Today first visit to dentist in 20 years !!!

[carmac34]

Wow that’s amazing. Well done you. Yeh impressions are weird. So on to extractions. Mine went fine as I said before. It was a bit scary at first but no pain just a bit of pulling and shoving feeling. The worst part for me was the noise. It sounds awful but not a jot of pain so hang in there with it. And remember to breathe lol. I kept holding my breath lol. It’s an amazing feeling when u have the confidence to talk to people and smile I’m still getting used to it, especially at work. For so many years I hid my mouth and now I don’t have to. A wee update on me, I’m doing great. Eating normally pretty much and I forget that I can bite a sandwich or a biscuit with no pain lol. I know that sounds daft, but I changed my eating habits so much over the last few years staying away from things I had to chew or bite it’s hard to remember that now I don’t have to. I have no pain or sore spots any more and I’m getting along just fine. My plate at top is loose now so I have to use a fix every day but now it’s just part of my routine. Makes me feel more confident too when I’m eating. Will have these till March when I go back to get new impressions made after everything has healed and settled down. I am still super amazed when I see me in the mirror or on a photo, the difference is amazing. Keep going and keep us updated x

 

[geralds]

Well I am 43 and today I finally made it to the dentist after 20 years and a lot of pain. And it was ok. My dentist didn't judge me and went through everything with me. And by the end of the year I will have a smile!!!
Over the years I have taken broken teeth out myself, been in complete agony with abscesses and even in the last year or so I couldn't even chew or bite anything. Basically my mouth is a complete catastrophe. I have been in some real low points recently because of the state of my teeth.
Next week I get impressions taken then 2 weeks later have what remains of my top teeth taken out and an immediate denture put in. I'm as scared as hell but I'm determined to get my life back. Thank you for reading x

Thanks for your post I'm aged seventy and in your position but I have not approached the dentist yet through fear, would you advise when/if I do to go private or nhs?

 

[carmac34]

The first step is the hardest. It’s emotional and nerve jangling but u can do it. My dentist is half in half. Some stuff can get done on nhs and others private in the same practice. That’s how I did it. In a few short months I am on the other side. Don’t get me wrong, was bloody hard, really hard but please take courage from me and make the first step. Even if u just sit in the waiting room. One wee bit at a time. Let me know x

 

[Aly1977]

Totally understand that, the noise for me was quiet loud but to be honest when she was filling the front tooth I had no pain at all and was even tapping away to the music which I never thought I'd do, any advice Hun on what to expect after tomorrow like bleeding to be expected etc? I struggled with the LA for 2 days after felt so sleepy and my headache was awful but I'm always like that with ?

I am going it alone tomorrow also and have a long hours bus ride home also which worries me if I will be bleeding and feeling crappy, I'm quiet worried for that part.

 

[Aly1977]

Thanks for your post I'm aged seventy and in your position but I have not approached the dentist yet through fear, would you advise when/if I do to go private or nhs?

Hi there, I would say that on the initial visit it will be to be looked at to see what course the dentist wants to take, I would say go to Nhs and then see how you feel ask them their view point on the work you need, personally I was happy to pay private but as I am a carer for my son they told me I can get it done on the Nhs which was amazing and I have formed a real bond with my dentist which has helped me no end, the confidence I feel already is wonderful I really say just do it bite the bloody bullet and go for it it's not something you will regret but you will regret not going x

Keep us posted lovely x

 

[SolitudeIsBliss]

Hi Carmac,

Someone suggested I check out your thread, as they found it helpful and inspiring.

Props to you (and the others) who have made an appointment and started on the path to a beautiful smile. Knowing first hand how debilitating having bad teeth is, I'm so happy for you all!

I'm trying to build up the courage to make take the big step and make an appointment with a dentist. I'm so scared though. It seems like an impossible obstacle to overcome.

 

[Aly1977]

Hey new poster, that was me I believe that pointed you in this threads direction ?

 

[carmac34]

Hey guys. I am so so happy my experiences and threads are helping. It really is amazing. Guys, a few months ago I had what I described as a catastrophe for a mouth and it really was effecting me every day, emotionally and physically.. by far the hardest part of my journey was that first step to the dentist to make an appointment. I had almost done it about 20 times then chickened out right at the last minute. It was bloody hard doing it but that was the worst. I knew I was doing the right thing. Now I am just waiting for everything to settle before I go back in March. I am checking in here every day or so, so please please take courage from me and get it done. I am here along for the ride so if I can help just say. I will be brutally honest about all the treatment I had coz I think sugar coating it is wrong. U will never believe how happy I am if I can help others make that step. Luv to u all and even if it takes months it will be worth it, I can promise that as I am on the other side feeling fab x

 

[BrittanyMurphyJr]

I read your story from beginning to latest post and I'm not even lying, I cried. I have struggled with bad teeth all my life (I'm 26) and it takes a huge toll on me emotionally and mentally and of course physically so I completely relate to your anxieties, insecurities, etc. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journey because you have inspired me in a way I don't think most people would be capable of. Bless you!!!!

