Today first visit to dentist in 20 years !!!

[Aly1977]

Hi all, hope everyone is well and the new year has inspired those whom are scared to make this a new beginning and take a leap into the dentist room, I am due back to my dentist on the 11th Jan for my final part of treatment, on my last visit I had a filling done and also another extraction of a wisdom tooth, it was really at the gum line but was a little sod to remove but my fabolous dentist did it ?? So in the grand scheme of previous appointments that one was easy peasy, I had an afternoon of rest as my friend picked my son up from school and the following day I was able to go and do some xmas shopping (I struggle with LA so this was a huge deal that I felt well enough~ I did sleep very well the previous night though falling asleep after appointment at 4pm lol!) next (on the 11th Jan!) is my bottom plate, she popped a wax version of it in on the last appointment and I can't say I liked the feeling at all BUT she did say the wax feels very different to the one I'll receive so here's hoping! The great thing is that you can't see my lost (extracted) teeth when I speak as they are at the sides and back so I only really need to wear the plate for eating and if I'm out of the house, i am now so looking forward to my holiday to Australia instead of being so nervous.... nows to loose some weight (I'm a big lady!) and then life will blossom more! Sending lots of positive vibes and strength to you all for 2018 and your dental journeys x
Aly x

 

[makeachange]

I've just read through this thread and I can't believe other people feel the same way that I do. I am absolutely petrified of going to the dentist (abuse situation when I was younger and a couple of judgemental dentists since). To me visits to the dentist are always connected to fear, pain and humiliation.

About 18 months ago my back molar broke, leaving a jagged edge that scraped my cheek very painfully. I visited a really uncaring NHS dentist who was supposed to be good with nervous patients- what a joke!!! He chastised me for not looking after my teeth better and fixed a date for extraction in two weeks time, however the pain from the sharp edge of the tooth was not addressed at all. I cancelled the extraction appt and found a private dentist, with a spa like environment. The receptionist could not have been kinder and asked one of the dentists to file the tooth there and then. She then arranged for me to have an appt with a different dentist there to discuss my broken tooth.

During this appt I had xrays and was told that my tooth could not be saved and also that my two front lower teeth would need to be extracted due to severe bone loss. I could have immediate replacements before a long term bridge once the gums had healed. I knew the teeth were loose but had been too scared to do anything about it. Everything else was ok though. The dentist was very matter of fact and I didn't feel any rapport with him, again I felt a bit judged to be honest.

Of course I bottled any further treatment. Fast forward to now and my front teeth are really loose, I know I need the treatment urgently. I'm totally petrified though and I don't know what to do. I think I want to use the dental practise I went to last, but I definitely don't want the same dentist. I think I would have to be sedated for any work which they offer. I'm scared about having the plate, I'm scared about pain, I feel humiliated and angry with myself, I don't know how to take the first step.... I've even thought that if a car hit me when crossing the road it would be a relief that I wouldn't have to sort my teeth out!! (I'm not suicidal at all, but it shows the extent of my fear).

You all seem so lovely on this thread- please please can you help me? I can't go on like this, I hate opening my mouth, I hate eating, I live in constant fear that my tooth is going to fall out at any moment....but I just can't sort myself out. How did you get yourself to the dentist and make the change? Sorry for such a long post but I feel absolutely desparate.

 

[Superscared32]

I've just read through this thread and I can't believe other people feel the same way that I do. I am absolutely petrified of going to the dentist (abuse situation when I was younger and a couple of judgemental dentists since). To me visits to the dentist are always connected to fear, pain and humiliation.

About 18 months ago my back molar broke, leaving a jagged edge that scraped my cheek very painfully. I visited a really uncaring NHS dentist who was supposed to be good with nervous patients- what a joke!!! He chastised me for not looking after my teeth better and fixed a date for extraction in two weeks time, however the pain from the sharp edge of the tooth was not addressed at all. I cancelled the extraction appt and found a private dentist, with a spa like environment. The receptionist could not have been kinder and asked one of the dentists to file the tooth there and then. She then arranged for me to have an appt with a different dentist there to discuss my broken tooth.

During this appt I had xrays and was told that my tooth could not be saved and also that my two front lower teeth would need to be extracted due to severe bone loss. I could have immediate replacements before a long term bridge once the gums had healed. I knew the teeth were loose but had been too scared to do anything about it. Everything else was ok though. The dentist was very matter of fact and I didn't feel any rapport with him, again I felt a bit judged to be honest.

