So upset

[Sonset]

Toothache appeared in my back bottom teeth today, I had a look and realised my teeth are in awful condition. When I smile they look fine but when you look in my mouth and look at the tops there's small black spots on the front ones getting bigger and bigger as you go further back. I googled it and it's tooth decay. I'm 24 and nearly all my teeth are decaying. Crying at how bad it is and I didn't realise. I admit I could brush my teeth more and do sometimes get into bed and realise I've forgot and not bother, but I do brush them most days. I haven't gone to the dentist in two years though and I don't floss. This is going to cost a fortune.

Don't panic! Honestly, you need to get to a dentist and find out what exactly is going on, but don't panic yet.

Can you call around dentists tomorrow and get an appointment asap?

I know it's overwhelming (I am terrified of the dentist and hate going, so I do know!) but it's much better to grab the bull by the horns when it comes to teeth.

Don't panic, could just be a few minor fillings.

You'd be surprised what they can do with fillings
Surface fillings the same colour as your teeth at the front if you need them you won't even be able to tell

The longer you leave it, the worse it will get and the more expensive it will become!

I say that as a 32 year old who is about to spend £10k on getting my teeth fixed (crowns, fillings, a bridge, an implant and veneer work) because I left it so long to go to a dentist (at one point I was using super glue to stick my chipped front tooth together!) When I did finally see a dentist, the cheaper option was for him just to pull the offending teeth, leaving me with gaps in my upper molars meaning I have to chew on my premolars which are now heavily filled.

Please don't end up in my position

Thanks all.. I'm 5 months pregnant and only work 10 hours per week so just feel so daunted at how I'm supposed to afford to get them back in any kind of decent condition. Can't get myself into an NHS dentist they're all full in my area.

You get free dental treatment whilst pregnant and for the 12months after birth, so now is the perfect time to get things done.

Tooth decay is as much about diet as dental hygiene. Do you snack between meals? Drink sugary or acidic drinks?

@Endofrelationship Appears you only get free dental treatment during pregnancy with NHS dentists, none of them are taking on NHS patients only private yes I'm definitely a snacker, especially during pregnancy, still start brushing throughout the day to try and counteract this. Normally just drink water or squash in the days but had a craving for lemonade this pregnancy which probably isn't helping.

There's a phone number here to help find an NHS dentist.

www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/dentists/how-to-find-an-nhs-dentist/

Thank you for that @SamSpade unfortunately that's for NHS England I'm in Wales, I rang a few weeksvago to try and get on a waiting list for Wales and was told there's a 6 year waiting list for my area, I've added my name but unfortunately it doesn't seem like anything will be done sooner unless I pay privately they suggested I ring around other locals and ask if they would take me on but no luck there either. Such an awful system

Where are you in Wales?

I would ring around, if you say you are exempt from charges there might be a dentist who takes you on.

They aren't necessarily decayed. It could be staining, it could be previous decay. Black isn't necessarily active decay and it doesn't always need fillings. Don't panic.

Get yourself to a check up, even if you just go to a private check up to find out exactly what needs doing.

Then the next step is to start brushing your teeth every day twice a day. You also need to stop the snacks, and the lemonade. Keep it to mealtimes and snack on things without sugar if you must. Please don't brush straight after snacks as that can erode your teeth.

Get it all undercontrol because if you do end up needing lots of work theres no point going through it all if your not looking after your teeth as well as you could.