B
boopy
Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2010
- Messages
- 28
- Location
- Boston, MA
Hi everyone!! 36 female here and have been reading this forum for a while & finally decided to post!
Well, I finally had my first dental exam in what seems likes forever and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought!!
My teeth are horrible, really stained front bottom teeth, broken wisdom teeth, broken molar, terrible breath and receding gums. It's my own fault for letting them get that way, I know that and I own that. Like most, I had a horrible, horrible dentist when I was younger (I like to call him the butcher) and have been scared to death to go ever since.
Last week I finally called the place that my friend takes her husband to, he has anxiety like me, my original appt was for this Thursday, but they had a cancellation and asked I wanted to go today. I wanted to tell them to go to hell, but decided to just get it over with. I am so glad I did.
Although I was freaking out driving there and my other friend called and started telling me about how she broke up with some guy or something, I wasn't paying attention because I was concentrating on just getting there. I don't remember most of the conversation (I know, bad friend, but she knew where I was going and what this meant to me!!)
The receptionist was so kind and sweet and told me it would be ok. When they finally called me in I started panicking again. I told the Dr's assistant what's been going on, then I broke out in tears. I've been just so embarrassed and mad at myself for letting it get so bad and told her that I'm embarrassed for them to even look at me. She was the sweetest thing and extremely understanding. Once I stopped crying she asked if she can look at the teeth. She was so gentle!! Then she asked if she could take Xrays... I said yes. Again...she was very gentle and we were making jokes about how she doesn't have to go to the gym because she kept running out of the room to activate the machine. On my way back teeth, she had me hold the camera because I have a gag reflex and slightly gagged. But that's just me....not the woman's fault!! You should see me at my regular Dr's office when I need to get my throat swabbed when I go for a cold....oh yeah..it usually takes about a half hour to do haha.
They had a little screen attached to the chair so I could view the Xrays as they happened. I thought that was cool. When she went to go get the dentist I just sat there looking at my teeth thinking "what the hell did I do to myself" and was feeling so ashamed.
Then the dentist came in and he was so nice and kind, very funny and sooooo understanding. He asked to look in mouth, again I said yes and again, it was gentle. He made me feel so comfortable.
Then he told me the news...I have gum disease, which I kinda figured. He wants to take out the wisdom teeth and the roots of the broken tooth. And I have a couple of cavities that need to be taken care of. He also said that my stained teeth in the front (they are a nice shade of brown) can be cleaned up pretty easily. I was shocked by that, I thought he was going to tell me he was going to pull them. They are so gross for me to look at, I can't imagine what other people think when they talk to me.
So my next appt is this Saturday the 13th. They are going to start with a deep scaling cleaning. They are going to do my upper left and lower left side to start. they are going to clean up my front teeth, and he said he could probably take out the wisdom teeth too on that side if I wanted. I said let's do it. Then I will go back the day after thanksgiving to have my upper right and lower right done. I will go back in the beginning of December to make sure everything is ok and he said he will have a better determination if I need to see the "gum specialist" He doesn't think so, but just to make sure. then he said at that point we will talk about when my next visit to be to take care of the cavities. Then he wants me in every 3 months for a cleaning. Which is fine. I reallly, really, really liked this guy. He spelled everything out for me, gave me some pamphlets on gum disease and even drew me some pictures of whats going on haha. I felt so comfortable with him that I was craking some jokes on him too, which is funny considering I was balling my eyes out just a little while earlier haha.
It's going to be a process... but I'm ready. It took me 2 years to make this call. Just the thought of going made me sick to my stomach. And every time someone brought their dental visit, I would become quiet and put my head down because I was so embarrassed. My teeth have been holding me back for so long and I'm tired of it. Why can't I enjoy life like everyone else? why can't I have a conversation with someone and not get nervous of them looking at my teeth? I deserve to be happy....and so don't YOU!!!
But the worst part is over. I thought they were going to yell at me and judge me and they didn't. He told me my teeth weren't the worse he's ever seen...not even in the top 100!!
When I go next week, he wants me to take a valium an hour before, then they will give me nitrous. I'm still scared, but I'm so relieved that I finally went!!! And I just want to get this done and over with. I told him I want this done as quick as possible.
I know a lot of you are scared...but I am too and I'm telling you...it's ok. Look online, go to this website for support and to talk about your fears (this place has been beyond helpful to me!!) find a dentist, do your research and see if the place is good for you and will help you with your fears. If you find someone nice....it's so much easier to go. Trust me, if I can go...you can go!! I am you and you are me and we CAN get threw this!!! And we can do this together!
Sorry this is a novel!!! But a big hug to all of you and good luck and I'm sending you all out good vibes to get the courage and the strength to call. The first phone call is the worst, but you can do it!!!
I think I need a beer now!!! Have a good night everyone and much love to you all!!!
Well, I finally had my first dental exam in what seems likes forever and it actually wasn't as bad as I thought!!
