Embarrassed/Ashamed to go to Dentists

Big Whiskey

Hi all,

Been contemplating posting her for a while but finally plucked up the courage.

Basically, ever since a bad experience in the dentists when I was 5, I've always been petrified. The last time I went was about 14 years ago (I'm now 29), but I've been putting it off for so long, it's now finally come to a head and I want to tckle it (up until now if the dentists was even mentioned I would get embarrassed/sweat/heart would race). I probably havent smiled properly in about 12 years and it really makes me sad and gets me down.

My teeth are in a very bad way (started in my teens when I had stomach problems resulting in excess stomach acid with a lot of vomiting which discoloured my teeth), and followed me into my 20's with drinking, smoking while drinking and coffee/coca cola.

Nearly all of my front teeth are stained, one is massively chipped, and almost all of my back teeth are gone completely or small bits left in the gums.

Recently I have been having occasional problems eating and something it even affects my speech in relation to certain words.

I'm petrified I am a lost cause and can't help think the worst. I just want to get this sorted once and for all but didn't know who to talk to. My partner and family know how upset it makes me so they try not bring it up but it's destroying me.

Any help appreciated guys.

ronn

Any dentist you go to will treat you with respect and in a professional manor, just say it to the dentist that your terrified and they'll treat you with kid gloves, (if you get me). And get you through it, you'll be fine,

Rachiee

Dentist don't talk to adults the way they do to kids you won't be scolded for not taking care of your teeth.lots of adults don't take care if their teeth and however bad yours are the Dennis will have seen worse. The dentist will check out what you have and come up with a treatment plan you'll feel better for having going good luck

Big Whiskey

Thanks guys

If I made an appointment and went, would they carry out work that very day or would it just be more of a chat and discussion about what they need to do going forward?

Thanks

Wedwood

Get them checked, nearly everyone has something about their teeth they don't like.

All those perfect pearly whites you see on TV or big screen are usually the product of an expensive cosmetic dental surgeon so they look good on screen !!

The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be sorted - smile !!!

Kristopherus

Big Whiskey wrote: »

Thanks guys

If I made an appointment and went, would they carry out work that very day or would it just be more of a chat and discussion about what they need to do going forward?

Thanks

No. Most likely they will give you a good examination of your teeth and will then talk you through your options. I had a similar situation to yours and I could'nt be happier at the way the dentist looked after me. The dentists nowadays are very non-judgemental and no matter how bad things may appear to you, you can be 100% certain the dentist will have seen worse. Best of luck.

Big Whiskey

Kristopherus wrote: »

No. Most likely they will give you a good examination of your teeth and will then talk you through your options. I had a similar situation to yours and I could'nt be happier at the way the dentist looked after me. The dentists nowadays are very non-judgemental and no matter how bad things may appear to you, you can be 100% certain the dentist will have seen worse. Best of luck.

Thanks for that

Big Whiskey

Wedwood wrote: »

Get them checked, nearly everyone has something about their teeth they don't like.

All those perfect pearly whites you see on TV or big screen are usually the product of an expensive cosmetic dental surgeon so they look good on screen !!

The sooner you go, the sooner you'll be sorted - smile !!!

Cheers

The Wild Bunch

Edit.

EoghanIRL

It's not the dentists job to judge you . They will help you and give you advice.
In the op it seems that you are concerned that they will judge you because of your teeth and habits .

Dentists see patients with bad teeth all the time. The longer you put it off the worse it's likely to be . Perhaps just go to the dentist for a check up . No treatment would need to be carried out on the visit . They could assess your teeth and tell you where you stand and the best course of action . Some dentists are more experienced in nervous patients also .

Munstermissy

Kristopherus wrote: »

No. Most likely they will give you a good examination of your teeth and will then talk you through your options. I had a similar situation to yours and I could'nt be happier at the way the dentist looked after me. The dentists nowadays are very non-judgemental and no matter how bad things may appear to you, you can be 100% certain the dentist will have seen worse. Best of luck.

