So scared, depressed, etc.

[Curvynerd]

It's almost Christmas and I sit here crying because another tooth broke today. I wasn't even doing anything. I was talking on the phone.

Over the years I've paid extensive amounts of money for fillings and other tooth therapies figuring I was fighting a losing battle because both of my parents had dentures by the age of 20 and my teeth have always been soft as chalk.

I wrote an oral surgeon an email today. He actually told me to come in and make an appointment and to tell them it was free to get x-rays etc.

This is very kind. I know he usually charges about $300 for this. I have been to him twice before. He remove three teeth on the bottom the first time and for tooth on the bottom back the second time.

Both times I've been sedated. I've healed well and he is amazingly sweet even though I have major panic attacks.

But I'm so scared and depressed right now. At 6:30 and I still haven't tried to eat because I'm afraid the rest of my tooth will break. I'm also afraid that it will cause infection and I will horribly ill because I'm allergic to the first line treatment such as penicillin, clindamycin, flagyl etc.

I can't remember the last time I smile. My teeth are constant embarrassment.

October 2015 my mother was diagnosed with cancer. I guess I just did too much for too many people without helping myself and I finally broke down. I ended up with housebound agoraphobia.

I don't know how I let myself fall that far. I feel ashamed. I am doing exposure therapy and getting out some.

But, I'm scared to death to go to the oral surgeon. I know he is nice. But, I didn't have agoraphobia before and had horrible panic attacks. Now I have both. I don't really know what to do. I'm scared to do anything except drink Gatorade.

I'm in my 30s and can't remember the last time I could chew a piece of meat.

I just don't need the stress right at Christmas because last year at Christmas is when I was breaking down and I ended up with housebound agoraphobia.

Any advice would be great. I know he will evaluate what teeth that can't be saved but honestly I keep putting so much money in these and I just don't have the money for them to keep breaking it and he ends up having to cut them out anyway.

 

[Peaceandhope]

I wanted to write you so you knew people were listening. It seems like all this dental work is a big cycle sometimes. All we can do is our best though. I know it gets frustrating. I am glad you have found at least one dentist who is supportive and caring. Makes all the difference in the world. How appreciative I am of the dentist I now have also. I never knew there were tons of us dealing with these problems before this site. So you know there are people in your corner ! Let us know how you get along. Take good care.