J
JLambda
Junior member
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2020
- Messages
- 13
- Location
- United Kingdom
Hello everyone! I am so thankful that I have found this forum.
My basic situation is that I know I need to see the dentist, but I am embarrassed -- ashamed -- to go and get the help that I need. For context, I have just finished high school and have been distracted by my work -- and wanting to do a good job in my first real job -- that professional dental care has become an afterthought. That said, I do eat healthily. Over the last few months, I have been slowly taking myself away from sugar (I now no longer consume sugar) and snacks (I usually just eat during mealtimes, now).
This may sound like I am worrying about nothing, but I know that I am not. When I was in my final year of school, I was very stressed -- about exams, about living up to expectations, everything. There were days when I cried about going to school, and everything felt as though the future didn't matter. I would wake up in the morning and have to drag myself out of bed, only to feel bad throughout the day. So I reverted to a -- foolish -- coping mechanism: eating. I would eat cookies every day at school, in order to cope. For a few minutes a day, everything seemed fine, and my tiredness and stress were alleviated.
Now, I am looking to go to the dentist. I went for a check-up last May and they told me that I needed a clean, but that was during the exam diet and, to be honest, school was occupying most of my headspace. I had to think about five exams, and could not deal with any more stress on my plate. Looking at my teeth, I know I have some tartar build-up, and that is causing me problems. But I do not feel strong enough to go to the dentist.
Last night, I woke up at around midnight and I worried; yesterday, I broke down and resorted to prayer (which is rare for me). I have tried to make myself feel better -- by saying "dentists will have seen a lot worse," and "I am not the only person going through this" -- but those efforts have thus far proved unhelpful. Above all, I am embarrassed about what the dentist will say: "why did you not come in sooner," "you need a lot of work done," and everything else. I regret how I have treated my teeth -- but I am starting to accept that even if were I back in school, I would have likely eaten the same, given the stress I was under -- but I can't bring myself to seek help.
Any help would be appreciated, especially success stories and coping mechanisms. I am yet to schedule an appointment, but I am starting to feel better and know that, with some work, I'll get there. Thanks!
My basic situation is that I know I need to see the dentist, but I am embarrassed -- ashamed -- to go and get the help that I need. For context, I have just finished high school and have been distracted by my work -- and wanting to do a good job in my first real job -- that professional dental care has become an afterthought. That said, I do eat healthily. Over the last few months, I have been slowly taking myself away from sugar (I now no longer consume sugar) and snacks (I usually just eat during mealtimes, now).
This may sound like I am worrying about nothing, but I know that I am not. When I was in my final year of school, I was very stressed -- about exams, about living up to expectations, everything. There were days when I cried about going to school, and everything felt as though the future didn't matter. I would wake up in the morning and have to drag myself out of bed, only to feel bad throughout the day. So I reverted to a -- foolish -- coping mechanism: eating. I would eat cookies every day at school, in order to cope. For a few minutes a day, everything seemed fine, and my tiredness and stress were alleviated.
Now, I am looking to go to the dentist. I went for a check-up last May and they told me that I needed a clean, but that was during the exam diet and, to be honest, school was occupying most of my headspace. I had to think about five exams, and could not deal with any more stress on my plate. Looking at my teeth, I know I have some tartar build-up, and that is causing me problems. But I do not feel strong enough to go to the dentist.
Last night, I woke up at around midnight and I worried; yesterday, I broke down and resorted to prayer (which is rare for me). I have tried to make myself feel better -- by saying "dentists will have seen a lot worse," and "I am not the only person going through this" -- but those efforts have thus far proved unhelpful. Above all, I am embarrassed about what the dentist will say: "why did you not come in sooner," "you need a lot of work done," and everything else. I regret how I have treated my teeth -- but I am starting to accept that even if were I back in school, I would have likely eaten the same, given the stress I was under -- but I can't bring myself to seek help.
Any help would be appreciated, especially success stories and coping mechanisms. I am yet to schedule an appointment, but I am starting to feel better and know that, with some work, I'll get there. Thanks!