K
Kadota
Junior member
- Joined
- Feb 6, 2023
- Messages
- 10
- Location
- Virginia
I’m 29, and it’s been about 12 years since I’ve been to the dentist. I’ve always had some issues with my teeth, but around the time I was 17 I went to college and during my four years there battled severe depression. I ceased taking care of myself, went hard on soda, sugary stuff, basically everything a dentist would ever tell you to avoid, all the while doing next to nothing to care for my teeth.
After college, I slowly got myself together and came out of the depression over the course of a couple more years, but by this point the damage was done.
Long story short, all four of my wisdom teeth are cracked and decayed, two of my molars as well, and other teeth have varying issues. I was living very paycheck to paycheck for years and never had the money to get anything done, even if I could overcome the heart- pounding, tear-filled anxiety that comes when I even think the word dentist.
Today, I may not be in a great financial position, but I am about to head to my first appointment in years, thanks in large part to the caring push my wife has given me. I am working to overcome the shame and anger I have with myself over my current dental state, but the anxiety and constant worry over my teeth has cost me so much more that the price tag will be to fix it over the past decade.
Ironically, I will be going to the same dentist I went to as a kid with dental issues. Part of me has a crippling fear of judgement, like I’m disappointing my parents who payed for my care as a kid, and the dentist who worked hard on everything. It’s something that has kept me away from the dentist for so long. Today, we overcome it.
I don’t know how often I’ll post about this to be honest. Mostly, this is to relieve me of the tension of hiding this secret (as of now, my wife is the only person who knows my current dental state). My hope is I can get whatever care is needed within a reasonable budget. I’m prepared to go in there and have him tell me every tooth has to come out. I fear the shame, but I need to do this, whatever the outcome.
This got rambley. Blame it on the nerves probably 😂
After college, I slowly got myself together and came out of the depression over the course of a couple more years, but by this point the damage was done.
Long story short, all four of my wisdom teeth are cracked and decayed, two of my molars as well, and other teeth have varying issues. I was living very paycheck to paycheck for years and never had the money to get anything done, even if I could overcome the heart- pounding, tear-filled anxiety that comes when I even think the word dentist.
Today, I may not be in a great financial position, but I am about to head to my first appointment in years, thanks in large part to the caring push my wife has given me. I am working to overcome the shame and anger I have with myself over my current dental state, but the anxiety and constant worry over my teeth has cost me so much more that the price tag will be to fix it over the past decade.
Ironically, I will be going to the same dentist I went to as a kid with dental issues. Part of me has a crippling fear of judgement, like I’m disappointing my parents who payed for my care as a kid, and the dentist who worked hard on everything. It’s something that has kept me away from the dentist for so long. Today, we overcome it.
I don’t know how often I’ll post about this to be honest. Mostly, this is to relieve me of the tension of hiding this secret (as of now, my wife is the only person who knows my current dental state). My hope is I can get whatever care is needed within a reasonable budget. I’m prepared to go in there and have him tell me every tooth has to come out. I fear the shame, but I need to do this, whatever the outcome.
This got rambley. Blame it on the nerves probably 😂