 

[Speedbump]

Wow you took a huge step in going! That in itself is something to add to your "this is how strong I am and I love myself" list (and I mean that in a good way).

Glad it went well for you and you'll be feeling much more confident in no time!

I just had 30 teeth removed and immediates put in. I'm already rapidly increasing in confidence and it was nowhere near as horrid as my brain imagined.

 

[carmac34]

I read your story from beginning to latest post and I'm not even lying, I cried. I have struggled with bad teeth all my life (I'm 26) and it takes a huge toll on me emotionally and mentally and of course physically so I completely relate to your anxieties, insecurities, etc. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your journey because you have inspired me in a way I don't think most people would be capable of. Bless you!!!!

Aw thank you for reading. Please don’t wait till your as old as me to go to dentist. U will loose so much of your life and it can be fixed. Yes I know exactly how u feel everyday and the strain and knock in confidence u are experiencing. The reason I shared my journey was to help others and be brutally honest about my experience. And here I am today, able to smile and laugh without fear. I can’t wait for getting my photo with family at Christmas. If I can help in any way just let me know. Take the first step x

 

[carmac34]

I massive thank you for reading my story and I hope it helps along the way. You guys are amazing and I so love knowing that people are out there doing the same as me and feeling all things I feel. A big step is the hardest but we are doing it and we are smiling x

 

[Enarete]

Dear carmac34,

I just have read your story for the first time (in the last weeks I wasn't in the state to read anything above certain level of details) and would like to say: wow! You are amazing and thank you so much for sharing this. It's sooo helpful to know you went through all of this and it all worked and it gives me a lot of courage.

There are some things I would love to ask you about your appointments - it's more about the emotional and organisational part of the visits than about the treatment and about how your dentist reacts when you are having discomfort. Knowing this would help me a lot. So:

Do you have a stop signal with your dentist and do you ever used it?
Did you ever interrupted a treatment because you coudln't go on for that day?
Do you feel like being in charge - would your dentist accept it if you wasn't ready for something particular on that day?

You said that you also cried sometime in the practice and shaked - how did your dentist react to that? Did you ever cried during a treatment or shortly before? And did the dentist give you a break?

And did you ever communicate with your dentist via email or did you always talk about the things that worry you personally during the visit?

It would be so valuable for me to know about this points.

Thanks again for sharing this and being so active here, supporting the other souls who are going through this

 

[carmac34]

Dear carmac34,

I just have read your story for the first time (in the last weeks I wasn't in the state to read anything above certain level of details) and would like to say: wow! You are amazing and thank you so much for sharing this. It's sooo helpful to know you went through all of this and it all worked and it gives me a lot of courage.

There are some things I would love to ask you about your appointments - it's more about the emotional and organisational part of the visits than about the treatment and about how your dentist reacts when you are having discomfort. Knowing this would help me a lot. So:

Do you have a stop signal with your dentist and do you ever used it?
Did you ever interrupted a treatment because you coudln't go on for that day?
Do you feel like being in charge - would your dentist accept it if you wasn't ready for something particular on that day?

You said that you also cried sometime in the practice and shaked - how did your dentist react to that? Did you ever cried during a treatment or shortly before? And did the dentist give you a break?

And did you ever communicate with your dentist via email or did you always talk about the things that worry you personally during the visit?

It would be so valuable for me to know about this points.

Thanks again for sharing this and being so active here, supporting the other souls who are going through this

hey there. Thanks for reading my story. Let me answer your things as best I can. Yes I had a pre arranged stop signal with my dentist, we discussed it before my treatment started was ha time. If I wanted her to stop I just raised my arm and she stopped immediately. I had to do this a few times when getting the extractions, not for pain, but more for anxiety so I could take a deep breath, sit up and compose myself. Worked great and gave me more confidence. I didnt stop a treatment and not go thru with it on the day however my dentist always made sure I was ok to carry on and it was ok. I opted for jags on every appointment instead of sedation as I wanted to be in charge so I know what u mean. And yes, if I had decided not to go ahead with something it was always my call. The best advice is at first appointment raise your concerns and what you would like to be in control of right from the start. My dentist is great, listened to me and we made up a treatment plan together. She was caring and the biggest thing I was grateful for was she was not judgemental of anything. That was a massive thing for me. On my initial appointment I cried, I don’t know why a build up of fear and worry and stress probably but my dentist and assistant were amazing, talked to me and reassured me and gave me the time to compose myself. Even a little thing like the dentist making my next appointment in the room with me so I didn’t have to face the receptionist and all the other people waiting was a massive thing too. I did not insult by email and was all done face to face and I feel that was better for me. I was given the option to just sit in the waiting room or in the dentist chair with nothing getting done too to help me at the start of my journey. I hope that has helped and you can get courage from me and what has happened. If I can help in any way let me know x

 

[carmac34]

