Ashamed about my teeth

[honeybee91]

I'm greatly ashamed to admit this, but due to finances I couldn't go to my dentist appointment. I definitely need a teeth cleaning and most likely a deep cleaning. I'm 5 years past due. I have crooked teeth and I'm so embarrassed about them, about how swollen my gums are around them. From afar you can't see but my husband said when he's really close to me when I talk he sees how red they are. We are very very poor. I have disabilities that prevent me from working. I have no help from family that could pay for my treatments. I also have low credit due to credit cards from years ago, and no credit institutions will give me a credit card. I feel lost and like I need to accept I'll eventually lose my teeth. I'm so sad. I live in a rural area and I'm far from any cities. I want to ho to a dental school but I don't know if they'll even want to do anything. I just feel like I'm disgusting to look at (I know that's not true)

 

[honeybee91]

I'm American BTW. The healthcare here is a joke.

 

[anonfemale]

@honeybee91 Hi. I have superficial inflammation in my gums. I feel the same about my appearance. I hope you and I can support each other. I also have a disability called autism.

 

[honeybee91]

@anonfemale hi! I'm sorry about your gum issues too. Besides finances I'm terrified of the dentist. I have autism too! And PTSD, major depression,..lol. Hope we can reassure each other!

 

[anonfemale]

@honeybee I get anxious eating because the food gets stuck in my gums and I feel like they look the thinnest I have ever seen. How do you feel when you eat?. I keep looking at mine in the mirror too. I panic when I see any blood too. Do you function ok every day and do daily tasks?. I find it difficult to function.

 

[honeybee91]

@anonfemale I hate eating honestly because flossing is stressful. I do bleed sometimes while flossing. I don't function well honestly. I do what I can but I have meltdowns if I overdue myself. How about you? Do you have any support to get your gums looked at?

 

[anonfemale]

@honeybee91 I hate eating too because it feels like the food gets stuck in my gums and i use a waterpik to floss and use an electric toothbrush. Sometimes i bleed when i floss then other times i dont bleed. It's so confusing. I have nightmares and wake up having panic attacks because i think my gums are too thin. In some mirrors my teeth look yellow and my gums look red and in other mirrors my gums look pink and my teeth look white. My mouth is very small. I have anxiety all day every day. I have meltdowns too. It feels like my teeth are moving when they arent too. I have written all of this down for the dentist tomorrow and i hope she will answer my questions and not just rush me through the appointment. I want to ask if I have pockets in my gums too. I dont function well either.

 

[honeybee91]

@anonfemalehey, did you ever go to the dentist? How’s it go?