth, b/c i’m a teeth-watcher. probably b/c i’ve had so much dental work done due to a childhood accident.
laci
ps. i have a picture of you flossing your teeth in college, no worries for you chica!
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I have had the dream of all my teeth falling out as long as I can remember. We have to research the deeper meaning of this dream.
How are you? I am way behind on my blog reading these days. Seems when you homeschool children you should teach them a few things.
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I have dreams in which my teeth crumble and fall out. I am always in a public place and find that I am trying to catch the teeth in my hands and at same time trying to hide what is happening.
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Yup.. Insane…
I have had this nightmare as well…. And, no cavities for me yet either. It is supposed to mean you are feeling like you life is out of control or that you can’t control a situation… Hmmm.. sounds like anyones life at one point or another. Some interpretation
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