Booked my first appointment in over 15 years...

[Azriel]

Yesterday I picked up the phone and booked my first appointment with my dentist since probably 2000 when I was a kid. I'm now 26. My parents stopped going and in turn so did I. I also have SERIOUSLY neglected my teeth for my entire life through not brushing and also drinking WAY too many fizzy drinks in a past life (I cut it all out). It just got to the stage where once my teeth began showing visible damage (at around age 16), I couldn't look after them through fear of damaging them further, which obviously is a double-edged sword because not brushing just damages them further anyway. I have no missing teeth in my mouth - none - but my front row are quite badly decayed in some areas and I talk to people with a stiff upper lip because I can't bear to open my mouth. I've become an expert at this and so as far as I'm aware no one's noticed my poor dental state for the 10 years my teeth have shown damage. You know things are dire when you've pretty much perfected talking like Rod Serling in the Twilight Zone.

I have literally wished and dreamed for my teeth to somehow miraculously return to a perfect state, alas... this is the real world. I have not had a fear of the dentist's chair per se, but a fear of showing my teeth to the dentist through sheer embarrassment. I know that I will be totally mortified when I open my mouth for the dentist to look at, but you know what? I just don't care anymore. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life.

If you are sick and tired of living the way I have been for the past 10 years, act and act now. I mean I have been really sick and tired to the point where no matter what I've accomplished and achieved and have been happy as a result - I've NEVER been able to be completely happy because of the dire state of my teeth, especially at just 26 years old.

I don't even care how much it costs because I will work it out somehow. I just need this change. This change of life. If i can do it anyone can. Modern dentistry is INCREDIBLE. I don't even feel nervous or scared right now with my appointment tomorrow morning, I just feel EXCITED. It feels like something's changed inside me to feel this way, but perhaps I just hit rock bottom with it all after 10 long years.

Anyway, new chapter, so tomorrow I'm having a new patient exam since it's been so long even though it's actually the same dentist still!

I have a question though - and I'm in the UK - but do they do any treatment in a new patient exam, like perhaps fillings or more 'urgent' treatment?

 

[law69]

Hello super well done be proud
You sound exactly like me I'm 47 though I've a bad dental phobia though
I've had some awful dental experience I won't go into them but this lead me to avoid the dentist so your not alone
I've ine wisdom tooth left which is hurting and earach plus my front bottom teeth have bad decay tbh I've anxiety so much so it's ruling my life
That's why your post helped as you've the attitude I want and it's positive
Look forward to your post update good luck your still young so that should be on your side

 

[lauralou32]

Hi and congratulations to you for finally making appointment! I had not been to a dentist in 24 years I to hit rock bottom but it was because my teeth are falling out so I finally went. I was not afraid of pain I was more ashamed which turned into severe fear. I could not imagine opening my mouth for the dentist. After many sleepless nights and Many shed tears I decided to go to the dentist. I shared my fear with the dentist and he was very kind and understanding and never shamed me at all. since then I have had seven extractions a lower partial placed and getting ready next week to go in for and impression to get an upper partial placed. I never knew that I could live a life without feeling shame. my lower partial works great hopefully the upper partial will be as successful. you are young so probably you will just need further treatment and not as severe as my problem. so don't let fear rule your life it's just a made-up thing in our mind what's on the other side of it is something fantastic you will get your smile back and live your life the way you're supposed to. Believe me I cried for 24 years and and let stupid fear control my life. take action now while you're still young I am 57 years old and wish I would've done it along time ago. Best of luck to you both please keep me posted on how you are doing. you got this!!!

 

[Azriel]

I've just returned from the appointment now. New patient exam as it has been 16/17 years! Only took 30 minutes, was very quick. Felt totally at ease and wasn't bothered in the slightest. Took x-rays, etc. Said my teeth are actually pretty strong and healthy and the damage/decay hasn't really affected the cores of my teeth . He said he can see that I've tried to look after them despite the decay putting me off brushing too much. The main issue was a wisdom tooth that has been giving me grief, and an upper tooth that is the most decayed in my mouth. He put a temporary filling in the wisdom tooth to 'settle it down' as it's been painful. I'm hoping in the next 24 hours I'll feel a difference? Not sure how it works. But he said he thinks that's most likely going to have to come out but it's a wisdom tooth so who cares, right? My other wisdom tooth is pushing against another tooth apparently but it's never bothered me/I've never noticed. Ultimately he said it's all quite fixable and it looks like I may only have to have one extraction - the troublesome wisdom tooth. Only one tooth has a dead nerve so he said about a root canal for that. Have an appointment in a week to see a hygienst to get my gums cleaned and then another appointment a few days later with my dentist presumably to get a treatment plan and I'm guessing maybe the extraction.

I think I felt so at ease because I said I was mortified to open my mouth and he said 'don't worry, I've seen some serious sh-!'

To the above posters, thanks for the kind words.

