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Original poster

Please no judgement, bad teeth

20 replies

Petrifiedcat · 23/02/2021 13:39

No excuses about it, I have previously taken very bad care of my teeth and the rest of my body in general.
Starting to lose weight and learn how to take care of myself properly.

Unfortunately years of bad mental health has taken its toll and mostly on my teeth.

They are awful. Stained and have plaque that won't budge
A few years ago I chipped a tooth and left it, terrified of facing the dentist cause the neglect is clear on my teeth.

No amount of brushing is making a difference, I fear its too late

Last night my chipped tooth turned black (not envy)

I feel so ashamed, dont want to open my mouth for anything, not even eating.

Please can someone advise?
Any dentists on MN?

OP posts:

Saz12 · 23/02/2021 13:47

I’m deeply ashamed of my teeth, too. It’s awful and such a vicious circle.

FindingMeno · 23/02/2021 13:54

Firstly, see if you can get an NHS dentist, then arrange a check up.
Secondly, private dentists may offer a maintenance plan. You pay a monthly amount for a yearly/ 6 monthly check up and hygienist appointment, where they can get to work on your teeth and hopefully will prevent further serious problems before they start.
Good luck, and don't be ashamed because you are taking action now!

JimmyTheBrave · 23/02/2021 14:03

I was going to say what Finding said ^^ get yourself booked in and they can start a plan.

My DH had pretty stained teeth after a combination of not going for check-ups and then a period of illness and they are so much better after having regular hygienist appointments. Not sure if they're recommended by dentists but he found an electric toothbrush made a difference as well as starting to use mouthwash.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health

FindingMeno · 23/02/2021 14:06

My dentist recommended I use a good electric toothbrush and those little brushes for between the teeth.

QueenPaw · 23/02/2021 14:10

Go to the dentist. Honestly
Mine never judges at all, I've been today for a check up and hygienist and they were lovely as usual

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 23/02/2021 14:32

Electric toothbrush, interdental brushes, edge brush, floss, mouthwash.

MonkeyNotOrgangrinder · 23/02/2021 14:39

It's never too late to start looking after yourself. Make an appointment with the dentist and go from there. Your teeth will look so much better when scaled and polished, then you can go from there. Buy some floss and interdental brushes and you'll be able to maintain them

nellly · 23/02/2021 14:41

Honestly just go, I had similar after a previous abusive relationship where I didn't have access to money for private and no nhs availability nearby, they were lovely about it and never said a word about whether I had been neglecting them

Heatherjayne1972 · 23/02/2021 14:48

Please Go and see someone
I promise We don’t judge.

I’ve met many people who tell me that they’ve got ‘the worst teeth ever’ and never has it been so awful we couldn’t do anything
You will get an honest opinion and a treatment plan
This is definitely something we can help with There all sorts of things that can be offered these days

Please pluck up the courage op you’ll be glad you did

Tonightstheteriyakichicken · 23/02/2021 14:53

I am not a dentist but please do pluck up your courage and find a dentist and make an appointment. They are professionals who will have seen it all before, (and worse), they can work wonders and take great satisfaction in giving patients back their confidence.

EnglishGirlApproximately · 23/02/2021 14:58

Hi I was in your position recently and I posted about it on here. I plucked up the courage to go to the dentist just before Christmas and it was ok. I've been twice since and have a treatment plan. I called a private dentist and had a good conversation with the practice manager to talk about how I felt. She made me an appointment with the dentist she always put nervous patients with and he was great. Really honest and kind. My first five minutes I wad crying and shaking as I'm such a nervous patient but the goodness is I've been twice since and its getting easier. Please go, look at reviews and ask around for recommendations you won't regret it.

Adskps · 23/02/2021 14:58

OP my teeth were absolutely awful I had one at the back that was completely crumbled and black and constantly getting abcesses from it, and another that needed an absolutely huge filling. I was so embarassed I didn't get it sorted for nearly 10 years. I'm in my 20s but mental health and alcohol addiction in my teens trashed my teeth.
I was so sure all my teeth were going to need to be extracted but actually they were fine it was just the crumbled one that needed out and one filling in the other one, I explained in my form before attending.my.appointment that I hadn't been in so long because I was embarassed and the dentist was so so kind and reassuring and made me feel totally at ease. I also booked a scale and polish which made such a difference too.
And best of all I never have to think about my teeth now, it used to keep me up at night worrying about them and I'd constantly try not to smile too wide in public etc. Now the only time.i think about teeth is when I'm brushing them and that's it.
Please do make an appointment, they won't judge you and it will be such a weight off your shoulders.

GuessWhosBackBackAgain · 23/02/2021 15:03

Awwww I totally understand, OP.

