How to get past the first step?

I want to thank everybody for all the advice in these forums! I really need to see a dentist and I think all the encouraging posts here have already helped calm me down. I just registered, but I have been reading the posts here for a few days.

Here is my story:
I haven't seen a dentist in about 17 years and my mouth is in embarrassing shape. I have 2 teeth that are broken/rotten with almost nothing left of them. I also have several small cavities. While I'm not overly afraid of the dental procedures themselves, I am afraid of letting anybody look at my mouth and what the 17 years of neglect has done. (I'm only 28, so it is even more embarrassing to have teeth this bad already!)
I can't even get the courage to make the call for an appointment because I get so nervous when I think about it. I keep putting it off since my teeth no longer hurt.
Does anybody have any advice for me so I can get the call made? How do I explain my situation to the receptionist and get an appointment without being humiliated?

Hi and welcome. I know exactly how hard it is because I had to get my partner to make the initial call for me. I recently needed to call to make another appointment, but kept putting it off and decided to email instead because I find it much easier explaining things in writing rather than verbally. It is also less confronting that way.

If you can send them an email you can take your time to think about things you want them to know and things you want them to ask. Hitting the 'send' button will probably still be difficult, but it might be easier for you than making that first step with a phone call.

A lot of dentists will now have a website or have their email address listed in the phone book. All the best and let us know how you go

Hello Monkey

Well done for getting this far and posting on the site. I was in exactly the same position a month ago and know how difficult it is to pick up a phone. Once I knew I HAD to do something it still took me a couple of weeks to actually dial a number - and that was with the help of a very stiff scotch! I hadn't been to the dentist for 20 years and chose one from site recommendations who specialises in treating phobic patients - Jenny Pinder in London. With her expert help and encouragement I managed to get through the initial 'opening of the mouth' and have since had a cleaning and an extraction. Plenty more to get through but in your case you say you are not overly traumatised by the prospect of treatment. Without finding this site I don't think I would have made it thus far - we're all in the same boat here and just knowing that gives us the courage to move forward. YOU CAN DO IT Monkey and you've made a big step already today.

Ellie1

hey

well done for taking the first step, i know how you feel as regards to letting someone look in your mouth, the first time i went i was so worried they were going to give me a grilling about the state of my teeth (my front 4 overlap and need fillings badly) i hate smiling incase people recoil in horror at them! the dentist has probably seen ALOT worse than me cause she turned round and said this isn't too bad we can fix everything, i almost fainted with relief! now i have had a wisdom tooth extracted and need the front 4 filled and a back tooth done, which is a shock as i thought i would have needed ALOT more work, most people think that with there teeth until a dentist looks and can see what really needs done, i agree with jessicab that if you can email your dentist it may help and maybe try find a dentist in your area who deals with all types of anxiety but well done again for making the first move it means you are ready to have things looked into more

LOL. I might have to try the scotch trick to make the call!

I think my situation is a little like GoreHound's where I am almost excited to get this fixed so I can eat anything I want again without worrying about breaking my tooth more.

How long did it take to heal after the extractions and how soon can I get a replacement tooth (either temporary or permanent -- it's a molar if that makes a difference)? I'm sure I'm going to need at least 1 extraction.

Thanks everybody! I appreciate hearing your experiences and knowing that you were just like me at one point! I'm proud of all of you for getting past your fears.

i hadn't been in about 10 years and had an appointment today, he did ask when i last been to a dentist but no lecture on the condition of my teeth.

I have 2 top wisdom teeth that are rotten to almost nothing and im due to have them extracted this month and i need about 4 or 5 small fillings also 2 teeth cleaned and fissure sealed.

Dont be embarrassed as im more than sure that they have seen a lot worse.

lac1983,
I'm glad it went ok!
I really am trying to convince myself that any dentist has seen much worse, that should help the embarrassment some.

GoreHound, it sounds like the worst part of it is over for you!

should I expect the extraction to cause any swelling that is really noticeable just by looking at my face? and what will (or won't) they do for a tooth replacement? I'm hoping something temporary can be done right away while I'm waiting for a permanent restoration!

monkey said:

lac1983,
I'm glad it went ok!
I really am trying to convince myself that any dentist has seen much worse, that should help the embarrassment some.

GoreHound, it sounds like the worst part of it is over for you!

should I expect the extraction to cause any swelling that is really noticeable just by looking at my face? and what will (or won't) they do for a tooth replacement? I'm hoping something temporary can be done right away while I'm waiting for a permanent restoration!

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i did not have any swelling to my face apart from the usual "you've been at the dentist and had a jag" type thing, only took painkillers for 2 1/2 days just typical paracetamol and i am a smoker so there was a higher risk of things like dry socket. and as for healing it has been just over a week now and i seen the dentist yesterday and she said it is healing really well i have irritated it though with touching it so she gave me some cordysol gel to rub on it to help plus it aids healing and you can use it to brush with to stop gum disease lol