need dental work but scared

ruby30

Hi I was just wondering if there was anyone here who could help me. Im a female in my 30s and my teeth are an absolute mess.
Im currently in pain from two broken teeth and its pushing me to finally do something about it as I cant eat or sleep properly.
Im so scared to go to the dentist and a so so ashamed of the mess ive let my teeth get into. Is there anyone who has been in the same position and found a dentist in Dublin that was understanding? Id really prefer somewhere that does gas or an alternative to needles to numb.
even typing this is difficult as the fear is building up and I feel sick at the thought of addressing it. But I really really want to finally get it sorted. id be so grateful for any help.

Abrean

Hi, I was like you last year, hadn't been to a dentist in nearly 10 years (due to sheer terror!) and in pain all the time. Just had to make the decision that I was going to go and get sorted and so I had the most urgent stuff taken care of first and now I'm slowly (1 appointment a month) getting the rest of the fillings done. Not sure where you're located but I'm going to a very nice dentist in Dun Laoghaire, she's very understanding and takes it slowly and now I'm not even that afraid it's just part of my routine. If you'd told me a year ago I wouldn't be afraid of the dentist any more I'd have told you that you were mad! As to the fear of needles to numb, I just take a good painkiller before I go to the dentist and then she uses the numbing gel stuff first as well and I feel nothing.

Hope this helps and let me know if you want the name of my dentist in Dun Laoghaire.

ruby30

thank you so so much for your response. I really appreciate it. I would really love the name of your dentist if you could pm it to me?
Thank you again for taking the time to respond.
Im based in Dublin 8 so any other recommendations from people are also more than welcome

Gehad_JoyRider

Hey Op...

First of You can get through this. your gonna need a few things a squeeze ball and music. and a gun hoe attitude of I want to smile again and be proud of it. and you can.

So this day 23 months ago I started my treatment But just to add i remember lieing in the chair and the only thing I really remember was smiling going im here Im getting it done at last.

So here's what was wrong with me. On my upper jaw booths sides my 2s were knackered my number ones had cavities and my number 3s were the same.
I needed 10 fillings a root canal a double bridge a clean, and I needed 7 or 8 teeth removing. I'd broken teeth and I was in a bad way. Just like you!

Like you things were just getting worse. I know it sounds like laughing gass is helpfull but its not. your better of with being clear headed Its not a hard thing to do make sure what ever work you have co insides witha few days off, not because of the pain but because you will be mentally exhausted.

I know your reading that your hands are probably palms sweating and you probably had your hand covering your mouth I know I would of done the same, but denistry has changed and there are some amazing dentist out there... You can get through it and swear its satisfying being able to smile but its just as amazing to know you bet a fear.

What I would say is find a good Irish dentist that's your key, the reason i say an Irish dentist is because there irish but there going to be there if there's a problem if you feck of on an areoplane to...... Its get a little messy just my opinion.

if you'd like a before and after picture not a problem ill put one uo


Just to top it off These days I've a better smile then most of my friends

So go for it

If you want my rocmendation just ask.

jelenka

I have to say , I was petrified of dentists my whole life , ever since my mum said when I was 6 " only a check up " and then a minute later the dentist pulls one of my teeth out. ouch .
I have been delaying visitin a dentist for 10 years , 2 pregnancies later , my back teeth started crumbling and I needed to get fillings done . Still didn't go . Gotten worse , so I went only knowing that nothing will be done on the first visit . Was shaking the whole 10 minutes I was in the chair . Delayed my next visit for a year , by this time I needed 2 crowns .Then I went to someone who was highly recommended to me by my relatives , its a dentist in naas , he is canadian and is absolutely lovely .
I went to him and it was first time that I sat in the chair without feeling anything , I mean the needle didnt hurt , nothing at all hurt , he was definitely very gentle . I got my teeth done withing a few months , spaced out my appointments . I would highly recommend this dentist if you are worried , he doesnt judge at all , and is really , really nice and an expert in cosmetic dentistry , so he will give you a perfect smile .

