Does it ever get any better?

[maurelana]

After a life time of bad teeth, I feel like I'm finally reaching the end, and wondered if anyone had any advice on whether dentures are so bad. All I can find is advice on how they are terrible, my face will collapse, I won't be able to eat, they will look awful... it's just all so negative and so my future feels hopeless.

My teeth are terrible due to an intense dislike of the taste of mint (most types make me actually throw up - that wretching you get when you smell something sickening). As an adult, I've learnt to deal with this, and a dental industry based on the assumption that everyone loves mint (ha!), but as a child, it meant I was either throwing up when brushing my teeth, or eating a sweet to take the taste away. You can imagine how that turned out...

Last year, a crowned molar tooth gave up and it was extracted: it was opposite a gap of two lower molars, I'd lost twenty years ago, leaving me unable to eat on that side.

Move forward to two months ago and I fractured a tooth on the other side, which needed to be extracted (the dentist described the extraction as "traumatic"), that had a chain effect on a neighbouring tooth - the nerve died. I had a temporary emergency root canal, and due to go back in three weeks for the follow-up.

But now, the tooth opposite the root canal tooth, which has a 20year old crown on it, has started hurting.

The costs on all this are spiralling, I'm scared of going back to the dentist before the root canal appointment because I've taken up so much of their time recently (the problems have all over-run their appointments meaning that other people's appointments have ended up needing to be moved). I just know they must think I am such an awful person. My diet is not sugary, but the hygienist still lectures me on fizzy drinks, sweets, etc, even thought I've explained I don't go near them. I feel they don't believe me and it's just left me terrified of eating absolutely anything at all, in case it does more damage. I really feel like I'm going mad, due to hunger, pain, stress and embarrassment.

Does it ever get any better?

 

[tazey]

In my case no (been+still waiting 5yrs for implants) but I'm sure it won't be as bad for you.

 

[Enarete]

Dear Maurelana,

sorry to read about your situation, especially that you do not feel free enough to eat properly.

Let me come right to your question: does it ever get any better? With a hygienist lecturing you and with you feeling more and more awful after your appointments, please forgive me the honesty, but the answer is: No.

The main ingredient to beating dental fear and reaching a state of dental health and confidence is a kind caring dental team. It is very important that you make a good experience every time you are going. I totally get your feelings of shame, thinking they find you awful and taking too much of their time and this feelings are something that a lot of us have. It's because we already feel weird and judge ourselves and deal with a lot of shame so we expect the dentists to think the same way. The truth is, they don't and a good dental team should be working hard on trying to prove you that they do not judge you and that they are happy to help you with your dental care. It takes time but boosts your confidence and trust on a long term and makes you able to address problems directly and prevent future problems.

I am sorry to read how your hygienist treats you and understand that it only worsens your anxiety and brings you to a place of even being afraid to eat. How should you trust them if they do not believe what you say and assume negative things that aren't even right? For this reason, I encourage you to look for an another practice if you have the possibility. You need a strong dental partner who gives you the support you need to deal with your problems.

As to running over time: the dentist is the boss and decides what will happen and when. He/she could have planned your treatment differently. He/she could have understood that you need more time and schedule according to that. He/she could offer you to finish the schedule a new appointment to finish the work. Time keeping is a well known problem in dental practices and they know how to deal with it so rescheduling someone else was their decision and not your fault. Emergencies are also something that belongs to this job, broken teeth and sudden toothaches just happen and that's fine too. Believe me, dentists are more happy if you call them right when a problem occurs and let them fix it instead of waiting for your regular appointment.

Dentures. They are not bad, they won't make you unable to eat and they won't look awful. On the contrary. They make you able to eat, will look like healthy natural teeth and are a way to replace teeth that are beyond saving. There are a lot of happy denture wearers out there and also here on the forum, so please do not let any scary videos or articles make you mad. This is, by the way also a topic for a chat with a kind caring dentist who can address all your concerns about this.

Your situation is not an easy one, I wished you would find a practice that treats you well and makes you feel supported instead of scared.

Now back to your question from the beginning again: if you find a lovely non-judgmental dentist you feel comfortable with and trust, then things WILL get better over time. That's a promise.

All the best wishes, keep us posted and may you find relief soon.

 

[maurelana]

Dear Enarete,

Thank you so much for the lovely reply - you made me cry whilst also making me feel better

I found this forum at the end of very long, painful, difficult week and reading through all the experiences has helped me feel like there is some light at the end of the tunnel.