Of course I bottled any further treatment. Fast forward to now and my front teeth are really loose, I know I need the treatment urgently. I'm totally petrified though and I don't know what to do. I think I want to use the dental practise I went to last, but I definitely don't want the same dentist. I think I would have to be sedated for any work which they offer. I'm scared about having the plate, I'm scared about pain, I feel humiliated and angry with myself, I don't know how to take the first step.... I've even thought that if a car hit me when crossing the road it would be a relief that I wouldn't have to sort my teeth out!! (I'm not suicidal at all, but it shows the extent of my fear).

You all seem so lovely on this thread- please please can you help me? I can't go on like this, I hate opening my mouth, I hate eating, I live in constant fear that my tooth is going to fall out at any moment....but I just can't sort myself out. How did you get yourself to the dentist and make the change? Sorry for such a long post but I feel absolutely desparate.

Hi ☺ I am very scared of the dentist too and the only way I will get any type of treatment is if I am under sedation. If I was you I would ask about sedation.

 

[carmac34]

Hey. Sorry not been here in a few weeks. Been a bit hectic. So the first step is the hardest. I didn’t go to the dentist until I knew things were really bad, and it was loose top front teeth that made me finally go. I personally didn’t get sedation although it was an option as I wanted to feel in contrib but I know some people couldn’t do it. The best advice for finding a dentist I think is word of mouth, pardon the pun, get reviews from friends and family first then visit the place. If you are not 100% comfortable with it, walk out and find somewhere else. I was so worried about being judged but for me that wasn’t the case and my dentist and all the staff are lovely.

Please ask away any questions and I will try and help. X

 

[Islandersgirl74]

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

I’m 43 as well and went Saturday after 8 years. Terrified is an understatement. I need two root canals, gum treatment, 5 teeth taken out on top with a partial, and full bottom. I’m terrified. Not sure if I’m more upset I let this happen or the fact that I don’t have the money to do all this. Thinking I may ask to do the root canals and gum treatment on top, get the bottom done bit hold off on the top. I wish I could get I.T all done but financially don’t see how that’s possible. I want to get the bottom done over the summer since I’m a teacher and scared I won’t be able to talk.
Helps knowing I’m not the only one

 

[carmac34]

Hey there. Can you maybe set up a monthly payment plan with your dentist to help spread the cost? Well done for taking the step and going to the dentist. U really will feel amazing when all the work is done. X

 

[goldenteeth]

Just wanted to say thank you all to who posted to this thread, and the OP. I've read it through. I have a consult appointment this evening at 5, after having not gone to the dentist (for anything other than an emergency 3-4 years ago) since about 2009. To say I'm terrified is an understatement. I mean, I was crying on the phone (silently so the receptionist couldn't hear) while confirming the appointment just a few short hours ago.
I have two unfinished root canals from when I was 16/17 (I'll be 31 this saturday, happy bday prezzie to me -_-) one on each side of my mouth at the bottom. A severely decayed back tooth on the top right. What is probably a root canal on the bottom right back? A cracked (pre?) molar on the bottom left side, which is what has prompted me to get in there and see someone. Not to mention a whole host of fillings I'm sure. The pain from the last infection I had (from the top right back molar) was so bad... I don't want that happening again... I mean I can see decay in the tooth I'm talking about now, and it's the only side/part of my mouth that I feel comfortable chewing on ...if I lose that...how will I eat? So I have to do this...

I'm just so freaking terrified... My boyfriend is going to come with me to the consult.. which adds another layer of embarrassment..he's so sweet and patient with me and understands..but still...

I guess I'm saying all of this to say.. thank you so much for making this thread, because I'm leaning on it for support... I am SO scared you guys...

All of this phobia, stems from my mom having had a horrid, absolutely terrifying dental experience when she was a child (4 pulled front teeth, no pain meds, no LA, nada this was apparently back in the stone-age??!?!!) that just blossomed into full phobia that she then (through no fault of her own, I mean she was human come on!) ignored for years.. She took us when it was an emergency (hence the two unfinished root canals) but once the immediate pain was gone there was no post-treatment. So I never got taught proper dental hygiene when it comes to seeing professionals, on top of that having had my own really bad experiences when I was younger (having a dentist who was supposed to be a pediatric dentist hold you down in a chair when you're trying to tell them they're hurting you and say repeatedly "This doesn't hurt, you're being dramatic/silly" and then go on to belittle and invalidate your feelings by saying "listen to all of the kids outside, they're not putting up as much of a fight as you are" wtf!?) and just not being pushed to go back.. well it just hasn't made for a good outcome...

I'm just scared guys....and I'm so glad I've found a forum that seems to understand that.. here's to hoping the dentist will as well.

p.s. I'm so sorry for the long post, I hadn't meant for it to turn into a venting thing especially on someone else's post. I'M SO SORRY!