Likewise with me, I plucked up the courage not having gone in over 10 years in August. I was so mortified of the state I let my teeth go to that I actually cried at the first appointment but they were so nice. They explained and outlined my options. I had the treatment under sedation and all done and dusted around the hour mark.

I can now finally smile again after 20 years. Make the appointment, you will not regret it and best of luck.

Keano

I didn't go for close on 15 years to see a dentist. I hated my teeth and was so embarrassed but my dentist that day was great and I never looked back. I have had a lot of work done that included braces for 18 months but I'm a different person now because of it. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to chat

Big Whiskey

Keano wrote: »

I didn't go for close on 15 years to see a dentist. I hated my teeth and was so embarrassed but my dentist that day was great and I never looked back. I have had a lot of work done that included braces for 18 months but I'm a different person now because of it. Feel free to drop me a PM if you want to chat

Thanks, Pm sent

I too had terrifying experiences with a butcher of a dentist in childhood! I now get my dental work done under sedation. Costs more, but they can do a lot in one go, and you don't feel, nor remember, a thing.

timetogo

Another vote for going in. The dentists these days are not the same as you had when you were a kid. I hate going too as I had some bad experiences too when I was young.

I put off getting my wisdom teeth done for years and just got them done last year. The absolute worst bit was all in my head. After getting it done I wished I'd done it years ago.

chooey

I have a very similar story to yours in that I had a number of bad experiences as a child and have been petrified ever since. I lost a back molar years ago and still didn't do anything about it but one of my fillings fell out two weeks ago and I know that I have to do something before I lose all my teeth! I went to the dentist for the first time in about ten years yesterday evening and he was brilliant. I told him how nervous I was, he explained everything so thoroughly and made a treatment plan. I need quite a bit of work- a root extraction from the tooth that fell out, 4 fillings and an implant if I want to replace that tooth but he was so good I'm actually looking forward to getting the work started and have booked my first visit in 2 weeks. He cleaned and polished my teeth last night also and they look amazing this morning. Definitely book in for your first visit- I'm thrilled this morning that I actually went ahead and did it.

iusedtoknow

same story to you as well

I was butchered by the school "dentist" who put me off, stopped going around 13 or 14. Am now 30

Finally picked up the courage and it was great. He did an examination and X-rays, then had the teeth cleaned. After they were cleaned he came back to me and showed the x-rays and outlined the work that I needed, and what was going to be done. We started the next week

A deep clean, 1 replacement filling, 2 new ones and 1 crown. I need to get a wisdom tooth pulled as well. Nearly everything is done, except for the wisdom tooth - after that...it's off to the orthodontist for me.

He was calm, didn't give out to me - his actually said that his job wasn't to judge what happened before, just to get my mouth as healthy as he could, as conservatively as he could (i.e. no extractions)

Skatedude

Similer here, hated my old dentist, all he ever wanted to do was pull teeth. Changed to one of the modern clinic and there is a world of difference. They actually fix teeth instead of giving out to me and just pulling them.
Wish i swapped years ago

Heckler

Hi,

I've left my teeth get into a dreadful state, mostly the back up and down. Worn, chipped, broken. Some chipped in the front as well. Probably the wear down is the worst. Half a tooth with the other half being an ancient filling just hanging in. This is about 4 of my back teeth btw.

I don't eat food that needs substantial chewing or any kind of hard food anymore.

Like a few others I had a bad experience when I was young. Went to trainee dentist college where I had a bad time. Was at the dentist last time 4 years ago where he said I wasn't too bad in general but they have gotten a lot worse since.

Pretty sure I'm going to be told to get dentures.

I'm ashamed and embarassed to go but at the same time I know the longer I leave it the worse its going to get. Can anyone recommend a dentist in the Cork area that they have had success with ? If theres any dentists on here who could help me out a PM would be appreciated.

Thanks.