Convince me not to cancel my dentist appointment tomorrow!

[TeethyMcTeethFace]

I've booked a dental appointment for tomorrow morning and I'm on the verge of cancelling...

I've not been for only a couple of years but my teeth have deteriorated significantly in that time. I have a condition that causes poor circulation (including to gums) which can lead to weakened tooth structure. Added to this, the medication for said condition causes tooth decay as a side effect. I have a few teeth that have broken at the gumline, one almost completely. I currently have an abscess although it's causing no discomfort. I've put off going as I was pregnant so wanted to avoid unnecessary procedures/drugs etc (and morning sickness probably hasn't helped my teeth either) but baby is here now so I really have no excuse, other than being incredibly embarrassed and ashamed by the state that my teeth have got into over a relatively short period of time.

Tell me I'd be stupid to cancel my appointment and to just suck it up and get on with it

You need to go, they will only get worse. The dentist will be fine and will give you lots of helpful advice. You are also best to get the abscess sorted before it causes trouble, because then you will have no option but to go - and you will be in a lot of pain.

You can do it - you've given birth, the dentist will be fine.

Please go. The abscess, although not bothering you atm could turn nasty very quickly.
You will feel very frustrated with yourself if you cancel.

I avoided the dentist for 12 years due to a huge phobia. When I was forced to go by a dreadful abscess, I sobbed through the whole appointment where my 16 year old daughter held my hand. I was so embarrassed that I just wanted to die. The dentist was lovely. I would probably have cried less if she had been less understanding.

I still have to force myself to go to the dentist. I have very soft teeth and thick saliva, which basically rots them in my mouth. Please go, as your dentist can help you save the teeth you have.

My teeth are fucked. Had another pulled today. Great start to the new year 😭. Dentists are used to it, it is embarrassing yes but you’ll get over it. I don’t really think about it anymore. Just be brave and go. Xxxx

You know really that leaving it until you’re in agony/ really brought low by chronic infection isn’t being kind to yourself.

I really do get how hard it can be.And you’ve been handed a short straw when it comes to dental problems. That’s not your fault.

You know that not going will not get rid of the problem, just leave it hanging over you.
You know you want to get to the other side of this, else you wouldn’t have bothered starting a thread.

You know that things we dread are almost always better than we think.

Courage in both hands. Focus on giving yourself a reward afterwards- special indulgent cafe outing, or even a stiff drink. Whatever works. Focus on getting to that, and posting to let us know how proud you are of achieving this.
We’re rooting for you. And sending good vibes for your victory tomorrow.

Pls post when you’ve been, so we can congratulate you!

Congratulations on your courage to book appointment. First hurdle over. Go tomorrow.. it took time, worry, anxiety and upset to make it,now your dealing with it. It will only get worse if u leave it. I know have not been to a dentist in almost 30 yrs dreadful crooked teeth with resceding gums. Look after yourself if not for yourself for your child. Good luck .

Thank you everyone

Look after yourself if not for yourself for your child

This is why I made the appointment. I'm at risk of endocarditis and myocarditis so I don't really have a choice...

1. If you leave it until it gets worse then you'll probably end up in there as an emergency, in pain ,scared and under pressure.
2. A lot of people realise once they actually see a dentist that their teeth aren't as bad as they thought.
3. The possible complications just aren't worth it.

Some of the hardest things I've not shirked from, were because I couldn't bear to give my child the example of how to fail.

You can do this.

Be brave. You can do it.

If baby is under a year old then you get free treatment now, you won't necessarily next year.

I could do easily cancel this morning, baby didn't sleep until 5am 😭

Tooth infections can cause dreadful complications for the rest of the body. Some of them extreme. Go to the dentist!! At the very least, google it and frighten yourself into attending.

They've called me this morning and cancelled 😖 Have managed to get an appointment with another practice but not until 14th January

I have dental phobia and hadn’t been to the dentist for 10 years. I feel ashamed just admitting to this. I finally plucked up the courage to go to a new dentist before Christmas and had my first treatment this morning. I was so scared beforehand that I had to walk to the surgery because my hands were shaking so much I couldn’t even put the keys in the ignition of my car. I need a few fillings and a root canal and I had some of this done this morning. I was fine!!! I had no pain and at one point I nearly fell asleep during the treatment. I have the world’s nicest, most supportive dentist and he helped me so much. I now feel like such an idiot for not going sooner. I have some more treatment to come and for the first time on 30 years, I’m not scared about it.

Please go OP. Not having gone for a couple of years is nothing. There are people like me who haven’t gone for years and years. Dentists see this all the time and they are there to help, they aren’t judging you.

This sounds ridiculous but I’m so happy right now, so relieved that I’ve finally been to the dentist, that I want to go and celebrate!!

Go while it's free! Used to be free for 12 months after baby.

Does anyone know how I can get antibiotics before my new appointment on 14th? Wondering whether I can sweet talk my GP but I know they don't go anywhere near dental issues

Go while it's free and get everything done you can!

If it's an emergency you need to tell them that rather than wait for routine appointment. Nhs website will tell you practices that will do emergency treatment.

In my experience a GP will tell you to see a dentist anyway.

It really doesn't pay to not go to the dentist because your dental problems will just accumulate and require more drastic treatment.

After a lot of phone calls I've managed to book an appointment for 2pm today

Well done. Please keep that appointment. You will regret it if you don't. And don't be afraid to tell the dentist that you are nervous. They are used to nervous patients.

Well done OP!

I'm not nervous at all, I'm just ashamed! Today's appointment is an emergency one at the "local" (an hour away) dental access centre so I'm sure they'll have seen worse...

Good Luck, you can do this.