I've never been to the dentist and desperately need to

[PlaymobilPirate]

My teeth are a mess and I'm so ashamed.

My parents never took me and I just never went as an adult.
I have plaque all down the sides, I'm missing a whole tooth on each side at the back of my bottom set
My mouth has been sore and I finally looked tonight and one of my bottom teeth near the front is obviously infected and has a horrible yellow / grey area round it at the gum

I sucked my thumb right into adulthood so my palate is a really odd misshapen mess too.

I take ds religiously and he has an appointment on monday morning. I desperately want to ask if I can register but I'm so embarrassed. I'm 41. How can I get past this?

Awesome! That's so good that you've been and it was okay, and it sounds as though there isn't too much long-term damage either. Well done, OP.

Well done OP.

@FAQs Where did you get the £12k figure from? You might not quality for free NHS treatment but normal NHS costs are a fraction of that

Whoop! Very well-done, OP. I am really, really happy for you

That is brilliant news! It sounds like you don't have much wrong, well done to you. Keep up with the appointments now, and it will just get easier and easier.

My fear of the dentist is the bill at the end more than anything else

Well done op! Keep going now!

Well done. My dh was in your position before we married. Had the same experience as you. Fantastic.

Well done Pirate from another recovered dentalphobe.

FAQs NHS dental treatment is capped (top band is currently just under £270), it won't cost anywhere close to that.

Fantastic, well done!

(I need more work than that and I go regularly)

Amazing! I bet you feel so much better now it's done. I was the same. Neglectful parents so was rarely taken as a child and by the time I got to my mid twenties, I was terrified. I finally plucked up the courage at 25 and had to get three teeth removed and 2 fillings but I go religiously for my scrape and polish every 6 months now and have had no further problems. I felt so ashamed when I went but I knew they would have seen worse than my teeth and they didn't judge me at all. Finding a good dentist who is great with nervous patients is the key.

You should buy some inter dentine brushes as well as brushing. I hate going to the dentist but adding inter dentine brushing to my normal routine has made an enormous difference to plaque build up in between appointments. Much easier than flossing. You can buy packs of 30 from boots for £4.

That's amazing, OP, really pleased it went so well and that there doesn't seem to be any major issues.

@PlaymobilPirate I sucked my thumb well into adulthood too, glad not be be alone... Anyway I've been to the dentist regularly - my first was a drunk who though thumb sucking cute so by time I saw a more usual dentist my palate was also deformed... Anyway please don't worry, I've seen loads of dentists over the years because I've moved a lot, and the vast majority have been kind about the mess I made. I was also bulimic for a long time which did my teeth no good at all!!! Anyway it will be so much better than you think and the results will be worth it!

Managed to miss your update, so pleased for you and congrats for being brave!

Well done OP! I was similar to you, I felt so ashamed when I finally went to the dentist, I really don't mind it now. An important part of their job is kindness, in my view.

Fair play to you for going. Next time won't be near as bad now that you know it's nothing to be scared of. You didn't do it til now because your parents had made it out as something to be afraid of. It's a shame but at least you haven't instilled that same fear in your own child, so that's something to be proud about.