Need Encouragement & Advice

[shamed shane]

I've been living with a decaying tooth for 10 years. It's been embarrassing and anxiety inducing. Lately I've started Googling how it may be affecting my overall health and it has me staying up at night, obsessing over this tooth, and making me miserable. I have a dentist appointment Tuesday and I just need some support on getting there and getting through it. I need to gain some clarity and some peace of mind. I know I'll need it extracted, I'm just more worried about the repercussion that this will have on my health.

Any and all words will help.

 

[Courtenay]

Hey shaNE I was in your shoes not to long ago. 10 year hiatus minus one visit at the 4 or 5 hear mark for pain relief where I never went back to address issues. In the last few years I had a broken tooth or two and plenty of cavaties etc. Not sure what changed back before Xmas but I was tired of obsessing, staying up and fearing the worst. One thing I learned from here is you'll never leave the dentist worse off. For me, the fear of the un known was the worst. I assumed mine would be so bad I'd need dentures etc. Anyways I made my consult before Xmas and started work in January. Not only am I almost done I don't fear the dentist as much as I did. I mean I don't love it but I don't panic about it like before. My new dentist is so sweet do gentle and kind. Anyways I have e completed plenty of fillings, 3 extractions and a root canal as well as some front tooth restoration. Tomorrow is actually my final filling. Stage 2 is 2 crowns and an implant and then I am good unless I want more lol. I guess my point is, sometimes the hardest part is just getting through that first appt. I can assure you I hate the stuff in my mouth as well but my debrist has said I'm one of the toughest and easiest to work on patients she's ever seen sp that is nice. Basically I lay stone still with my mouth open and take a mental vacation because I was/am so scared. Anyways, now that I'm almost done I can say none of it was as bad as I expected and I am so happy with the results. Good luck shane

 

[shamed shane]

Hey shaNE I was in your shoes not to long ago. 10 year hiatus minus one visit at the 4 or 5 hear mark for pain relief where I never went back to address issues. In the last few years I had a broken tooth or two and plenty of cavaties etc. Not sure what changed back before Xmas but I was tired of obsessing, staying up and fearing the worst. One thing I learned from here is you'll never leave the dentist worse off. For me, the fear of the un known was the worst. I assumed mine would be so bad I'd need dentures etc. Anyways I made my consult before Xmas and started work in January. Not only am I almost done I don't fear the dentist as much as I did. I mean I don't love it but I don't panic about it like before. My new dentist is so sweet do gentle and kind. Anyways I have e completed plenty of fillings, 3 extractions and a root canal as well as some front tooth restoration. Tomorrow is actually my final filling. Stage 2 is 2 crowns and an implant and then I am good unless I want more lol. I guess my point is, sometimes the hardest part is just getting through that first appt. I can assure you I hate the stuff in my mouth as well but my debrist has said I'm one of the toughest and easiest to work on patients she's ever seen sp that is nice. Basically I lay stone still with my mouth open and take a mental vacation because I was/am so scared. Anyways, now that I'm almost done I can say none of it was as bad as I expected and I am so happy with the results. Good luck shane

Thanks so much for your motivation Courtenay. I'm going to try and get through the next few days without obsessing too much. I'm just ready to get there and figure this all out. I'm so tired of feeling bad, ashamed and uncomfortable.

Congrats on your journey, by the way! I'm so glad for you. I feel like I will be a similar patient. I'll just focus on a distant image and get through the process. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Courtenay]

Honestly, if someone shames you or makes you feel bad about it then leave. You are a person and having issues with your teeth doesn't define you nor make you a bad person . No one in that office has any idea what you have faced to lead you where you are. Whether it was fear or finances or in my case finances that led to a fear. Actually I am sure.the reason j never went back 5 years ago is because that hygienist and dentist both made some underhanded comments that didn't help or make me want to come back. The hygeniest back then actually treated me like a child when giving me "tips " to clean better. Like I've always brushed and flossed bur unfortunately I grew up poor and in my early 20s I continued to be poor and didn't have insurance so I couldn't afford to address things as they happened even if I wanted to back then. My point is, you are a paying customer and they "should" be professional. They should help you reach and support your goal of a healthy smile and shame and judgement does not encourage that.

 

[malt]

you will feel so much better after you go the dentist and they tell you what needs to be done. After it has been removed you will feel 100 times better and a weight if your shoulders. I promise its worth going, i understand its so hard to do though..i have a hge fear and cry anytime i have to go even for only a cleaning...i go tonight for a cracked wisdom tooth( which i want to have pulled but not tonight) and a cracked molar and am o scared they wont be able to save it, which i want to do.

 

[shamed shane]

Thanks for the words of encouragement. My appointment is Tuesday and it can't come soon enough. I need a peace of mind and a plan so I can move forward. Good luck with your dental work!

 

[shamed shane]

I've spent all day obsessing over my month and worrying about if my infection is cancerous. I've been a mess all day and haven't slept much in days.

