I knew I had an infection for weeks but .....

[CowardlyCulchie]

I have several back teeth and one front tooth broken off at gum level and blackening.  I haven't been to the dentist for .... must be nearly 20 years.

For months I've been aware of my neck glands, and mild pain extending all around the ears, base of skull, into the shoulders even.  I was terrified my teeth were going to kill me!  I would hear horror stories of people neglecting teeth infections and getting septicaemia (sp?).  Still I wouldn't go!  it's as if I would rather actually DIE than go to a dentist!  Then I would  beat myself up for that - I'm a mother, how would my kids manage without me?  I say I'd do anything for my kids - anything, it would seem, except go to the dentist.

Shame, guilt, fear - I feel right at home here and it's great to find you people.

I took the first step about a month ago.  I went to the doctor and 'fessed up what an eejit I was.  I let him look into my mouth and lo and behold, I was not dying from my teeth    He wasn't judgemental, but did tell me I had to get on with getting treatment because there are dangers in having decaying teeth.  He didn't overdo the scaremongering though.   He said I should take a Valium before treatment.  I've never had a Valium but I felt sure it wouldn't be enought to get me into the chair. After a couple of lots of antibiotics I knew it was time to see a dentist - but I still couldn't do it.

I was too scared to pick up the phone book to look at listings of dentists!  Mad isn't it.  I started admitting to friends about my fears - something I had been too ashamed to do.  One of them recommended someone they said was wonderful with nervous patients and I finally picked up the phone.

The nurse was wonderful!  She said the dentist was "an oul' dote" (in Ireland, that's high praise  ).  She told me about IV sedation - first time I'd ever heard of it.  I wish I'd known about it years ago.  Thanks to her, I made it to the surgery on Monday.  I told the dentist, I can't believe I'm here!

He was a dote for sure, wrote down everything himself instead of calling out to a nurse, said I was a candidate for IV sedation and we decided to do all the treatment in one go next Thursday.  I hope I turn up!

He did not pass out at the sight of my teeth.  Imagine!  I need 5 blackened stumps taken out, a couple of fillings and a good clean to get rid of tartar.  I hope the IV sedation is as good as they say.

The relief of finally letting a dentist take a look!  I was sure my teeth were going to kill me before I'd go to a dentist.  I was too frightened to even search for this kind of forum - I was sure it would be full of warnings of the terrible consequences of not going to a dentist, because that makes me more scared to go.

Anyone else too scared to take the first step of going to the dentist - if you have a trust in your doctor why not take my babystep of going there first.  

 

[hdf2]

Hi CC and welcome to the board.
I too, had not been to the dentist for over 20 years, and like you, I thought i would rather die than have dental treatment, I couldnt even walk past a dental practice. After an ongoing infection being treated for months with antibiotics, I finally plucked up the courage to start my journey over a year ago(it may even be longer than that lol), and with Iv sedation I had the treatment done, and couldnt remember anything about it!
It sounds like you have indeed found a nice dentist who is going to do everything they can to help you through your treatment. In the meantime, as your appointment nears, please post on here as much as you need to, you'll get tons of support. I know it helped me on the days leading up to my appointments.