R
randomuser375
Former Member
Haven't been to the dentist in over 15 years and I'm scared to death, what should I expect?
Hi everyone,
Here's my background. I'm a 32 year old male and I haven't been to the dentist in over 15 years or so. Mostly due to the fact that I never had dental insurance and I had a very very bad experience as a kid.
So as a child when I went to the dentist, I'm not even sure exactly what procedures were done, but they hurt. I don't know if the dentist didn't put enough Novocaine, but I felt the pain associated with the dental drill. I was in excruciating pain, but not once did my dentist ask if I needed anything. Also, whenever I did go for the visits, I would always be put down and ridiculed by the assistant and the dentist during the procedures. I was mortified and vowed that I would never go back.
I'm going to be honest, I wasn't the very best at keeping good oral hygiene. There was a few periods of my life during high school and college where I didn't keep up my brushing as well as I should. Also, I NEVER flossed, even until this day. But more during my adult years post college, I've been brushing twice a day and using mouthwash. I'm pretty sure it's already too late. I also avoid sweets as much as I can, and when I drink any type of soda or juices, I either use a straw, or if I don't have a straw, I will gulp the beverage directly down my throat to try and avoid any direct contact with my teeth. I want to believe that this practice has benefited my teeth somewhat.
I am now in the workforce and am lucky enough to have some dental insurance. I've had it for at least several years, but could not push myself to go... I am still terrified. I know I have cavities, I have some sensitive teeth, and I have dull aches here and there, especially in the molar areas towards the right side of my jaws, but no excruciating pain. Once in a while, I can taste either some blood/foul odor in my mouth where my molars are after eating. But strangely enough, there's rarely any blood when I brush my teeth. From what I can tell at this point, I don't observe any visible holes in my teeth, cracks, or any sign of significant decay(comparing to pictures I've seen on google). Also, I think my gums have recessed a little, but they don't hurt and aren't swollen. My greatest fear at this point, is going to the dentist, and the dentist telling me that I need to get 15 teeth extracted and get dentures. I really don't know what to expect at this point. I'm a hypochondriac and I always fear the worst. I keep telling myself that even though it doesn't look too bad from the outside, my teeth and gums have probably rotted away and infected under the tooth and that I have advanced stages of periodontal disease... I'm seriously terrified and afraid of what I have to face.
Another thing that worries me is the cost. I know I have insurance, but my annual maximum is only $2000, and my paranoia is telling me that the amount won't even cover half of the things I need to get done. I'm not filthy rich, nor am I dirt poor. I have a decent job, but the out of pocket expenses frighten me as well. After doing research, dental procedures get expensive real quick.
I have never told anyone about what I'm going through as of late. So my girlfriend, bless her heart, had no idea about what I was going through and my situation. Just about a week ago, I mustered up the courage to tell her, and she was super supportive. Because of her, I did some research on some dentistry's near my area and submitted an online appointment form to make an appointment. I'm hoping to get an appointment by next Tuesday. I'm literally scared to death everyone. What should I expect?!?! From your experiences and from what I told you about the condition of my teeth, am I going to have to get teeth extracted and dentures/implants?! What should I expect? I am shaking just typing this.
Hi everyone,
Here's my background. I'm a 32 year old male and I haven't been to the dentist in over 15 years or so. Mostly due to the fact that I never had dental insurance and I had a very very bad experience as a kid.
So as a child when I went to the dentist, I'm not even sure exactly what procedures were done, but they hurt. I don't know if the dentist didn't put enough Novocaine, but I felt the pain associated with the dental drill. I was in excruciating pain, but not once did my dentist ask if I needed anything. Also, whenever I did go for the visits, I would always be put down and ridiculed by the assistant and the dentist during the procedures. I was mortified and vowed that I would never go back.
I'm going to be honest, I wasn't the very best at keeping good oral hygiene. There was a few periods of my life during high school and college where I didn't keep up my brushing as well as I should. Also, I NEVER flossed, even until this day. But more during my adult years post college, I've been brushing twice a day and using mouthwash. I'm pretty sure it's already too late. I also avoid sweets as much as I can, and when I drink any type of soda or juices, I either use a straw, or if I don't have a straw, I will gulp the beverage directly down my throat to try and avoid any direct contact with my teeth. I want to believe that this practice has benefited my teeth somewhat.
I am now in the workforce and am lucky enough to have some dental insurance. I've had it for at least several years, but could not push myself to go... I am still terrified. I know I have cavities, I have some sensitive teeth, and I have dull aches here and there, especially in the molar areas towards the right side of my jaws, but no excruciating pain. Once in a while, I can taste either some blood/foul odor in my mouth where my molars are after eating. But strangely enough, there's rarely any blood when I brush my teeth. From what I can tell at this point, I don't observe any visible holes in my teeth, cracks, or any sign of significant decay(comparing to pictures I've seen on google). Also, I think my gums have recessed a little, but they don't hurt and aren't swollen. My greatest fear at this point, is going to the dentist, and the dentist telling me that I need to get 15 teeth extracted and get dentures. I really don't know what to expect at this point. I'm a hypochondriac and I always fear the worst. I keep telling myself that even though it doesn't look too bad from the outside, my teeth and gums have probably rotted away and infected under the tooth and that I have advanced stages of periodontal disease... I'm seriously terrified and afraid of what I have to face.
Another thing that worries me is the cost. I know I have insurance, but my annual maximum is only $2000, and my paranoia is telling me that the amount won't even cover half of the things I need to get done. I'm not filthy rich, nor am I dirt poor. I have a decent job, but the out of pocket expenses frighten me as well. After doing research, dental procedures get expensive real quick.
I have never told anyone about what I'm going through as of late. So my girlfriend, bless her heart, had no idea about what I was going through and my situation. Just about a week ago, I mustered up the courage to tell her, and she was super supportive. Because of her, I did some research on some dentistry's near my area and submitted an online appointment form to make an appointment. I'm hoping to get an appointment by next Tuesday. I'm literally scared to death everyone. What should I expect?!?! From your experiences and from what I told you about the condition of my teeth, am I going to have to get teeth extracted and dentures/implants?! What should I expect? I am shaking just typing this.