 

[law69]

You did great well done and not too much to do
How's the filling ?
My appointments 6 weeks and I need to go today as my wisdom tooth hurts plus earache but there's no other appointments
I'm scared I could die from infection if I don't go sooner

 

[Azriel]

Appointment in six weeks? That seems a long time! I'm hoping to be completely done as soon as humanly possible!!

The filling is only temporary so it feels quite rough/grainy and obviously looks like someone just's dropped paint on my tooth, but no one can see since it's a back wisdom tooth. It hurts to bite a bit and I still find myself wincing occasionally if my upper teeth catch it, but I've definitely had a much easier day pain-wise, so perhaps I have had an infection or perhaps it just takes a little bit of time for the tooth to calm itself down pain-wise.

 

[MissMercy]

I've just returned from the appointment now. New patient exam as it has been 16/17 years! Only took 30 minutes, was very quick. Felt totally at ease and wasn't bothered in the slightest. Took x-rays, etc. Said my teeth are actually pretty strong and healthy and the damage/decay hasn't really affected the cores of my teeth . He said he can see that I've tried to look after them despite the decay putting me off brushing too much. The main issue was a wisdom tooth that has been giving me grief, and an upper tooth that is the most decayed in my mouth. He put a temporary filling in the wisdom tooth to 'settle it down' as it's been painful. I'm hoping in the next 24 hours I'll feel a difference? Not sure how it works. But he said he thinks that's most likely going to have to come out but it's a wisdom tooth so who cares, right? My other wisdom tooth is pushing against another tooth apparently but it's never bothered me/I've never noticed. Ultimately he said it's all quite fixable and it looks like I may only have to have one extraction - the troublesome wisdom tooth. Only one tooth has a dead nerve so he said about a root canal for that. Have an appointment in a week to see a hygienst to get my gums cleaned and then another appointment a few days later with my dentist presumably to get a treatment plan and I'm guessing maybe the extraction.

I think I felt so at ease because I said I was mortified to open my mouth and he said 'don't worry, I've seen some serious sh-!'

To the above posters, thanks for the kind words.

Good for you! You should be proud!!!!and ? It his comment about having seen some "serious sh!t" lol!!!

 

[Azriel]

I received my report/treatment plan today ahead of my visit to see the hygienist on Thursday, and then my dentist again on Monday. I must say that it was quite sobering to see it all written down and in black and white. I was quite sternly told that it's going to be a big, time-consuming process that I have to be 100% committed to, which I absolutely am.

The treatment plan says that I need:

- All four wisdom teeth removed as the top two will have nothing to bite down on once the bottom teeth are removed (one is impacted, the other has a cavity that has been causing me great referred pain for a long time).

- Root canal therapy on one tooth

- 15 teeth need to be restored with tooth-coloured composites.

So thank god (at the moment at least) I don't need to have any extractions that aren't wisdom teeth. My dentist said my overall gum and dental health is fairly good despite not looking after them particularly well for a long time, so the work is largely restorative and aesthetic, although of course it's also a job to get my mouth totally healthy again generally. Hopefully I will only need the one root canal treatment by the end of it too.

Has anyone had similar treatments/plans? Obviously I want this all complete as soon as humanly possible, but I just don't want it to take months and months, etc. How long would restoring 15 teeth take? Is root canal therapy for a single tooth done in one sitting, etc?

I'm in the UK and my quote is just under £2,000 for all the treatment listed.

 

[Azriel]

Had a call from my dentist just to say if I had any questions. I just wanted to ask how long he thinks the treatment will take from beginning to end and he asked why I wanted to know but in a way that sounded like it was going to take absolutely ages haha, but then he asked if it was because I wanted it done fast or spaced out. I said I wanted it all done yesterday and if it was up to me I'd have everything done in one sitting because I need it so bad. He said once the hygienist treatment was underway we could crack on and get everything done. The main issue is that the gums need to heal and get healthy, but he said they're pretty amazing and can drastically improve in just a couple of weeks, meaning the next stage of treatment can be begin. He even said he'd open on a Saturday just to help me if needed and would put me on the cancellation list so I would be the first who called if a space opens up. Suffice to say I'm so happy to hear that.

 

[Sevena]

Your dentist sounds really accommodating. And he's right, gums do recover pretty quickly. Hang in there.

 

[Azriel]

Saw the hygienist today for a clean. Didn't mind it until she started scraping and it gave me goosebumps! With all the tartare and gunk removed, my (clean) cavities are BLACK. It looks disgusting, especially as they're only in my top front teeth. Actually worse than before I came in, but obviously it's good. I've bought a recommended toothbrush and am now on a high-fluoride mouthwash for twice-daily rinsing, plus interdental brushes. The goal is to restore my gums to optimum health as they're slightly inflamed. I'm seeing her again in six weeks to check up on my home-care progress. Monday is wisdom teeth removal day, and then I'll have another appointment booked to take out the wisdom teeth on the other side of my mouth. Monday will also be talking through the treatment plan that I received in the mail. The idea is that the healthier the gums are the better the restorative treatment on my teeth will be. The only problem is I really hope I don't have to wait six weeks to begin restoration work, but I guess I'll see what my dentist says. Hopefully my gums will get healthier quickly now that my new regime has started and we'll be able to get started on the cosmetic aspect ASAP.