 

[law69]

Hi I have gad and dental phobia
For a few years on and off I had awful bottom right wisdom tooth ache and chronic ear ache
I had depression a few years back and neglected my teeth as in hardly brushing cut a couple years
This Christmas just gone was ruined by my tooth ear. ache I thought I had cancer tbh as the pain was so bad I thought I had a super bad infection - cancer !
I only go to dentists when I get horrific tooth ache you know the crippling one so I hadn't had a proper dental appointment in 15 years

I hunted dentists I'm in the uk on an island that has not many NHS ones that's paid for by uk if your not English but NHS rip your teeth out usually as I had 3 wisdom teeth removed I don't feel now they werent rotten

I found a dentist practice with a dentist that specialises in dental phobias so I went last month I nearly threw up walking there cried on the way panicked and I don't know how I got in that door
She was fantastic examined me I had mouth sores as medication which I thought was infections

She said I clench my teeth at night as that's the pain !! So those removed past ones would of not been decayed but they're gone so I can't do much
I needed a deep clean and an old filling redone I was shocked still am

I had asked my husband for £5-£10,000 as I was convinced my bottom front teeth were badly decayed and I'd need Dentures the decay was tartar but I was so scared it was worse.

I went today had them deep cleaned under IV sedation and filling done
Was it bad no
Was I am mess yes

I know you may need treatment more than me but I am a phobic of all dentists but I realised if I didn't go of if ended up with no teeth

Thinking of you - you can do this. Big hugs xx

 

[shamed shane]

Hi I have gad and dental phobia
For a few years on and off I had awful bottom right wisdom tooth ache and chronic ear ache
I had depression a few years back and neglected my teeth as in hardly brushing cut a couple years
This Christmas just gone was ruined by my tooth ear. ache I thought I had cancer tbh as the pain was so bad I thought I had a super bad infection - cancer !
I only go to dentists when I get horrific tooth ache you know the crippling one so I hadn't had a proper dental appointment in 15 years

I hunted dentists I'm in the uk on an island that has not many NHS ones that's paid for by uk if your not English but NHS rip your teeth out usually as I had 3 wisdom teeth removed I don't feel now they werent rotten

I found a dentist practice with a dentist that specialises in dental phobias so I went last month I nearly threw up walking there cried on the way panicked and I don't know how I got in that door
She was fantastic examined me I had mouth sores as medication which I thought was infections

She said I clench my teeth at night as that's the pain !! So those removed past ones would of not been decayed but they're gone so I can't do much
I needed a deep clean and an old filling redone I was shocked still am

I had asked my husband for £5-£10,000 as I was convinced my bottom front teeth were badly decayed and I'd need Dentures the decay was tartar but I was so scared it was worse.

I went today had them deep cleaned under IV sedation and filling done
Was it bad no
Was I am mess yes

I know you may need treatment more than me but I am a phobic of all dentists but I realised if I didn't go of if ended up with no teeth

Thinking of you - you can do this. Big hugs xx

Thanks for your words of encouragement and for sharing your story.

I have an appointment Tuesday and I'm just trying to make it that long. I've been such a nervous wreck.

 

[Jumper34]

How did it go Shane?

 

[shamed shane]

How did it go Shane?

It went well. I was able to talk to hygienist before she started. We had a good conversation in the beginning that led to a comforting experience throughout. She complimented me on things like my gum care and other things throughout. She never scolded me, which was nice. The dentist was also very understanding. At the end of the appointment I was told I needed one extraction, which I knew. And then I need my wisdom teeth extracted. But that's it. After all that is done he wants to discuss some cosmetic options and also address past fillings.

The only nerve wracking part of the experience was that they are sending me to a specialist about a suspect patch they found. I'm not a smoker or a heavy drinker, so they think it just may be a small infection but want me to get it looked at. They did prescribe me with an antibiotic in the meantime.

I owe so much of the experience to everyone I've interacted with and posts I've read on this forum. All of this provided me with the right mindset going into the appointment. I thank you all.

Thanks for checking in. How are things on your end?

 

[Jumper34]

It went well. I was able to talk to hygienist before she started. We had a good conversation in the beginning that led to a comforting experience throughout. She complimented me on things like my gum care and other things throughout. She never scolded me, which was nice. The dentist was also very understanding. At the end of the appointment I was told I needed one extraction, which I knew. And then I need my wisdom teeth extracted. But that's it. After all that is done he wants to discuss some cosmetic options and also address past fillings.

The only nerve wracking part of the experience was that they are sending me to a specialist about a suspect patch they found. I'm not a smoker or a heavy drinker, so they think it just may be a small infection but want me to get it looked at. They did prescribe me with an antibiotic in the meantime.

I owe so much of the experience to everyone I've interacted with and posts I've read on this forum. All of this provided me with the right mindset going into the appointment. I thank you all.

Thanks for checking in. How are things on your end?

I go Thursday for the first step in my treatment plan... Two crowns on my front two teeth. I'm super nervous but also excited at the same time.
I'm glad things worked out for you and I hope that they continue to work out for you!

 

[Courtenay]

How did it go?

 

[shamed shane]

I go Thursday for the first step in my treatment plan... Two crowns on my front two teeth. I'm super nervous but also excited at the same time.
I'm glad things worked out for you and I hope that they continue to work out for you!

I'll keep you in my mind tomorrow as you go for your appointment. Will look on the forum for an update!

 

[shamed shane]

How did it go?

Overall very well. I published a longer response earlier. What I'm more concerned now is the white patch they found and want to get checked out. I'm trying not to think much about it and definitely trying to stay off google.

 

[Jumper34]

I'll keep you in my mind tomorrow as you go for your appointment. Will look on the forum for an update!

Thanks! I posted a new thread about it.