Extremely anxious and trying to to figure out how to cope with the damage I’ve done. .

[Emmylou]

Never posted in a forum before but I’m on the brink of a panic attack and hoping that venting here might bring some relief. There’s ultiple things wrong with my teeth I need to see a dentist for but Ive been able to ignore the problems and manage without addressing them at all. But it’s all caught up to me and I’m devastated. I had no idea how much my gums had receded and didn’t realize that it could lead to tooth loss until very recently. I knew mine were bad but stress from the holidays and not sleeping has caused so much tension and I’ve been nonstop clenching my job. My permanent retainer on my bottom front teeth broke a long time ago, with the teeth grinding and gum loss my bottom teeth have shifted a lot in a short amount of time. I couldn’t stop pushing on them with my top teeth and clenching my job no matter how hard I tried. Now I’m completely frozen scared to touch my teeth together cause I just know they’re going to fall out with more pressure.
it’s my own fault I ended up like this and I feel so much self loathing and hopelessness.

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi. I don’t know what your dental situation is, but you should know that usually the front lower teeth tend to get crowded and overlap a bit one another around the age of 40-50. Might be also in your case.

 

[Emmylou]

My bottom front teeth were straight until recently. I broke the permanent retainer that was on them a year ago but they hadn’t shifted significantly until this last month or two.

I think im going to lose my bottom front teeth though. I had no idea how bad my gum recession was or that it could lead to tooth loss. Im just hoping they don’t fall out or anything major happens before I figure out what I can do about seeing a dentist.

 

[Debbie K]

@Emmylou I am afraid of dental work. When I needed an extraction I paid extra to be put to sleep, they use a twilight so when you wake up you don't feel that bad. I have found a dentist I trust. When I go in to the office, even for a cleaning, they prescribe two valium (I don't drink or take any medications but for this I will.) I'm directed to take one the night before and then one an hour before my visit. I have found if I take both I'm too loopy so I just take the one, 1-hour before my visit. I helps my body relax very much and seems to remove the anxiety and fear. I hope this helps.

 

[Emmylou]

@Debbie K that’s a good idea. I think it’s the only way I’ll be able to go to an appointment