L1011

I refused to go to dentists, and then my employer took on a major dental chain as a customer. Doing three buildouts and general maintenance work meant I grew to ignore drill noise which was the biggest issue. Eventual check up needed some work, but nothing hideous and it's all done now. Nothing worth actually being scared of.

ruby30

I really cant thank you guys enough for responding. after reading your messages of success it really does give me hope. im still terrified but knowing that ye guys have conquered this really does make me feel like i can do it too.
ive had a really really ****ty few years and the thoughts of being properly able to smile without covering my teeth would really mean the world to me.
Gehad_joyrider I would really be interested in a recommendation if you could please pm it to me? Id really be interested in seeing the pics too if thats possible? and thank you for taking the time to go into the detail in your post. i figure i will be needing a similar amount of work. so its really great to know that it achievable.
Thank you Jalenka for your message. Unfortunately Nass is a bit too far for me to travel. I know its crappy that we all have or had this fear but its really good to know that im not alone in this.
I really do feel insprired after reading your responses. so thank you!

ruby30

I WENT TO THE DENTIST!!!!
I am so so so relieved and I just want to say thank you guys for your words of encouragement. I cried all the way in there, in the waiting room and at the start of the consultation and then walked out smiling.
Although the dentist didnt do anything this visit we are starting treatment next weekand i am going to get IV sedation as we are starting with two root canals. i have a dental plan of action that isnt as bad as i thought it wouldbe. And although its expensiveit'll be worth every cent.
But i seriously want to say thanks cause i really did feel better for not feeling alone in this.

helimachoptor

Just to echo joyrider, I had my own dental issues, getting them fixed brings such a sense of relief and generally a lot more smiles! Best of luck with the treatment!

wexie

Ruby,

Just a few words of support, I've had very very extensive dental work done (more extensive than anything mentioned here so far) at great cost and I can honestly tell you it wasn't a particularly pleasant experience. But it's absolutely been worth every bit of stress and pain. Being able to smile and laugh without being paranoid about it is such an incredible relief that for me it far outweighed not being in pain anymore.

Or just being able to eat anything you want without having to worry about what's going to crack or come loose. Eating toffee's, biting into a big juicy apple.

You've taken a very big and brave first step and you'll get through all of it and it'll be totally worth it.

Well done and good luck!!!

Gehad_JoyRider

ruby30 wrote: »

I WENT TO THE DENTIST!!!!
I am so so so relieved and I just want to say thank you guys for your words of encouragement. I cried all the way in there, in the waiting room and at the start of the consultation and then walked out smiling.
Although the dentist didnt do anything this visit we are starting treatment next weekand i am going to get IV sedation as we are starting with two root canals. i have a dental plan of action that isnt as bad as i thought it wouldbe. And although its expensiveit'll be worth every cent.
But i seriously want to say thanks cause i really did feel better for not feeling alone in this.

welcome to the start well done its not so bad is it.

krissovo

I am in the same boat, terrified but so many broken teeth and very shortly will effect my job. I need an understanding dentist in around malahide area if anyone can pass on details.

Bradz213

I'm in a similar position. Mid 20's, just keep putting it off mainly due to embarrassment and fear. So many off my teeth are crumbling apart, some to the gum line. Most are back teeth but the side of one of my incisors broke away a few years ago and is getting worse. It is noticeable when I smile and sometimes when just talking and I'm very concious of it Trying to work myself up to man up and get it over and done with

wexie

Bradz213 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position. Mid 20's, just keep putting it off mainly due to embarrassment and fear. So many off my teeth are crumbling apart, some to the gum line. Most are back teeth but the side of one of my incisors broke away a few years ago and is getting worse. It is noticeable when I smile and sometimes when just talking and I'm very concious of it Trying to work myself up to man up and get it over and done with

You know what the funny thing is (in a most cynical way)?

The pain and embarrassment you're living with day to day is far far worse than the pain you're afraid of

And believe me, the dentist will have seen it all before.

ruby30

Hi bradz.
I completely get where you are at. Believe me u was in the same place only weeks ago when I started this thread. The first step was sonorous the hardest.
I was actually coming online now to post about having had my first root canal done yesterday and how great it feels to be moving forward with getting everything done.
For me a huge huge thing was letting the dentist even look inside my mouth as I've spent years hiding my teeth. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed. But I really couldn't have imagined the relief I feel now that I've let that happen and to have started treatment has really made me feel like i can take on the world.

I'm based in Dublin and cannot recommend my dentist enough so if you'd like his name just drop me a PM and ill give it to you.

I am so grateful for the support I found here. Just knowing that you're not the only one in this situation helps loads. I guess what I'm saying is if i can do it you can too. Make an appointment and that's the first step. Good luck!

Bradz213 wrote: »

I'm in a similar position. Mid 20's, just keep putting it off mainly due to embarrassment and fear. So many off my teeth are crumbling apart, some to the gum line. Most are back teeth but the side of one of my incisors broke away a few years ago and is getting worse. It is noticeable when I smile and sometimes when just talking and I'm very concious of it Trying to work myself up to man up and get it over and done with

Bradz213

wexie wrote: »

You know what the funny thing is (in a most cynical way)?

