Help! Dentist. I feel stupid.

[HydrangeaBush]

I think I have an infection. I have really bad pain from an implant site that kept me up at night and again when the drugs wore off an hour ago

Ibuprofen and paracetamol are reducing the pain.

I know I need to see my dentist BUT

Its entirely my fault. I am ND and have issues around cleaning and I know it's self inflicted.

I'm so embarrassed. I am terrified of dentists and especially as I've failed.

I'm still hiding in bed 😬.

Can someone talk me down? I'm really scared of them being critical - which they have every right to be.

Ring now and get an emergency appointment. You can do this.

At the start of the appointment give the dentist a piece of paper explaining that your ND and what’s happening. This isn’t your ‘fault’.

As a side note have you tried oranurse toothpaste? It doesn’t have a flavour and doesn’t foam. There are also good mouth washes which are some times used by people who can’t brush their teeth.

You can do it.
If you can explain to the dentist that you are very anxious and neurodiverse. I sincerely hope you will be met with kindness.
In the meantime you could try a salt water rinse.
You can do it.

I feel so stupid.

It doesn't hurt as much now but I know that's the drugs. I've been googling if I cna make it go away myself but I suspect I've lost tissue around the implant.

I wish I could function properly

Totally sympathise OP.

I've got a dentist's appointment in just over an hour and I'm sat here willing my self to go. I feel paralysed with dread. I've literally spent the whole weekend worrying about it and I'm not even in pain. But I know I have to make myself keep the appointment.

You can do it OP.

Just think of how much better you will feel once the problem is sorted and the pain goes away.

Tbf it's partially the dentists fault if they knew you had struggles around cleaning. Only certain people qualify for implants and if they knew you struggle with cleaning your teeth, you don't qualify. He shouldn't have given you one.
Please call now for an emergency appointment and follow up with the treatment plan.

I've made it. It's in an hour and I've just cried on the phone to the receptionist.

I'm such a mess.

I'm worried the implant will need to come out and it's all my fault.

And I hate being judged and I don't want to go somewhere and be told it's me (even though I know it is. It makes no sense I know)

Gosh I'm in a proper state.

I'm wfh today and I can catch up. I'm just keeping and eye on emails and will have to do work later.

@Rollonsummerplease good luck with your appointment!

I agree with the first poster, if you can't tell the dentist write a note. You could even give it to the receptionist in advance if that is easier.

When you say you have issues what does than mean? If you can't manage the sensation, taste etc they may have suggestions as to things that might make it easier for you.

Just seen you've got an appointment. Well done.

I had to go to the dentist last week as an emergency for an infection. My own fault because I knew the tooth had broken ages ago but it didn’t hurt, I wasn’t registered so I left it.

They were absolutely lovely to me OP. Antibiotics, tooth removed and re-registered with them. I promise they won’t judge you or be horrible, they see this kind of thing day in and day out.

I’m so pleased you’re getting seen, toothache is the worst x

Please don't worry. I joined a local dentist after having not been to the dentist for over 15 years. I too was worried that I was going to get told off.

After the event I almost got the feeling that they enjoyed it! It made their day more interesting that the boring quick check up and polishes!

They didn't mention once about the time it had been and I didn't feel guilty.

I do now go every 6 months and while they never told me off when I first joined, they do give compliments on my teeth brushing skills now, which makes me feel like a kid being given house points again! 😂

Hope your appointment goes OK.

Write a note that says;

I am really anxious about this appointment.
I am scared I have caused this by not cleaning properly and that you will judge me for that.
I am worried about having to have the implant taken out.

If it would help to have someone hold your hand during the examination then add that to the list.

Hand the paper to the receptionist and they'll take it from there.

IME the dental nurses have see it all before and are very willing to hold your hand, explain things in less technical detail etc etc. Don't be afraid to tell them how you feel.

Thankyou. Dentist was lovely and the lovely receptionist was so kind to me when I arrived - and afterwards!!

Apparently my implant is fine and clean (?!)
They did an x ray and theres a. Lot of bone wastage but that was all to be expected with the implant being so old.

However the drugs I last took are wearing ond it's agony.

She said it could be sinus pain (I have no cold or anything) so got some sinus spray.

Also could be the mechano in my jaw maybe but she said I'd need to go back to the hospital for that....

I don't know what on earth it is now as it feels like intense "toothache" and hurts so much when the drugs wear off. It's managable with the ibuprofen /paracetamol though.

I have no idea what it could be and if it will go away or what really to do next 😬.

She said there was no infection though.

I have a denture but it's not that as I've had that out while at home. And it was sudden onset.

Now the drugs are wearing off it does help if I put pressure on the bone near the implant 😬. I can't believe it's not infected but it was the head dentist!

I've been in tears with the pain. Just taken next ibuprofen and gone to lie down. I don't know what to do.

So sorry you've not had any answers. Ask for a referral to the dental hospital xx

I've just rung and left a message. I know my consultant I had is no longer there. I think the message answerphone as the surgeon rather than restorative dentist but not sure. Hopefully she will ring me back tomorrow.

It is SO painful I can't concentrate.

As she mentioned sinus it's worth a trip to GP if you can get an appointment.

I haven't got any cold symptoms at all though. I've just taken cocodomal so I can still feel the throbbing but am more chill about it.

I can ring go tomorrow. I think it might be the metal in my jaw but all that was done years ago. It so feels like if I could rip the implant out it would all go away but she said it was okay? Putting pressure on the gum around it relieves it a bit.

I feel like I'm going nuts.