Does anyone else feel this way? Nervous about upcoming periodontal appointment

[sara411]

So I have my first appointment at the periodontist tomorrow and I'm starting to get pretty nervous.
I'm not anxious about the actual appointment as it's just a first time assessment so I won't be having a cleaning done...but I'm super worried about actually having to show them the state of my teeth.

I know that this is their job and that they're professionals but I can't help but feel so ashamed at how bad I've let things get. I'm worried that the second I open my mouth they're going to be horrified and so disgusted and I wouldn't blame them! Some of my teeth are covered in tartar that's built up for probably 10 years at this point so its absolutely nasty. I wouldn't be surprised if my case was the worst they've seen in person.

I know I sound dramatic but if you've ever come across heavy tartar scaling videos on youtube that should give you an idea of how some of my teeth look...it's horrible. I have no rational explanation for why I've allowed myself to neglect my teeth like this other than having a severe phobia of the dentist obviously. But how am I supposed to go in and show them my mouth without crying from complete and utter embarrassment?

 

[ScaredyCat22]

@sara411 Yes the embarrassment is part of my phobia. Not even about tarter but just the fact that my parents could not afford braces for me as a child so my teeth are not straight and I have barely any enamel so they are yellowish and I have had a dentist make fun of my teeth before. But that is not the norm, most dentists want to help you not to shame you and they know that humiliating you and making you cry is not going to get you to come back for treatment. I have an appointment tomorrow because of a bad tooth with a filling falling out. I have not been to a dentist in 6 years so I know I have tartar built up too. Whatever your teeth look like it will not be anything that will shock them.

 

[sara411]

@ScaredyCat22 thanks so much for responding! I'm sorry to hear that a dentist actually made fun of your teeth, that's so unprofessional and rude. I totally relate to not having nice, straight teeth as well along with my other issues. It's so unfair how expensive basic dental work is!
I know it's not the norm these days for dentist to be rude and judgmental as they want you to actually come back for treatment. I just find it hard to believe they aren't judging me the second I'm gone but at this point I care more about having a healthy mouth again than anything else.
Good luck on your upcoming appointment, I hope all goes well!

 

[ScaredyCat22]

@sara411 If they judge you once you're gone you don't have to know about it or care about it. they are not so perfect so you can judge them right back lol. I had gum disease 30 years ago and a scaling and root planing took care of it. I was fine after. You will be fine too.