So another update on my adventures. This might not sound much to most people but to me it’s huge as I have not been able to do it for years. This morning I ate and CHEWED a bowl of cereal ! And it was lovely. For years I have only been able to have soggy weetabix or porridge coz couldn’t chew or have anything cold in my mouth and these were easy to just stick in and swallow. So to chew cereal is massive for me. Every day I am trying something new and I’m amazed at how easy it is. My plan is to work my way up to munching on corn on cob lol

 

[Thephilsblogbar]

So another update on my adventures. This might not sound much to most people but to me it’s huge as I have not been able to do it for years. This morning I ate and CHEWED a bowl of cereal ! And it was lovely. For years I have only been able to have soggy weetabix or porridge coz couldn’t chew or have anything cold in my mouth and these were easy to just stick in and swallow. So to chew cereal is massive for me. Every day I am trying something new and I’m amazed at how easy it is. My plan is to work my way up to munching on corn on cob lol

Nice I bet your enjoyed that, even though I go to dentist reguarly I wish I could be daring, I go for stuff which I know will not break my teeth, I really hate my teeth and going to the dentist, I dont want dentures, I am also scared what I eat incase it breaks my fillings and harms my root canal.

 

[Enarete]

Thank you very much for your answers, they are very helpful and now I can move forward a bit more.

Huge congrats on your new life experience with cereals! Wow.. it sounds like you are discovering a new life, so enjoy every second of it and don't stop being proud of yourself

hey there. Thanks for reading my story. Let me answer your things as best I can. Yes I had a pre arranged stop signal with my dentist, we discussed it before my treatment started was ha time. If I wanted her to stop I just raised my arm and she stopped immediately. I had to do this a few times when getting the extractions, not for pain, but more for anxiety so I could take a deep breath, sit up and compose myself. Worked great and gave me more confidence. I didnt stop a treatment and not go thru with it on the day however my dentist always made sure I was ok to carry on and it was ok. I opted for jags on every appointment instead of sedation as I wanted to be in charge so I know what u mean. And yes, if I had decided not to go ahead with something it was always my call. The best advice is at first appointment raise your concerns and what you would like to be in control of right from the start. My dentist is great, listened to me and we made up a treatment plan together. She was caring and the biggest thing I was grateful for was she was not judgemental of anything. That was a massive thing for me. On my initial appointment I cried, I don’t know why a build up of fear and worry and stress probably but my dentist and assistant were amazing, talked to me and reassured me and gave me the time to compose myself. Even a little thing like the dentist making my next appointment in the room with me so I didn’t have to face the receptionist and all the other people waiting was a massive thing too. I did not insult by email and was all done face to face and I feel that was better for me. I was given the option to just sit in the waiting room or in the dentist chair with nothing getting done too to help me at the start of my journey. I hope that has helped and you can get courage from me and what has happened. If I can help in any way let me know x

 

[carmac34]

Thank you. Yip cereal was amazing I had forgot how nice plain old cornflakes were lol. I am glad I have helped you move forward a bit. Please take the leap. I know it’s scary but you can do it x

 

[Mik1977]

Hi,I'm Michael. I'm 40. I have never been a lover of the dentist. As a child I was sexually abused. Over the last 5 years I have become a survivor and not a victim. My question is.. I have suffered terribly with flashbacks and nightmares. I grind my teeth a lot while asleep. My top 6 teeth between my front teeth and my wisdom teeth are completely gone to the root. I'm so scared of the dentist. I hate needles. I'm really concerned I will end up having a row of front teeth like a row of condemned buildings. Does anyone know if the NHS will provide this service? I can't afford the cost privately. Thanks,Michael

 

[carmac34]

Hi,I'm Michael. I'm 40. I have never been a lover of the dentist. As a child I was sexually abused. Over the last 5 years I have become a survivor and not a victim. My question is.. I have suffered terribly with flashbacks and nightmares. I grind my teeth a lot while asleep. My top 6 teeth between my front teeth and my wisdom teeth are completely gone to the root. I'm so scared of the dentist. I hate needles. I'm really concerned I will end up having a row of front teeth like a row of condemned buildings. Does anyone know if the NHS will provide this service? I can't afford the cost privately. Thanks,Michael

Hi Michael

the nhs will provide the treatment for you. I think that you should try and go to the dentist. Even if u just make the first appointment and they don’t do anything. That’s how I done it. It’s confidential and supportive these days and not like it used to be when we were younger. You can discuss your care plan with the dentist and take things at your own pace. With jags you can get numbing gel first and it’s not so bad. Over the last few months I’ve had in excess of 30 odd jags so it is ok. The nhs is there to care and that includes dentist. It really is ok. Please take that first step and try and go. I hadn’t been since my early 20’s and believe me my mouth was awful but I am so happy I took the plunge and started my treatment and today I can smile and eat with no issues. It has really changed my life. If I can answer anything for you I will try and help encourage you along the way but u need to do this for yourself and you will not regret it. X