TerrifiedWoman
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 13, 2010
- Messages
- 841
- Location
- Iowa, USA
Well, I just found this message board last night, and it has already helped me to know I'm far from alone with my awful teeth and terror of the dentist.
My problems began when I was maybe 6 years old. I had a really, really horrible experience at a dentists office and right then made up my mind I wasn't going back..ever! My parents had dentures and never went to the dentist..so for some reason they never made me go again either. During my school years I was always ashamed of my crooked teeth. Never dated until a wonderful guy came along my senior year. (We'll be married 37 yrs this July!)
My hubby goes to the dentist. But not me, I still refused, even though my teeth are HORRIBLY crooked and mostly decayed and broken. Most all of my back upper teeth are broken at the gum line. The lower teeth are there, but full of decay and some are loose.
Yesterday (May 12, 2010) I ran into a closed glass patio door (stupid..but true!) and knocked one of my upper front teeth out. Thought I was going to bleed to death..but it didn't even hurt. Today the gum is all swollen and my nose is sore from hitting the glass.
Made up my mind my fear was no longer going to rule me, and this morning I called my husband's dentist and got an appointment for 10am Friday, May 14th..tomorrow. Wasn't expecting them to say TOMORROW..but guess that saves me worrying about it for a week or more. I am absolutely TERRIFIED to go. I'm embarrassed by my awful, rotten teeth and the LAST thing I want to do is open my mouth for anyone..especially a dentist.
I try to stay optimistic by telling myself that this is the first step toward a smile I can actually show people. Most of my life I have laughed behind my hand and only smiled with my mouth shut. It's been decades since I allowed anyone to take my picture actually smiling like a normal person!
I've had a few cries today and haven't told anyone but my husband and my best friend about the appointment. They are both supportive.
Took a couple of close up pictures of my teeth today, but am still too ashamed to share them. Maybe further along my journey I will be able to.
I wish I could go tomorrow and have them say they can pull all my teeth and have me wearing some beautiful dentures next week....but I suppose you can't UN-do in a few days what it took me 50 years to wreck.
Anyway..I'll be going to my first appointment tomorrow morning..so wish me luck. Most of all send brave thoughts. I'll need them!
My problems began when I was maybe 6 years old. I had a really, really horrible experience at a dentists office and right then made up my mind I wasn't going back..ever! My parents had dentures and never went to the dentist..so for some reason they never made me go again either. During my school years I was always ashamed of my crooked teeth. Never dated until a wonderful guy came along my senior year. (We'll be married 37 yrs this July!)
My hubby goes to the dentist. But not me, I still refused, even though my teeth are HORRIBLY crooked and mostly decayed and broken. Most all of my back upper teeth are broken at the gum line. The lower teeth are there, but full of decay and some are loose.
Yesterday (May 12, 2010) I ran into a closed glass patio door (stupid..but true!) and knocked one of my upper front teeth out. Thought I was going to bleed to death..but it didn't even hurt. Today the gum is all swollen and my nose is sore from hitting the glass.
Made up my mind my fear was no longer going to rule me, and this morning I called my husband's dentist and got an appointment for 10am Friday, May 14th..tomorrow. Wasn't expecting them to say TOMORROW..but guess that saves me worrying about it for a week or more. I am absolutely TERRIFIED to go. I'm embarrassed by my awful, rotten teeth and the LAST thing I want to do is open my mouth for anyone..especially a dentist.
I try to stay optimistic by telling myself that this is the first step toward a smile I can actually show people. Most of my life I have laughed behind my hand and only smiled with my mouth shut. It's been decades since I allowed anyone to take my picture actually smiling like a normal person!
I've had a few cries today and haven't told anyone but my husband and my best friend about the appointment. They are both supportive.
Took a couple of close up pictures of my teeth today, but am still too ashamed to share them. Maybe further along my journey I will be able to.
I wish I could go tomorrow and have them say they can pull all my teeth and have me wearing some beautiful dentures next week....but I suppose you can't UN-do in a few days what it took me 50 years to wreck.
Anyway..I'll be going to my first appointment tomorrow morning..so wish me luck. Most of all send brave thoughts. I'll need them!
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