• Dental Phobia Support

    Welcome! This is an online support group for anyone who is has a severe fear of the dentist or dental treatment. Please note that this is NOT a general dental problems or health anxiety forum! You can find a list of them here.

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I have never been to a dentist

A

Andrew268

Junior member
Joined
Aug 19, 2013
Messages
1
Location
Liverpool, UK
Hi, my name is Andy, I'm 22 and I'm from the UK. Straight and simple I have never been to a dentist, and I'm scared of doing so because the current state of my teeth stops me from doing a number of things, such as smiling, laughing with my mouth open, chewing properly even talking sometimes because I fear people will judge me on my teeth. My current state is I have 3 missing back teeth and I think I have an infection in one of my front teeth and the two teeth next to my front tooth's are decaded and mostly all are bad shape and have currently my wisdom teeth coming through. I do brush 2 times a day, when as a child I never did, I didn't start properly brushing until around 16-17. But the damage to my teeth was already done. I have never spoken to anybody about teeth, not even my family. I just don't know what to do anymore, I just want the pain to stop.
 
Hello, and congratulations on taking the first step towards a pain free mouth!

It takes a lot of courage to face this fear, and you are obviously trying to find ways to make you go to a dentist. This forum will be one of your biggest tools!

Imagine how you will feel when this is no longer the cases:
the current state of my teeth stops me from doing a number of things, such as smiling, laughing with my mouth open, chewing properly even talking sometimes because I fear people will judge me on my teeth.

Pall of the things you cannot do now will ALL be fixed once you have found your dentist. The most important thing next is to find the right dentist for you. That might take a bit of time, but is so important that it is worth it. You need to find someone who is happy to listen to you and to do what you want, when you want to do it, whether that is fast or slow. Remember that you are in charge of making decisions about your mouth, not them. I would recommend you spend a bit of time looking into dentists in your area. Visit or email some surgeries and explain your situation and what you are looking for from the dentist. Be aware that even if a dentist advertises on their website that they specialise in nervous patients you shouldnt just take their word for it. That happened to me :(. Ask friends, neighbours, co-workers etc who they go to and who they'd recommend. If you are phoning surgeries, ask the receptionist who they would recommend for a nervous patient. Make sure you find someone you feel comfortable with. You can even start treatment and then decide this is not the person for you. Your choice! This forum has a section on recommended dentists, so check it out. Maybe there's one near you.

I wish you lots and lots of luck - you are being incredibly brave to take this step (but I bet you don't feel it). Well done so far!!!

:jump::jump::jump:
 
Andy Healey would be a possible option in Liverpool:

 
I'm in a similar situation, I'm 21 and haven't been to a dentist in a long time because of a bad experience with a dentist. Like you I have a couple teeth missing in the back and a few decayed front teeth. I am terrified of going to the dentist because I am so embarrassed and I'm scared of how painful any procedures might be. I've finally gotten up enough courage to at least call and make an appointment. You're not alone in your fears.
 
make the call

Hiya I've been in the same situation Iam 38 and did not go to the dentist for 15 years. I plucked the courage to find a dentist 5months ago. I had to have 6 extractions 4crowns and a partial upper plate done. But I found a dentist who I could work with and he broke me in gently to the work needed to be done over the 5months,please make that call to find a dentist. Ian Iam so glad I did. Because it didn't really hurt me much at all. Only 2 extractions we're problem ones as there was nothing
Of the teeth left. And he had them out in 5mins.find a decent dentist. And you will smile again. Like I can do now. My teeth are totally transformed. And I have a perfect smile. Without tooth aches etc. Iam a totally new man
 
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