Starting the journey after 8 years of NO dental care

[Strongerme]

I am scared to tears. My niece is a instructor at a dental hygiene college and I have made an appointment for Thursday. I know I will need a deep cleaning and am very afraid of the pain as well as losing my two bottom front teeth as they are wiggly. I had a crying fit when I made the appointment and now that it is in a few days I am barely keeping it together. Running to the bathroom and crying. Having the support of my niece and sister is great but I am still a mess. Any ideas on getting through the next few days would help. I will keep every one updated on how it goes. I just signed up for dental insurance so can get any recommended work done starting Dec. when my coverage starts.

 

[Maisie]

I'm so sorry you are feeling so anxious. Feeling out of control is the worst. My sister once told me something which has stuck with me ever since. YOU are in charge of this appointment. YOU can decide to go or not. YOU can sit in the chair but then get up and leave any time YOU want to. YOU decide.

If you can keep this in your mind you might very well surprise yourself on the day.

 

[Strongerme]

So I went to my appointment yesterday and it wasn't the torture I was anticipating. They didn't shame me for the condition of my teeth and gums. They used a numbing gel before they used the pokey thing to get the readings for my pockets and respected my wishes of not calling the numbers out loud. We had a raise my hand signal but I got through it without needing to use it. We did take breaks while she was writing stuff down. I was shocked that my gums in back where they did the readings did not bleed and I didn't have any puss. However, the dental hygienist college was not prepared for the possibility of my lower front teeth needing to come out when they do the deep cleaning so they aren't going to be able to treat me and have referred me to a specialist. My dental insurance takes effect on December 1st so I will wait until then to make my next appointment. I am SO proud of myself for going. Even though I cried and screamed while driving there I DID get through it. The fact it was less traumatic then I thought it would be can give me courage for the next step. I am blessed my niece is a dental hygiene instructor and can help me to understand what procedures I will need and what the co-payments will be so I can budget and be able to afford the work I will need done. BAD NEWS - she said I will probably lose 4 bottom front teeth

 

[Strongerme]

So the next day I was told I wasn't a "good teaching example" and the work could not be done at the college due to the liability of extensive work most likely needed. Next step my dental insurance will be effective on December 1st so today I made a call to the dentist I have selected and got the voice mail message. I left my information and contact number so they can call me back and I can make my first appointment. I am SO scared but going to walk through this journey to better oral health (even if it means I lose some teeth in that process).