Help

[malibubarbie1979]

I’m a 44 year old woman with very bad teeth, I wouldn’t even call them teeth anymore, I have extreme tartar build up and my front teeth are cracked and black! I’m at the stage where they are affecting every single aspect of my life. I’d almost prefer to die than have to deal with them from the shame and embarrassment I feel. I had very bad experiences with dentists as a child and young adult which led me to shut down completely with regard to getting dental treatment. My mother didn’t have the tools to deal with my phobia so just buried her head in the sand also! Has anyone been through similar and how did you make a start on the path to sorting it please.

 

[Enarete]

Hey malibubarbie1979

thank you so much for sharing your story with us, you're being so brave! If you take a look around here in the forum, many people have been at the same place. I see how you didn't have a great start into dealing with dentistry so no surprise that your teeth are not great.
Would it be an idea to take a look around in the internet and see whether there is any practice near you that looks like they're good with nervous patients? You could message them and tell them what you wrote here and see how they can help. Do you byany chance happen to be anywhere near Navan? Niall Neeson, an amazing dentist who is also in our advisory board here works there and would surely be able to help. We also have some further recommendations here.

 

[malibubarbie1979]

Thank you so much for your kind message, you honestly don’t know how much it means. I actually reached out to Niall a while back on Instagram and he replied so quickly offering help, I’m over 3 hours from him though and I know I’m going to need so much work it wouldn’t be practical. I didn’t do any more after reaching out to Niall, anxiety took over again, but they are gone so bad now I feel I’m backed in to a corner. I suppose I’m terrified if I book in with the wrong dentist it’ll be the final nail in the coffin along with anxiety that my teeth are beyond help and I’ll be told there’s nothing can be done.

 

[letsconnect]

@malibubarbie1979 it's absolutely a good idea to find the right dentist! Have you searched for dentists in your area yet on Google? We've got a bit of a guide here on how to do this:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Also wondering if it's easier for you to get to Dublin (where I'm sure there must be dentists who would fit the bill), and how long that would take from where you are?

 

[malibubarbie1979]

@malibubarbie1979 it's absolutely a good idea to find the right dentist! Have you searched for dentists in your area yet on Google? We've got a bit of a guide here on how to do this:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Also wondering if it's easier for you to get to Dublin (where I'm sure there must be dentists who would fit the bill), and how long that would take from where you are?

@malibubarbie1979 it's absolutely a good idea to find the right dentist! Have you searched for dentists in your area yet on Google? We've got a bit of a guide here on how to do this:

How to find a dentist for nervous patients

Discover how to find a dentist who is good with nervous, scared or phobic patients - and who to avoid!

www.dentalfearcentral.org

Also wondering if it's easier for you to get to Dublin (where I'm sure there must be dentists who would fit the bill), and how long that would take from where you are?

I’m down south of Ireland in Cork, almost 3 hours from Dublin. I’ve been doing a lot of research over the last number of days but it feels like a minefield. I wish I just knew of someone that had teeth as bad as mine and could recommend the dentist they went too, in my head then I would know they had already seen similar and are able to help. I’m aware that sounds crazy but the shame is probably the biggest concern which is causing the anxiety thank you by the way, I’ve not spoken about this openly ever bar the message to Dr. Niall Neeson a while back.

 

[letsconnect]

Well done for working up the courage to message a dentist, that must have been pretty scary. Did you ask Niall if he knows of anyone in Cork who might be suitable?

 

[malibubarbie1979]

I didn’t I honestly didn’t want to be wasting his time. I have emailed a few dentists since posting here, I only received one reply which was a bit short, basically telling me to book an appointment to get examined, I wish it was that easy I feel so helpless and lonely and at a complete loss as to what to do!

 

[letsconnect]

Do you mind if I private message you?

 

[malibubarbie1979]

Of course not, you are so good.