Worried about teeth

LegacyUser

I may be jumping the gun here but I am ashamed to say I have really neglected my teeth over the last XX years. I am so ashamed I can't even type how long its being since I was at the dentist. I have my first appointment tommorrow and I am worried sick that I will have to get teeth extracted. My front bottom teeth are covered in calculus at the back and it was this discovery that finally got me to make an appointment. I can handle the pain so thats not a worry but I am just wondering how people coped with losing teeth especially ones that are visible, I know that there are implants now so I could have them replaced but I am worried I won't have the money to do this in time.

I tend to have very OTT reactions to things and have attempted suicide over far smaller things than this so has anyone got any tips on how to cope with tooth loss. I am turning 28 and a single, fun loving girl but I know this will knock my confidence if I have to get dentures. The main thing going through my head is getting dentures and how will I ever have the confidence to be with someone again. What man wants to be with a girl with dentures?

I'm 25 here, and I too neglected my teeth - A diet of beer and coffee and cigarettes has given me the irish tan - pale skin, tanned teeth :P

Look it's not the end of the world. There's plenty of options out there and dentists will work out a payment plan for you if you need to and it would only add up to a few euros a week. Teeth are extremely important to a persons confidence and happiness in general so think of it as lesson learned. See what the dentist has to say and then try to tackle any changes you must make in an optimistic fashion, because like I said it's not the end of the world!


Good luck.

reprazant

The dentist can remove calculus easily. Unless you are in pain, I seriously doubt that you are going to have any teeth removed, maybe some fillings.

What makes you think that you have to have teeth out? Generally, you know before hand due to extreme pain. If you have no pain, you are grand. And even then, most teeth are savable. Tooth removal is the last resort.

LegacyUser

Well one of my front teeth is throbbing but this only appeared since I made the appointment, yea maybe all I will need is a root canal but since I have made the appointment I have spent the last week online researching gum disease etc. My bite feels different too.

reprazant

I think you are stressing too much about this.

You say that the throbbing only appeared after you made the appointment? That is more likely that you thinking and stressing about your teeth has brought that on.

Don't try and diagnose yourself. You probably diagnose the worst possible solution. The dentist will do it correctly for you.

Also, if you need a root canal, you would know about it. It would be a full on tooth ache, not a throbbing. When there is something wrong with your teeth, your teeth do not tell you subtly, they make sure you know about it.

dan_d

What's calculus?Is that not a section of mathematics?
I'd say you're just over-worrying OP. You'd be in a whole lot more pain if things were that bad.

Eoin

Hi OP

You're right, implants aren't cheap, but I would really try and dig deep and get the best treatment you can afford now, rather than doing the cost effective thing and regretting it down the road.

That said, you might be completely overthinking what you might need done. For all you know, it might just be a clean and a couple of fillings or crowns. Your dentist will give you a treatment plan after your inspection, so I'd try not to think about it until after your appointment - as obvious as that sounds!

dan_d wrote: »

What's calculus?Is that not a section of mathematics?

wiki.

tbh

dan_d wrote: »

What's calculus?Is that not a section of mathematics?
I'd say you're just over-worrying OP. You'd be in a whole lot more pain if things were that bad.

a calculus is a small stone - the branch of maths was named after it.

OP the helpful folks in the dental issues forum will probably be able to help you out - lots of dentists post there.

Dental Issues

vicecreamsundae

hey OP
i completely empathise, dentists are my bigggggest fear. i haven't been in so many years it's not even funny - i thank my lucky stars everyday that a filling hasnt fallen out or anything to cause me to go, and i'm dreaddddding the next time i have to go. know that the longer i leave it, probably the worse it will be, but it's a huge phobia, just thinking about it makes me sick with worry.

but! for all my nonsense, when i'm in a more logical mood, i KNOW it's so silly and that stressing about it is pointless. people go to the dentist everyday, and they get on fine, it's definitely not something you should let really bum you out. you probably wont need any procedure as drastic as you think. i'd say a lot of your fears are from reading about it online, the internet is the worst for self diagnosis! even if you DID need a tooth extracted, i doubt a dentist would just leave it like that? i could be wrong [better checking the dentist forum...im too scared to even LOOK in that forum!] but dont they even put in a kind of mock fake tooth, if you're not getting a proper fake tooth straight away?!
and as other posters said there are payment plans and everything. like another poster said, look at it as a positive thing to mark off the to do list.

good luck!
oh and you should really talk to someone -a friend or a counselor, don't let it drive you to suicidal thoughts!!!