Just joined - my teeth are in a terrible state and im terrified.

[paulsutt]

Hi

Well the time has come to face my very worst fears. Im glad ive found this forum though.

My story - im 46 - I havent been to the dentists for a long long time and now im paying the price. My teeth over the past two years are in a terrible state. A few have basically disintegrated and now my main molars are either infected, crumbling or a mixture. Im ashamed and in pain a lot of the time. I know that most of my teeth will have to come out - and I do want them out. Im sick and tired of suffering so much pain over the years with infections etc etc. Some of this is due to a GERD condition which I do think has contributed to the breakdown of my teeth,

The worst thing is I had a lot of dentistry work done on me when I was young - braces etc.

Im based in Worcs. I know there is a good dentist practise in Evesham but im worried about the huge costs involved. I really do think im going to need to go to a specalist place for nervous patients.

Can anyone over any advise..or has anyone been or going through the same thing?

Thanks in advance

Paul

 

[carole]

Hi to the forum.

Have you had a look in the dentist recommendations part of the forum to see if anyone has put a dentist near you on there. The dentist recommended are all tried and tested by people on here, we understand how you are feeling and we have all being there with the fear and the nerves. There is a large selection of different fears on here.

You don't always need to go somewhere that advertises that they treat nervous patients, a lot of dentist understand and take it easy on us while we build up a trust with them. My own dentist doesn't say that they treat nervous patients but they are very good and I as a very nervous patient have overcome a lot of my fears.

You need a dentist that will listen to you and put your comfort first, also taking things at a pace that you feel you can cope with too. They will not judge you or tell you off, if they do make you feel uncomfortable in any way you leave and don't go back. You find someone else.

You can try contacting a few dentists near to where you are wanting to travel to and email them, explain how you have on here how you feel and ask if they would be able to help you in getting the treatment you may need. See what answers you get back and contact the one or ones you like the look of.

Good luck let us know how you get on please

 

[Steve In Cleveland]

Hi Paulsutt,

My story was very similar to yours: most of my molars were broken and disintegrating, a combination of giant amalgam fillings when I was young (due to not learning good dental hygiene), and then twenty or more years of neglect as an adult.

I found a compassionate dentist last year, who treated me from the very start with compassion and dignity. There were no lectures or questions, she just helped me make a plan to fix my teeth back up. In my case I had some molars that were broken/decayed clear down to the gumline, but she was able to save all but one of them, and with really no pain at all. We started slow and after a couple of appointments of no pain, I learned to relax a bit and trust my dentist more, and now I have a full see of beautiful (to me) teeth and no pain or anxiety. It's completely changed my life. So it's not too late.

There are lots of great success stories here that you can read through to boost your spirits. And even people who have gotten full dentures say they are so much happier now, and surprised how easy it was once they started. It's really terrifying to take that first step, but a good compassionate dentist will really help you get through and not judge or hurt you.

I also have GERD, and was prescribed omeprazole (sold commercially in the US under the brand name Prilosec, and I think Losec in the UK). It's been a miracle for me. One pill every morning, no side effects, and not a single incidence of heartburn since. Not even a little, not even after a spicy meal. You might want to talk to your doctor about this.

Good luck on your journey, and congratulations on working up the courage to post here. I know it's not easy, but it does get better.

 

[Deejay]

Hi Paul, welcome I'm 45 and just gone through lots of dentistry work after 10 years neglect due to fear and embarrassment after teenage years of extractions and braces etc... Re costs I am with a NHS dentist so far I have had X-rays, impressions, happy air, 17 extractions, scale, polishes and immediate dentures and I still have 4 appointments to come for my permanent dentures, and this is around the £200 I am so glad I went ahead with my treatment and even though finding the money has been a struggle as I have had unrelated long hospital stays this year with no money coming in but every penny is well worth it for the confidence and health benefits, can I wish you all the best in your journey, with you every step of the way.
D.J

 

[Dr. Daniel]

Hi,

sorry to read about your difficult situation. You have certainly did well by joining this wonderful forum.
If you choose to share with us more about (for example: what are you afraid of, what can improve yourdental experience) you will receive so much love and support as also useful advises from the other members.

 

[paulsutt]

Hi

Thankyou all for your replies. As suggested I think it will be a good idea to contact local dentists first to see if/how they deal with very nervous patients! I must admit reading your replies has raised my spirits a bit.

It really sucks the life out of you when you cant eat without pain and also a toothache is a regular occurance!

Steve - I have been prescribed omeprazole. I had to visit the docs about 6 times before they started to listen about my GERD. I used to get bad heartburn but that then stopped - however what did start to happen was I had to constantly clear my throat from phlegm - not nice!! I then read somewhere that this can be a side effect of GERD. Eventually I went to an ENT specialist who put a camera up my nose and down my throat - not nice!..and guess what he found signs of agitation my acid. The end result being that its attacked my teeth really badly.

Dr Daniel - with regards to what scares me - well the unknown I think..also having to stay put in a chair!
The last time I went to a dentists (and it was a long time ago) I had a root canal - it hurt like hell and I had to tell the dentist to stop. He gave me another shot but it still hurt and I just put up with it.

I have to admit that I do like the sound of the IV shot beforehand. I would prefer to have this as I think I would need it.

Other thing is I regularly have to clear my throat at the moment - what happens if I need to keep clearing my throat when they are doing this?...sounds daft I know.

Paul

 

[Dr. Daniel]

The last time I went to a dentists (and it was a long time ago) I had a root canal - it hurt like hell and I had to tell the dentist to stop. He gave me another shot but it still hurt and I just put up with it.

I have to admit that I do like the sound of the IV shot beforehand. I would prefer to have this as I think I would need it.

Paul, it sounds like you were traumatized by this last treatment. A good dentist with tender loving care will help you to cope the trauma, deal with the anxiety and provide you with the good dental treatment you deserve.
I am not a big fan of IV because it does not allow you to cope with the dental experience, instead it helps you to avoid it, but avoiding is not the answer. I would consider sedation as an extreme resort: after trying and not succeeding coping, or if you need help fast.

Regarding clearing the throat: Every experienced dentist has small tricks to deal with the patient's concerns and needs. When there is a will, there is a way. Once your dentist feels obligated to address these needs, these "challenges" will be solved.

 

[carole]

Hi you should have been totally numb when you had the rct. I think when you find the right dentist you will find that things are very different to the way you were treated back then.

I was terrified at the thought of even going to the dentist and with some very patient dentists and totally pain free treatment I now go only slightly nervous but not worried as I used to be.

One tip I can give you is to arrange a stop signal when you are going to see the dentist for even a check up, this way if you feel you need to clear your throat you can stop them and let them know. Also if at any time you feel anything when having work done, tell them and if you need more numbing stuff they will give it.

I hope you get plenty of replies when you do contact dentists, there is the right dentist out there for you. Good luck