Terrible teeth

galwayguy11111

I'm in my mid thirties and based in Galway (near to the Oranmore/Loughrea/Athenry area but also close to Galway city). For a number of years from my mid to late twenties I was a compulsive everything, drink, smoking, drugs, gambling etc.

I then met my future wife and straightened my life out. We have got married, had a kid and bought a house in the last 2 years. I also got into the career I want and so for the last 6 or 7 years I have been channelling all of my energy into my family and career.

But there is one thing looming over me since those days and it is my teeth. They are a mess, especially the lower front ones, they are covered in plaque and are rotten. Yesterday a piece from the front of one of them fell off while I was brushing my teeth.

I have a constant dull pain that I think I've just got my brain to be able to tune out, not taking painkillers or anything. This has also been a constant emotional drain, I worry about this daily, like for the last decade. I haven't been to a dentist in 15 years!

Those years in my twenties coupled with a phobia of dentists has got me where I am now. I can't change any of that. And I realise what I need to do now. I need to see a dentist ASAP.

I'm irrationally terrified, I think a big part of this is also a huge amount of embarrassment, but I need to put all of that aside now and see someone.

So what am I looking for here, I think I partly needed to write this out for myself.

But I'm also hoping that someone will be able to recommend someone to me that is in my area and that may have experience in this type of case.

Thanks for any help or suggestions that anyone has for me, here's to me finally being able to start taking the steps needed to put this issue to bed as we start 2020. I'm not expecting it to be an easy journey but I need to start taking the correct steps starting now.

Galwayguy35

I used to have a fear of a dentist as well because of a botched tooth extraction which did a lot of damage to me.

If you aren't too far away I'd recommend Loughrea Dental, Dr Sarah is very good and will get you sorted.

HBC08

Renmore Dental are the best in Galway and also have dentists that specialise in dealing with nervous patients.

btkm8unsl0w5r4

OP as a dentist myself I would suggest that your dental issues are not half as severe as you think, and its more the fear of the unknown compounded by years of not attending the dentists that has you scared.

You need to re-calibrate your thinking, and consider your ourney to dental health to be a good thing, to be enjoyed and embraced. Find a good dentist and go get checked out. A good dentist will develop a plan and divide it into reasonable appointments. Good luck and enjoy having nice teeth at the end of it.

decky1

never looked after mine either, had a bad experience when i was very young with a old lady dentist , still very nervous but had to bite the bullet[excuse the pun] and had to go found it ok now i'm older, but still not keen could do with a few other things done but keep putting it off , when you do go you will feel a lot better in yourself and i'm sure your wife will be happier with you too , as someone else said take it in small stages , dentists have come a long way since we were young.hope it works out for you.

hz5309ofgkc7pe

Hey OP. I was in a very similar position 3 years ago. Even the thoughts of making a dental appointment sent me into a tailspin. Combination of massive fear and embarrassment I think. Found a brilliant dental practice and dentist ( I'm not in Galway) and I finally have healthy teeth and gums.

Just do it, unfortunately your teeth will only get worse so the sooner you get sorted the better. You will be so relieved and proud of yourself after your first appointment. Dentistry is completely different now. I have had quite a bit of work done and I never felt a twinge of pain.

Best of luck.

bunderoon

Raelynn Tasteless Guerilla wrote: »

Hey OP. I was in a very similar position 3 years ago. Even the thoughts of making a dental appointment sent me into a tailspin. Combination of massive fear and embarrassment I think. Found a brilliant dental practice and dentist ( I'm not in Galway) and I finally have healthy teeth and gums.

Just do it, unfortunately your teeth will only get worse so the sooner you get sorted the better. You will be so relieved and proud of yourself after your first appointment. Dentistry is completely different now. I have had quite a bit of work done and I never felt a twinge of pain.

Best of luck.