 

[Sevena]

Well done! You're doing great so far. Gums really can improve quickly, especially after a cleaning. All the bacteria that lurks in plaque and tartar causes inflammation, so with that gone your gums will already be recovering.

 

[Azriel]

Thanks Sevena.

I'm now my dentist tomorrow as he's had a cancellation, not that I knew the practice was open on weekends, but perhaps he was seeing someone in a similar situation to me where he opened on a Saturday just for them. I guess I'll find out tomorrow! But that's what he said on the phone last week - about opening up on weekends just for me. So, my treatment plan officially begins tomorrow, which I believe will be the root canal, and then on Monday the left side wisdom teeth will be extracted.

 

[Sevena]

Quick progress, that's good! Good luck at your appointment

 

[Azriel]

Just came back from having the root canal done, plus restorations, one being the back of a tooth and the other being almost a complete tooth. It does feel very weird at the moment. I guess that's probably a combination of having something new in my mouth and the tight feeling from the root canal. Looks very natural. Impressed! I have three aesthetically awful teeth that need restoring the most, but the dentist wants the gums to get a little more healthier before he proceeds. Once they're done I will be SO HAPPY. Like seriously REALLY HAPPY.

As for the root canal procedure itself, it wasn't too bad. Thankfully it's the only one I need doing. The main problem was when he used the biggest drill head and it felt pretty awful, but I didn't really mind the smaller drill heads.

Monday was originally going to be when I have my left side wisdom teeth removed, but he said since the temporary filling is keeping me pain-free, he's going to do all the cleaning and restoration first and leave the wisdom teeth until the end of treatment, which personally I'm happy about. He did say I'd be in for a fortnight of misery once they're out though! Eek. Although given the 9 months of hell I've been through with the referred paid from my bottom left wisdom tooth (pain that was never once in the tooth so took 9 months to diagnose!), it probably won't compare. So, roll on Monday and further restoration. Not sure which teeth he'll pick to do though!

I'll probably be worried about brushing the restored tooth now though!

 

[Sevena]

I'm so glad it went well. Take it easy while you recover. Drink lots of water and eat some nice easy food.

Remember that things need to settle a little while. If you get any twinges of pain or anything, don't panic and assume something has gone wrong.

Keep up the good work

 

[Azriel]

Went back in yesterday to have the second filling. Am upper left molar. Looks great and feels good. Feels better than the first tooth I have restored, which still feels quite 'big' in my mouth. I'm not sure if that's because I didn't have much tooth left prior to the restoration, or if it's a little too chunky, although it definitely doesn't look it! Of course, it could also be because it's beside teeth that also need restoring. Fillings are done incredibly quickly in just 30 minutes and look amazing, but it's a slow process doing one at a time when you need 15 in total done! 13 more to go... I really, really just want the front four that need restoring done now - for aesthetic reasons. Really hope when I next go in on Thursday that my dentist says the gums at the front have now healed enough to do them. I've now two weeks into an impeccable oral routine that involves pro-enamel toothpaste, high-flouride mouthwash and interdental brushing. I have to do public speaking on Monday and would rather not talk for three hours with a stiff upper lip... Praying for a miracle that dentist can somehow fit in the four front restorations between Thursday and Saturday (if he decides to open on a weekend for me again ).

 

[Azriel]

Well, last week I had my third composite filling, but I'm not even sure what tooth was restored! I guess that's a good thing! That was my last appointment until this coming Saturday, where I'm having six front teeth restored over three hours straight, so it's going to be a long morning, but I'll come out of it with my life changed, as the front six are the worst and I'll come out of their being able to actually smile for the first time in over a decade. So excited. My life is literally going to change in six days.

 

[Elten27]

I'm in almost the same situation as you are. I'm glad I'm not the only one. I too have really bad teeth due to neglect and no one really knows about it since I speak quietly and don't open my mouth all that wide. I've kept it to myself all these years.

It's become quite a strain on me in many many ways. I've been gathering the courage to tell those I'm closest to and while it terrifies me the thought of finally getting this off my chest is starting to outweigh that.

However I've no job and basically no money or insurance- less than $100 to my name really. Even if I asked my family for aid they too are struggling with money and it'll only burden them more.

So while I want to confess so to speak, it feels utterly pointless when I've no funds to get anything done and would just leave everyone sad and even more stressed.

It honestly feels like there's no way out, hopeless really.
Sorry for the depressing reply...I just needed to get it off my chest. And again, I feel comfort that I'm not the only one with bad teeth struggles at a young age.