Extreme phobia of losing teeth

[Scotland]

Hi there I was just looking for some advice and reassurance as I’m absolutely petrified at the thought of losing my teeth and having to get dentures, to the point I feel like I’d rather die.


I’m 23 and I have been to the dentist since I was about 14 and haven’t looked after my teeth very well. I’ve always been petrified of the dentist which is why I haven’t been in years although there is absolutely no excuse for me not looking after then, that’s my fault and I kick myself now.

I had got it into my head that when I went in to the dentist they will be the worst teeth he has ever seen but having seen a page on here that went over that fear and showed you a few pictures and my teeth are no where near as bad so that did reassure me massively.

I haven’t actually lost any teeth I have a full set and none are loose or anything with two cracked teeth upper right side of my mouth but those teeth are only cracked on one side and there is still a lot of those two teeth left. A also have a crack in my Lower front tooth. There is no pain or anything like that from my teeth or gums but my gums don’t look the best but again there is no pain there when I eat or brush. One of the things is that my front 4 (teeth upper and lower) are really yellow and it’s like the enamel has worn away. The lower and upper side with the two cracked teeth are really yellow etc and have lost enamel to. The left side of my mouth is nigh on perfect. It’s really affected my confidence when out socialising to have and I couldn’t tell you the last time I smiled in a picture. I often think about the embarrassment of being snapped unaware and everyone seeing my smile.

I wondering what will happen to my left side, is there a procedure that could strengthen teeth so I don’t loose them ?



Thanks

 

[MissJoy]

Hi Scotland - Sending you a big hug. I can relate to you as I have been in your position. After my braces were taken off at 17 I did not go back to the dentist until I was 29. And then not again until I was 40. What I have learned is that dentists do everything they can to preserve your teeth. And there are really are so many things that can be done. Extractions are the last resort. It sounds like you are in a good place since your teeth are not loose and you do not have any pain. Cracks can be replaced with fillings or crowns depending on the size/type of crack. Prescription fluoride (along with a healthy diet) can strengthen your teeth. Your yellowing could also be staining or tartar build up. I'm not a dentist but as a now experienced patient what you described it does not sound like you would lose any teeth. The best way to find out is to visit the dentist. You are still young and you have time to turn this around.

Goodluck!

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

MissJoy is right dentist will do everything to help save your teeth to avoid taking any out. I go every three months, due to a difficult mouth and small mouth for the last 10 years I been giving special toothpaste sorted with a high fluoride of 5000ppm, now I am down to 2800ppm.

 

[Enarete]

Hi Scotland, dental fear is a crazy thing and can make us believe things that actually will never happen. I absolutely agree with MissJoy in all points.
Don't judge yourself for not having taken care of your teeth in the past, I'm quite sure it wasn't your fault. The only important thing is to try to move things forward now so that you get things fixed and make sure to never come back to the place you are now at. You deserve to be able to smile and laugh as much as you like and to feel confident in social situations.

 

[Scotland]

Thanks for the replies guys. I’ve made an appointment for after work on Thursday and my mums cousin is the dental assistant so hopefully that takes some of the dread away. Gums have been itchy ever since I posted which is weird, had no problem pain wise then as soon as I read some horror stories and people going and having all of their teeth removed, the anxiety started and my gums started itching, I do suffer from anxiety and panic attack’s although I haven’t had a panic attack in a while as I know what they are now and can deal with them better. Think I do have receeding gums on one side of my mouth, I’ve just been brushing my teeth twice a day and using Corsodyl and I’ll do that up until my appointment and see that the damage is.

 

[toothsome]

Hi there, I have the same fear, and avoided going to the dentist forever because I was afraid what the dentist would say. I just had my first appointment since I was in middle or high school (I’m 26 now) and my dentist told me I only need two cavities filled and my wisdom teeth out. It is so much better to know and be able to deal with it. And from what you are describing your teeth are probably pretty good, and you just need a check up to make sure everything is ok. I was doing the same thing as you, looking at every stain in my mouth and being sure it was decay or whatnot. Turned out I just needed a good cleaning to get rid of 10 +years of tartar... slightly yellow teeth are perfectly normal, and necessarily a sign of anything bad. Just go get them looked at and you will feel so much better!

