emergency appointment after years without brushing

[nightfury]

hi. im really nervous to post this but i need to get it out somewhere.

im 17. when i was a kid i could not stand brushing my teeth, my parents tried everything but i never formed the habit, and eventually i think they just gave up. my last dentist appointment was probably when i was 10 or under, as i dont remember it. they never really checked in again and left me to it, and ive basically never consistently brushed my teeth. i also experienced trauma and ongoing depression and suicidal ideation which led me to not care about my teeth.

a few months ago i completely lost a molar, i have some gum swelling/redness, and maybe the start of some recession. i also have a deep bite which i think may need braces.

a few days ago i started having severe throbbing pain in the tooth next to the one i lost and in my jaw. i had experienced this before but this time i finally managed to tell my parents about the problems ive been having. with no NHS dentists i feel like such a burden needing private care, and im so embarrassed and ashamed of my teeth.

ive been trying to brush at least once a day for the past few weeks but im terrified of going to my appointment. my dad said he could speak to the dentist and explain some of my situation to avoid a big lecture (i feel bad enough already) but im still so scared and i dont know what will happen.

how do i deal with guilt around costing my parents money for private treatment?

 

[Lozboz]

@nightfury hello. Please don’t worry about the dentist judging you - they absolutely won’t at all and will just want to fix any problems you’re having. There is nothing worse than dental pain (from experience!). Your parents willl definitely just be wanting you to be pain free and sorted, try not to worry about the costs too much. I’m a mum and I’d hate to see any of my children in pain and would pay anything for them not to be. The benefit of a private dentist is that they’ll have much longer appointments which I think is so much better when you’re nervous. I really hope all goes well, keep us updated.