Just nervous, no dentist in six years, poor oral hygiene for twenty four years

[ToothySticker]

Just nervous, no dentist in six years, poor oral hygiene for twenty four years

I have autism and I have had sensory issues all my life, one of the big ones being brushing teeth & mouthwash. It was so bad I was constantly gagging and throwing up.
well, now I have got around the toothbrushing fear because I practiced for a month with just the brush and water. I started using an anti gingivitis mouthwash, and got used to that, too. Finally, I got a fruit flavored fluoride tooth gel, and I'm doing much better. Just bought flossing picks, and I'm incorporating them too, at long last.
but here's the problem... That's nearly 25 years of not brushing. 6 years of not seeing the dentist. I have cavities all over, I'm sure, and in two places, I can see plaque buildup.
I know I should just go to a dental school but I am so afraid. Yeah, I'm scared they're going to be awful, and not listen, I'm afraid the way I'm afraid of the doctor, I'm afraid of pain. I am petrified of needles and when I got two cavities as a kid, the dentist REALLY hurt me when injecting painkillers. It was awful.
But I am most scared... I don't have any pain right now. There's a lot of bleeding and like I say, cavities. No arguing here, I definitely need the dentist. But I am so worried I will go and they will do something and I will be in pain then, and it won't have been worth going, and I'll need more money and another dentist to fix the new problem...

 

[Tink]

Re: Just nervous, no dentist in six years, poor oral hygiene for twenty four years

Hi Toothy -

First of all, well done for taking those first steps! That's huge - there are plenty of us here who understand just how difficult that can be.

Step 1 is just to go and see a dentist and talk to them. They don't need to do any treatment on that first visit, it should be a chance to get to meet them and - if you feel ready - let them have a look and give you an idea of what needs to be done. Remember, you are always in control, and they cannot do anything without your consent. If they are not listening to you, then that means they are not the right dentist for you, and you are always within your rights to leave and go somewhere else.

I don't know where you are or what the situation is there, but there may be dental clinics who specialise in dealing with people with special needs who could offer you some help? They may be able to better support you in dealing with how autism and sensory issues affect having dental treatment.

 

[whittler]

Re: Just nervous, no dentist in six years, poor oral hygiene for twenty four years

Hi ToothySticker, I have been in a similar position to you.... didn't go to the dentist for getting on for 25yrs.

It probably won't be anywhere near as bad as you think in terms of cavities or other issues that you think you might have, because that's just it, you are guessing what might be wrong and until you let a dentist have a look, you really won't know.
You've got to this point, you can get to the next step and find a dentist who will help you and then take one step at a time, at your pace. Explain from the start that you are nervous, and don't be worried about what they might think - the treatment of people who are anxious or phobic is something a lot of dentists specialize in now, as i've just discovered.
I also have horrible problems with an overactive gag-reflex which makes things difficult and at times embarrassing, so i understand how distressing that can be, but i have just managed to get a big, full deep clean done (with gas and air sedation) yesterday and apart from a few slightly sore areas on my gums today, and my teeth feeling a bit odd, like, umm, TEETH rather than a big block of build-up, i feel so much better already.

Believe me when i say that it is well worth taking that next step. You can do it.

 

[ToothySticker]

Re: Just nervous, no dentist in six years, poor oral hygiene for twenty four years

Thanks! I'm looking into some people that might be able to help. Seeing if a local dental school will be able.