The pain and embarrassment you're living with day to day is far far worse than the pain you're afraid of

And believe me, the dentist will have seen it all before.

ruby30 wrote: »

Hi bradz.
I completely get where you are at. Believe me u was in the same place only weeks ago when I started this thread. The first step was sonorous the hardest.
I was actually coming online now to post about having had my first root canal done yesterday and how great it feels to be moving forward with getting everything done.
For me a huge huge thing was letting the dentist even look inside my mouth as I've spent years hiding my teeth. I felt so embarrassed and ashamed. But I really couldn't have imagined the relief I feel now that I've let that happen and to have started treatment has really made me feel like i can take on the world.

I'm based in Dublin and cannot recommend my dentist enough so if you'd like his name just drop me a PM and ill give it to you.

I am so grateful for the support I found here. Just knowing that you're not the only one in this situation helps loads. I guess what I'm saying is if i can do it you can too. Make an appointment and that's the first step. Good luck!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I am getting closer to taking the plunge. A few weeks ago I was terrified but reading through here has helped.

SaoirseRose

Ah I completely sympathise with you and I understand exactly what that fear is like!

I spent years without attending a dentist because I was so scared. I ended up finding a great dentist in Naas which is a bit of a trek from Dublin, but it was so worth it for me and these days my teeth are so much better and I am so much more confident.

I'd be happy to send you his details if you want to drop me a pm. I still get the bus to him 5 years later even just for a filling, because I wouldn't trust anyone else near my mouth after some of the dentists I've encountered. And also, because he makes you feel so at ease and not at all embarrassed about your anxieties.

I had 2 crowns done last year without even getting numbed, no bother at all, compared to 5 years ago I could barely think about picking up the phone to book an appointment.

Just go and get the first appointment done, find out what you need fixed and take it from there. You'll feel so much better even just knowing what needs to be done, instead of thinking the worst in your head. It's probably not half as bad as you think

Best of luck

gogo

Hi, I'm in much the same position as the op, after years of avoiding the dentist I have finally realized that I cant leave it any longer, I went for a consultation two weeks ago - cried all the way through. I only went because I knew I had an abscess on a broken tooth so I knew I'd be getting a perception, nothing else. I am finally ready to go back and get my teeth sorted once and for all, I don't go anywhere without painkillers in case something I eat set off a tooth ache and have decided I can't go on. But just a quick question, whilst I known everybody is different, for those of you that needed a lot of work what sort of money did it cost. I have some savings but terrified that I'll go in and won't be able to afford half of what needs doing. I know I need two rootcanals and good knows how many fillings. Will the dentist let me know costs before hand, I'm working so I know the smaller stuff should be ok, pay from my wages as I go, but terrified I'm going to stand at some receptionists desk with a bill i can't pay for the bigger stuff. Can't afford it has always been my go to excuse, but I reckon I'm spending as much on painkiller now anyway. Are we talking thousands here, 1/2 thousand? Ball park figure?

krissovo

I went eventually, I was in the same boat with regards to pain killers......Anyway, the emergency work was €2k.....I needed surgery as one tooth was rotten into the jaw and lots of route canal. I am missing most my front teeth from a accident so really I need implants now and have been quoted silly money.

InPsyDer

I had a consultation at a "big name" dentist which ended with a horrifying quote, but found one at half the cost in Phibsboro by Googling for Northern prices dentists. Been back a few times since, lovely team and very reasonable. I rang about a dozen places before finding them and all were priced a good bit higher so am happy to have found one to keep going back to. Was pretty freaked out before first visit but now feel quite at ease about checkups etc!

ruby30

Im glad you got sorted Krissovo and i hope youre not in pain anymore.

ruby30

Going in for my last appointment today! (Well i have to go back in November for the crown) but after today I'll have all the main work done. I can't believe it. Just wanted to say thank you to those that responded to me and spurred me on to finally going to the dentist. You've no idea how much that helped.

ruby30

I know this is a really old post to drag back up but I just wanted to give an update in case there's others who are still putting off going to the dentist.

So I finished all my routine dental treatment last year and i really couldn't be happier about having made that step. As you can see from the earlier posts in this thread, I was so scared and upset. Well things have really turned around for me. I went in for a 6 month check up recently and needed absolutely nothing done! I can't even begin to explain how good that felt.
So after a lot of thought and saving I have now begun orthodontic treatment! I got my train tracks fitted a few days ago.
I never thought I'd get this far and feel ok sitting in a dentist chair. Never mind going the c extra mile and getting my teeth straightened.
So if you're on the fence about making that first step, please do it. You won't regret it

btkm8unsl0w5r4

Fantastic stuff there ruby. Big thumbs up.