Embarrassment and Fear, please help

[Paradox]

Ok then, details.....

39 years old and with the exception of the removal of a wisdom tooth that had shattered I haven't seen a dentist since my orthodontist treatment ended at 17yrs old.

Never been a regular brusher due to the pain of bleeding gums, almost unbearable when the toothbrush passes over them.

Bad breath is another problem that has come from this.

• Main problem is not seen a dentist and terrified of them
• I don't want to breathe on them
• Cost could be an issue

Lots of details missing but that is all I can stand to write about it right now

 

[bcjch]

Just some random thoughts here from a non-professional ...

Do you have a special need - localized pain that isn't typical, for example - that is motivating you to go back to a dentist?

If you've managed for so long with no localized pain other than bleeding gums, I doubt you have anything to be embarrassed about as far as your teeth are concerned. Gums are a different animal, so to speak, than teeth. Yours have some issues, no doubt - but anecdotally, everyone I've ever talked to about dentists has "unhealthy gums". There are products (e.g., toothpaste) for sensitive teeth - some by prescription - that may help gums, too.

Also, you likely have built up some tartar over the years. If they clean your teeth, it may well remove things that irritate your gums and/or cause the bleeding. If not, you will have lost nothing.

About bad breath - I guarantee you every dentist has dealt with it. One dumb question - if you haven't seen a dentist or asked a professional you know about it, why do you think your tooth and gums are the cause of your bad breath? Or by "that has come from this", do you just mean it's been another reason to avoid the dentist?

As for cost, an exam and cleaning won't be much. Try not to worry about the total cost until they give you a treatment plan. Fillings might be all you need, and you can prioritize them to spread out the cost over time. If you need something more, the same will apply - and you will probably have cheaper treatment options than those the dentist initially gives you.

 

[Paradox]

There is no pain, just worried about what will happen with them

I have no idea what is causing the bad breath, I can't smell it or (as some can) taste it myself so I am not sure how "bad" it is, my partner is the only one that has mentioned this to me. But if it is as bad as I am told, the last thing I want is for someone to go looking around in there or be that close to it. I don't think I could handle it if they recoiled.

 

[Sevena]

Okay, first of all, bad breath can be caused by any number of things. Secondly, I can;t imagine a dentist recoiling. There is no way the dentist hasn't dealt with worse. When I finally went to the dentist after a hiatus of many years, I had so many rotten teeth that there's no way it smelled great. But no one blinked an eye. It's just part of their job.

The trick to getting dental treatment when you have a real fear is finding a kind dentist who is willing to work with you to help you through your issues. I've been on this forum for a long time, and that's the most re-occurring positive story: "I found a really nice dentist and I'm more hopeful now!"

Why not try searching for a phobic-friendly dentist in your area and just having a check-up? I can promise they won't bother about your breath. Their job is to help you, and that's all they care about.