I need some encouragement...............

[Kaley28]

Hi All

I'm glad I've found this forum - it's making me realise I'm not the only person in this situation.

I haven't been to see a dentist for around 15 years now & am living with a mouthful of broken, yellowed, chipped and wonky teeth. I'm very ashamed of myself for letting them get to this stage but after a bad experience as a child I was left petrified of dentists.

I'd learnt to live with my smile (in that I mumble most of the time so as not to show my teeth when talking and I always smile with my mouth closed) but am now beginning to see that I am just existing rather than living.

I got in a touch with a practice not too far away (via email) after I did some internet research about dentists that specialise in nervous patients and the practice co-ordinator has since come back to me. I can go for an appointment to see her free of charge before I see an actual dentist. She will introduce me to the staff, show me around and discuss my options. This seems like a good idea and I think this will help put me at ease. OR it could have the exact opposite effect and send me running for the hills. Who knows how I will react after this long. The thought of sitting in a waiting room with people with beautiful teeth intimidates me as I feel like I will be judged.

I just need to get up the courage to actually call & set this up. It makes me feel weak and very small when I can't even seem to do this but i'm absolutely terrified of what they will tell me when I see the dentist

Thanks for reading.

 

[chickenjen]

Hi, Kaley and!
Don't be intimidated by the patients..................they are patients after all and they may be having work done in order to KEEP their smiles white.
I like the fact that your first encounter with the dental office is with the practice co-ordinator............kind of introduce you to the dental office. You can get a feel for the place WITHOUT actually having an appointment.
If something doesn't feel right at that office, don't make another appointment. It doesn't mean that you failed or that there is something wrong with you............it just means that this particular dental office isn't right for you.
I hope that this dental office is right for you and that you'll feel comfortable enough to begin getting treatment.
Much and many 's!!!
Jen

 

[grace-e]

Hi Kaley!
I too haven't been to the dentist in 8 years and i have cracked/missing teeth etc. I'm in the same boat as you and my anxiety kicks in just thinking about dentist. I've been doing research on some offices near by, but didn't have the courage to make an appointment. I'm afraid of what they'll think. It's frustrating. And i feel the same way about making an appointment and not following through with it. I'm glad to know we all feel just about the same way. I find encouragement to take another step into overcoming this fear. My goal today is to finally take a step and get an appointment with a dentist. Good luck!