My teeth are horrible, really stained front bottom teeth, broken wisdom teeth, broken molar, terrible breath and receding gums. It's my own fault for letting them get that way, I know that and I own that. Like most, I had a horrible, horrible dentist when I was younger (I like to call him the butcher) and have been scared to death to go ever since.
Last week I finally called the place that my friend takes her husband to, he has anxiety like me, my original appt was for this Thursday, but they had a cancellation and asked I wanted to go today. I wanted to tell them to go to hell, but decided to just get it over with. I am so glad I did.
Although I was freaking out driving there and my other friend called and started telling me about how she broke up with some guy or something, I wasn't paying attention because I was concentrating on just getting there. I don't remember most of the conversation (I know, bad friend, but she knew where I was going and what this meant to me!!)
The receptionist was so kind and sweet and told me it would be ok. When they finally called me in I started panicking again. I told the Dr's assistant what's been going on, then I broke out in tears. I've been just so embarrassed and mad at myself for letting it get so bad and told her that I'm embarrassed for them to even look at me. She was the sweetest thing and extremely understanding. Once I stopped crying she asked if she can look at the teeth. She was so gentle!! Then she asked if she could take Xrays... I said yes. Again...she was very gentle and we were making jokes about how she doesn't have to go to the gym because she kept running out of the room to activate the machine. On my way back teeth, she had me hold the camera because I have a gag reflex and slightly gagged. But that's just me....not the woman's fault!! You should see me at my regular Dr's office when I need to get my throat swabbed when I go for a cold....oh yeah..it usually takes about a half hour to do haha.
They had a little screen attached to the chair so I could view the Xrays as they happened. I thought that was cool. When she went to go get the dentist I just sat there looking at my teeth thinking "what the hell did I do to myself" and was feeling so ashamed.
Then the dentist came in and he was so nice and kind, very funny and sooooo understanding. He asked to look in mouth, again I said yes and again, it was gentle. He made me feel so comfortable.
Then he told me the news...I have gum disease, which I kinda figured. He wants to take out the wisdom teeth and the roots of the broken tooth. And I have a couple of cavities that need to be taken care of. He also said that my stained teeth in the front (they are a nice shade of brown) can be cleaned up pretty easily. I was shocked by that, I thought he was going to tell me he was going to pull them. They are so gross for me to look at, I can't imagine what other people think when they talk to me.
So my next appt is this Saturday the 13th. They are going to start with a deep scaling cleaning. They are going to do my upper left and lower left side to start. they are going to clean up my front teeth, and he said he could probably take out the wisdom teeth too on that side if I wanted. I said let's do it. Then I will go back the day after thanksgiving to have my upper right and lower right done. I will go back in the beginning of December to make sure everything is ok and he said he will have a better determination if I need to see the "gum specialist" He doesn't think so, but just to make sure. then he said at that point we will talk about when my next visit to be to take care of the cavities. Then he wants me in every 3 months for a cleaning. Which is fine. I reallly, really, really liked this guy. He spelled everything out for me, gave me some pamphlets on gum disease and even drew me some pictures of whats going on haha. I felt so comfortable with him that I was craking some jokes on him too, which is funny considering I was balling my eyes out just a little while earlier haha.
It's going to be a process... but I'm ready. It took me 2 years to make this call. Just the thought of going made me sick to my stomach. And every time someone brought their dental visit, I would become quiet and put my head down because I was so embarrassed. My teeth have been holding me back for so long and I'm tired of it. Why can't I enjoy life like everyone else? why can't I have a conversation with someone and not get nervous of them looking at my teeth? I deserve to be happy....and so don't YOU!!!
But the worst part is over. I thought they were going to yell at me and judge me and they didn't. He told me my teeth weren't the worse he's ever seen...not even in the top 100!!
When I go next week, he wants me to take a valium an hour before, then they will give me nitrous. I'm still scared, but I'm so relieved that I finally went!!! And I just want to get this done and over with. I told him I want this done as quick as possible.
I know a lot of you are scared...but I am too and I'm telling you...it's ok. Look online, go to this website for support and to talk about your fears (this place has been beyond helpful to me!!) find a dentist, do your research and see if the place is good for you and will help you with your fears. If you find someone nice....it's so much easier to go. Trust me, if I can go...you can go!! I am you and you are me and we CAN get threw this!!! And we can do this together!
Sorry this is a novel!!! But a big hug to all of you and good luck and I'm sending you all out good vibes to get the courage and the strength to call. The first phone call is the worst, but you can do it!!!
I think I need a beer now!!! Have a good night everyone and much love to you all!!!
from me to you!
That gives me lots of hope that the staining can be removed. I know I need other work too, but those teeth are in the back and these are up front and I didn't think it was noticeable because it was on my bottom teeth..boy, was I wrong! I'll take an OK smile anyday over the one I have now!!!
) I think once the stain is off, I'll feel happier and more at ease with what else they have to do! And teeth whitening??? Never thought I could ever get to the point where that would be an option!! I'm so happy for you!!!