Hey OP. Was in a similar position was yourself. I went to Tuam Dental. The dentist there (Terence) is not only a great dentist, but also very calm and thorough. No rush and explains everything he needs to do and at every stage of doing it.
I recommended him to my wife who had a terrible fear of dentists. Persuaded her to go and she got herself sorted aswell and now has no fears with them.
Tuam wouldn't be too far from you I'd say.

galwayguy11111

Thanks so much everyone for the recommendations and words of encouragement. It's also great to read about people who have come out the other side!

I'm going to call Loughrea Dental tomorrow to arrange that initial appointment.

spaceHopper

Been there with teeth, though not a bad as 15 years. All that worry just evaporates when you leave and it's sorted your teeth are fixed. Do it, even it it's expensive borrow the money from the credit union and pay it off bit by bit you won't be sorry.

I've just booked a high end prosthodontics to review my mum's care as she's having massive problems and been going to the local dentist for patches... her front tooth broke last night and she's miserable. You don't want to go there.

Don't settle on the first dentist you pick, make sure you are happy with the treatment plan. Don't be shy about getting a seconds opinion.

Smiley77

Hi OP,

Can I ask how you got on with your dental appointment? I’m in the same boat myself and trying to build up the courage to make the call!!

tinofapples

I don't have anything to add on the dental front but on this :

"For a number of years from my mid to late twenties I was a compulsive everything, drink, smoking, drugs, gambling etc."

Fair play to you on turning your life around with wife, kids and career, best of luck with all.

BohsCeltic

I think it's all about finding the right dentist. I always went 2 times a year for a clean and check up. Last time i went it was a different dentist and i was informed i was brushing my teeth too much and using a hard toothbrush so i had worn away the enamel. Now i need a full set of veneers which doesn't come cheap.
I'm angry that i was never informed of this by the other dentist before.

antix80

BohsCeltic wrote: »

I'm angry that i was never informed of this by the other dentist before.

I think you should see a third dentist...

btkm8unsl0w5r4

BohsCeltic wrote: »

I think it's all about finding the right dentist. I always went 2 times a year for a clean and check up. Last time i went it was a different dentist and i was informed i was brushing my teeth too much and using a hard toothbrush so i had worn away the enamel. Now i need a full set of veneers which doesn't come cheap.
I'm angry that i was never informed of this by the other dentist before.

Do you think you need a full set of veneers, are your teeth in very bad condition visibly?

BohsCeltic

Bruno Putrid Bakery wrote: »

Do you think you need a full set of veneers, are your teeth in very bad condition visibly?

They are stained because the enamel has worn off. Some of them are starting to chip now. Will try another dentist.

galwayguy11111

Smiley77 wrote: »

Hi OP,

Can I ask how you got on with your dental appointment? I’m in the same boat myself and trying to build up the courage to make the call!!

Hi Smiley, I booked in the appointment and went yesterday. It went fine, there are some things wrong that will need work, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. Everyone was very professional and friendly and I'm booked in for follow up sessions over the next month or so.

It's hard to describe but I felt as if I had a constant pressure in my brain when thinking about my dental issues. And just booking in the appointment relieved some of that pressure, and the appointment itself relieved most of the rest. It felt as if a weight had been lifted. I now have a clear head for the first time in quite a while!

Granted, it's not all going to be good news. But I was running through all of the possible things that could be wrong, will I need extractions, do I have gum disease, will I need implants/dentures etc. And this just overwhelmed me and I tended to just give up and bury my head in the sand (I think that's similar to the tailspin that itsallgood1 mentioned above and it was definitely the fear of the unknown as fitzgeme said).

But when you get the diagnosis from the dentist, this collapses all of that down to just the actual issues. Then you know what needs to be fixed and can plan accordingly, everything becomes much clearer.

So the best thing you can do is make the call and book in the appointment, it's probably free if you're working/have PRSI cover. You'll feel much better afterwards guaranteed. So just do it!

Hope you get it sorted.

And thanks once again for everyone's input.