Just went to the dentist, everything people here fear happened to me

[ThisIsAllBad]

I'm in my early 20s. Haven't been to the dentist since I was in elementary school, not because of a phobia but just pure laziness and neglect

Finally went today and it was awful. I have double digit amount of cavities, an ungodly amount of plaque/tartar, inflamed gums. I lied to the dentist about how often I brush and she saw right through my BS. My father went with me and the dentist laid into me right in front of my father. Told him I have horrible habits, don't brush and pretty much implied I'm very immature for my age. Worst of all, to fix all of this would require a huge bill that my families insurance doesn't cover

Every single thing you guys fear happened to me

Here's my advice

1. Go alone. Don't let them show you up in front of a loved one

2. Don't go during peak hours. Either go when they first open or near closing time

3. Preferably go to a dentist in an area where you don't know many people

4. Don't go to a dentist of the opposite sex. It will make you feel more self conscious

I regret ever scheduling an appointment. Will be headed back in a few days for a cleaning smh

 

[FearfulInMA]

I'm sorry this happened. A dentist should never shame you. They are there to help. It's fine if they want to give you advice on how to improve your oral hygiene, but shaming you won't help.

You always have the right to ask your parent to leave of to not have them in the room. The dentist and your parents should respect that. It's complicated if they are helping to pay for treatment - so I understand that part.

If you haven't gone to a dentist since elementary school, that was primarily your parents' responsibility as you were a child and they were responsible for your health and welfare. Given that it sounds like you haven't been to a dentist for around 10 years or so, it doesn't seem unreasonable that you'd have a fair amount of tartar build up and inflamed gums - even if you'd had a great oral hygiene routine. Genetics and diet also play a significant role in how susceptible are teeth are to decay.

Just a note about going to a dentist of the opposite sex - I think comfort level really varies person to person and dentist to dentist.

Best of luck to you with your cleaning appointment!

 

[Davee]

How terrible to be shamed like that! I am so sorry that happened to you. Your dentist is not the one for you. Find a compassionate dentist who will help you. I never flossed my teeth before I had dental problems. Now I religiously floss and take meticulous care of my teeth because I received help from a caring dentist. BTW- I am in the healthcare field. I take care of plenty of people who do not take care of themselves and I do it with a caring attitude. Not because I am the most caring person in the world, but because they pay me to do this. If I can't treat them right I have no reason to accept their money.

I remember my dentist down playing my not good enough hygiene. He tried to make me feel that there were other factors in play and I really wasn't to blame. It was a psychological trick to make me buy into taking better care of my teeth and it worked.

 

[comfortdentist]

Your dentist is an ass.

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

Your dentist is someone who I would not want to visit as well.

Advice is good, but being shamed is bad.

I remember my childhood dentist always use to have a dig at me when I was a child, in front of my parents as well. I did not have any fillngs done when I was a child, but needed a few teeth taken out as I could not carry 32 teeth.

 

[gamergirl123]

I'm in my early 20s. Haven't been to the dentist since I was in elementary school, not because of a phobia but just pure laziness and neglect

Finally went today and it was awful. I have double digit amount of cavities, an ungodly amount of plaque/tartar, inflamed gums. I lied to the dentist about how often I brush and she saw right through my BS. My father went with me and the dentist laid into me right in front of my father. Told him I have horrible habits, don't brush and pretty much implied I'm very immature for my age. Worst of all, to fix all of this would require a huge bill that my families insurance doesn't cover

Every single thing you guys fear happened to me

Here's my advice

1. Go alone. Don't let them show you up in front of a loved one

2. Don't go during peak hours. Either go when they first open or near closing time

3. Preferably go to a dentist in an area where you don't know many people

4. Don't go to a dentist of the opposite sex. It will make you feel more self conscious

I regret ever scheduling an appointment. Will be headed back in a few days for a cleaning smh

You really might want to get a second opinion. There are dentists out there that like trying to scam patients plus the dentist sounds like an all out jerk.

 

[MissMercy]

Your dentist is an ass.

You are not kidding!! Wow!

 

[dinosaurus]

Damn, sorry your dentist shamed you like that. That isn't cool, at all.