My teeth were quite bad due to eating disorders as a teen, then not seeing a dentist for years, then an NHS dentist totally fucking up some treatment. I also felt really dentist phobic.

I ended up finding a wonderful private dentist, who is so amazing that she makes my dental appointments feel like a relaxing spa treatment! I've had loads of work done in the past two years and now my teeth look fantastic! It's cost a fair bit of money but was worth every penny as they look better and best of all I have no accesses and tooth ache.

I would suggest, if you can afford it, phoning round a few local private dentists and having a chat with them. Chances are if the receptionists are nice and sympathetic then the dentists will be too. Then you could book in for a consultation with a dentist at the one you like most. Say that you want to see a dentist who has experience of nervous patients.

Good luck, OP

MechantGourmet · 23/02/2021 15:04

No judgement at all! Can you switch to an electric toothbrush? An oral B or Braun, around £25-30 will make a difference really it will.
Try to use mouthwash to minimise bacteria in your mouth between brushings (and don't ever brush within 30 minutes of eating).
It's really hard for some people to visit a dentist, particularly if they've had an unsympathetic or scary visit as a child.

Can you get a personal recommendation from someone who lives near you, for a dentist? Mine is absolutely lovely, and didn't bat an eyelid when I said I hadn't been for ten years. (All was fine though, thankfully).

Herja · 23/02/2021 15:06

It's only going to get worse if your ignore it.

Try and find an NHS dentist firstly, or it will prove extremely costly. Book in for a checkup first. Explain that you know they are in poor condition before you have the examination, if you think it will make you feel better. I have had one rude dentist, most have been very reassuring (my teeth are pretty shit and while there is a genetic component, it's mostly caused by lack of care and loads of drugs in my teens).

Ultimately though, fuck the embarrassment. That black tooth needs looking at, just like any other embarrasing medical problem needs to be looked at. It's got to be less embarrassing than a smear, right?

ginswinger · 23/02/2021 15:11

If you can afford it, go private, then you pay them to be nice to you.

My dentist discusses every penny of the treatment before they do anything so you know what to budget for. It's not cheap but if you don't ask you won't know. Focus on those lovely gnashers you're going to have and be proud that you turned a corner today. No more fear!

Ponywinter · 23/02/2021 15:21

I don’t know how old you are but get it done now before you end up like me. I’m in my 50s and, despite what people here say, every NHS dentist I’ve seen has been horrible. Shouting at me when I was nervous, so I ended up in tears, telling me I had the worst teeth they’d seen etc. They definitely judged! A combination of factors led to my bad teeth but the dentists didn’t help me and just made me more phobic.

Finally i went to see a private dentist but it’s too late for me. None of my teeth can be saved due to gum disease, receding gums and the general state of my teeth. I had to have all my top ones out at once (did it under sedation) and now have false upper teeth. I still need the bottom ones all taken out and will need false bottom ones too. Am dreading that a bit as I adjusted to the top plate ok but apparently the bottom one is more difficult. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. I wish I had gone private years ago as my current dentist is lovely and, had I gone sooner, then things probably wouldn’t have ended up like this.

It will be hard and it won’t be a pleasant experience. But you have to do it. I thought that if I just kept on brushing it would be enough but you really do need ongoing dental care. I’ve been so stupid and I really regret it.

BarbarasStripedHands · 23/02/2021 15:29

OP, I know people have said this but a good dentist really will not judge you, only want to help you.

I was terrified of the dentist - I didn't go for years and really neglected my teeth. I bit the bullet (not literally as I would probably have broken my teeth!) and found an amazing dentist. Yes, it's private and hasn't been cheap but I genuinely believe that with teeth, for the most part you get what you pay for.

If you're in the Manchester area, DM me and I'll give you the details. I would hand on heart recommend her to anyone.

ThereIsIron · 23/02/2021 15:38

OP just like previous posters have said you need to get a hold on it. A good dentist will sort it out but you also need your own good dental hygiene. A good electric brush and interdental sticks for a start. FYI I also have a black front tooth and my NHS dentist has quoted £500 for root canal followed by bleaching. I can't afford that right now and it may not even work, so don't get too hung up on that. Also a good dentail hygieneist can be fantastic - I've found them to be much better (and more gentle) at cleaing plaque, etc. than the dentists themselves.

Good luck!

BiscuitSewingTin · 23/02/2021 15:47

Until you’re ready to go to the dentist, you can whiten teeth at home a bit with peroxide:

www.healthline.com/health/hydrogen-peroxide-teeth-whitening#How-do-you-use-hydrogen-peroxide-as-a-teeth-whitener?

When you do go, be upfront that you haven’t been able to go a long time and want to sort things out. They can’t really complain about you taking the right steps to get things right.

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