 

[Scotland]

Got my appointment in 20 minutes absolutely dreading it, had a terrible day at work as I just couldn’t concentrate at all

 

[Scotland]

Hi there, I have the same fear, and avoided going to the dentist forever because I was afraid what the dentist would say. I just had my first appointment since I was in middle or high school (I’m 26 now) and my dentist told me I only need two cavities filled and my wisdom teeth out. It is so much better to know and be able to deal with it. And from what you are describing your teeth are probably pretty good, and you just need a check up to make sure everything is ok. I was doing the same thing as you, looking at every stain in my mouth and being sure it was decay or whatnot. Turned out I just needed a good cleaning to get rid of 10 +years of tartar... slightly yellow teeth are perfectly normal, and necessarily a sign of anything bad. Just go get them looked at and you will feel so much better!

I just had my first visit there I had that big a build up of tartar that the dentist decided to clean some of right away, talk about panic stations lol just had to get on with it though and despite some minor discomfort and blood I never really felt anything, don’t get me wrong it’s not pleasant but could have been a lot worse. I will admit that when I felt my front teeth I honestly as though I had none left that’s when I stated panicking and I asked the dentists if I had any teeth left and to his credit he was brilliant in reassuring me. Still a long way to go and I’m not out of the woods yet and I have 3 more appointments booked next one 4th of May.


It does feel really weird, my lower front teeth feel like they are not there anymore and there’s still a lot of tartar on my right lower side, my teeth must have been 3 times the size due to tartar build up and I was actually just brushing on top of the tartar now I can get right into my front teeth.

 

[Dg6300]

Great! Well done.

You're doing great. Keep it up. Keep us posted. I'm very interested to hear how you are making progress.

 

[Enarete]

Hi Scotland, well done! Good to hear how you got on and it seems that it wasn't as bad as you thought - no dentures, no teeth to lose It must really feel weird now, the mouth is so sensitive and even the slightest changes can feel overwhelming so if there is a part of what you thought was your teeth missing, you will certainly need a bit of time to get used to it. I would certainly panick too. Hope it feels natural soon.
Happy to hear that your dentist was able to reassure you.

All the best wishes for your next appointment, look forward to hear how you are doing

 

[Scotland]

Hi Scotland, well done! Good to hear how you got on and it seems that it wasn't as bad as you thought - no dentures, no teeth to lose It must really feel weird now, the mouth is so sensitive and even the slightest changes can feel overwhelming so if there is a part of what you thought was your teeth missing, you will certainly need a bit of time to get used to it. I would certainly panick too. Hope it feels natural soon.
Happy to hear that your dentist was able to reassure you.

All the best wishes for your next appointment, look forward to hear how you are doing

Thanks a lot

My dentist did say that he has to clean the tartar off first to really see the condition of my teeth etc but my front lower teeth have Been done and despite a really big build up of plaque they feel okay, not loose or anything so hopefully they will be ok and still need my back row on my lower right side scaled as well so we’ll just have to wait and see. I might need some cosmetic work done to my front teeth which would be the best case scenario which I’m totally fine with, I just hope and prey that I keep most of them as I really dread the thought of dentures, permanent implants don’t bother me at all is just the thought of having teeth that you have to take out etc that worries me . He did say it will take a few appointments to work on my gums but it’s a step in the right direction.

 

[Zoidberg444]

That's good news mate. I recently went to the dentist for the first time in 10 years. I had multiple extractions but i couldn't believe how much tartar was on my teeth. I freaked out a few years ago because i thought it was my enamel coming off. There literally was more tartar than tooth on my front ones and that was just a quick scrape and polish i did with the dentist. I'm going in for a 45 minute session with the hygienist on the 21st of May.

Its good you're getting this done now before you end up with serious problems like periodontal disease!

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Even though I go to dentist regularly I got a difficult mouth to keep clean, small mouth, I had a bit of treatment duiring my 34 years and lost one adult tooth. had a few baby teeth removed when I was about seven some under general and some under local, I think a few I was not trusted to sit still, I hate that nurse who told me i could not go home because I was unsteady on my feet.

I feel all the time I will lost teeth when I go to the dentist, my teeth look worst than there do, because of the over crowding problem, my dentist has seen a lot worst than mine.

 

[Scotland]

That's good news mate. I recently went to the dentist for the first time in 10 years. I had multiple extractions but i couldn't believe how much tartar was on my teeth. I freaked out a few years ago because i thought it was my enamel coming off. There literally was more tartar than tooth on my front ones and that was just a quick scrape and polish i did with the dentist. I'm going in for a 45 minute session with the hygienist on the 21st of May.

Its good you're getting this done now before you end up with serious problems like periodontal disease!

Aye I was very similar regarding enamel, I thought my tooth cracked but it was actually just tartar. When I ran my tongue across my front teeth as I was taking a break form getting them scrapped it honestly felt as if I only had stumps left. I was absolutely terrified.