Any dentists here?

[Terrifiedofthedentist]

I’d like your opinion on something and please be honest

do you judge patients about the state of their teeth?

I’m so self conscious about mine, they’re terrible. I’ve had a lot of work done, and there always seems to be something. Now it’s over brushing that’s caused me maybe to need a root treatment and I feel so ashamed. i really limit my sugar, no soft drinks, no sugar in drinks, and only the odd biscuit. I do eat fruit though.

basically my issues come from not having gone to the dentist since primary school and then going again after uni when I could pay for it. I was just never taken by my parents after primary and it just never dawned on me to book my own appointments, I thought since I had no pain it was fine. I was also really afraid as my mother used to tell me they take your teeth for no reason and will damage your good teeth to cause problems so you have to go back. All in all didn’t dawn on me and I was and still am terrified and deeply deeply ashamed.

do you judge your patients for their teeth, honestly? Every time I have to go I’m on the verge of tears from worrying about it

I’m not a dentist but didn’t want to read and run! I’ve had bad experiences where I’ve felt quite judged from the dentist because I’ve also struggled massively with my teeth from mental health issues and chronic illnesses, until I found my current dentist who is honestly so lovely and reassured me that it wasn’t my fault. I would hope that all dentists would be like that as they as there to help and create a positive experience for you - not judge you, make you feel worse and then avoid going even more. Sending you hugs! X

Thank you!

my dentist is really lovely and said the same it’s not my fault but it’s hurt my self esteem so much, I feel hideous and a state. It doesn’t help that she is drop dead gorgeous either

I was a dental nurse in both NHS and private practice plus also in a specialist maxillofacial surgery unit where we performed full general anaesthetics. I can promise you that your teeth will be nowhere near the worst they will have seen. Even a dentist I worked with that was a bit of a prick wasn’t judgemental, he was a womaniser though! Your issue is your quite frankly mental Mother who has crushed your self esteem over your teeth. I mean I have had a lot of work done because I had a bloody awful accident when I was a kid that smashed my front teeth in. I have never ever worried I will be judged.

If your Mother went on about your teeth I’m wondering what else she banged on about. If you have spare cash it may be worth having therapy to unpick what she has done to your head.

The only time dentists I worked with were annoyed with people was if they didn’t pay.

No honestly they’re really bad, I’ve had to have 2 implants, they must look at me like ugh you’re so young you’ll be toothless by the time you’re 50.

Please don’t worry about it 🙂 Book your dental treatment in and keep up with your check ups.

Oh I do now but every time there is something new, I feel like when they see me and look at my notes they must judge me so much

I went through a time when I constantly had problems with my teeth despite looking after them and not missing an appointment.

I was back at my dentist recently crying with what ended up being a tooth infection in a tooth that had already had treatment and he said that these things can happen.

I think some of us are unlucky with our teeth but they aren’t there to judge.

If you feel a dentist is judging you I’d get a different dentist but honestly they will be glad you come and will be really pleased if you tell them how worried you are and go back again because you trust them. I’m a dentist who works in a service where children have multiple extractions under GA and come back more again or all their siblings have been through the same and I never judge parents. It’s not ideal and at a population level you want it to change but I don’t see what other challenges a family have so how could I judge them?

Finally I have had to have extensive dental treatment due to erosion and I was mortified trying to work up the courage to go but of course the dentist was lovely and managed not to tell me off too much for my self-inflicted issues (far too many fizzy drinks and I definitely should know better!). Please please don’t be worrying about it!

One of the most satisfying things in the job , as a dentist, is to go with a nervous/ phobic, avoidant patient through a journey from poor dental health to great dental health. It gives enormous satisfaction to see the improvement in health and confidence and looks. It really is a highlight of the job when a patient gets onboard with oral care and turns things around. Don’t worry.

I'm late to this thread & i hope that you have been ok since your post in October.
I've been fastidious with my cleaning since gum disease was picked up over 20 years ago.
It's been tough & the same regime has to be repeated every single night to get the best results.

I always feel that I'm being judged, but in reality I honestly don't think they are judging me.
I follow their instructions to the letter, so in that respect I'm doing my best & I guess that is all they want from me.

late to this too. I’m a dentist - I never, ever judge a patient on their teeth or appearance.
Not everyone is aware of risks from diet, poor oral hygiene, poor brushing technique. Genetics and developmental defects also play a part and you can’t alter those. We’re there to educate and help patients, not judge them on the status of their oral health.
(We do however, judge those patients with a bad attitude or those who speak to us/reception staff like shit!)

@Casuallydressed that's an interesting reply. Manners cost nothing, but if you have them they're invaluable.
I have a dentist, periodontist & hygienist......so you can imagine how invested I am in my dental regime.
I'm all in!
And it seems to be working, my mouth has been stable for many years.
Do I look forward to the same cleaning palaver every night? no.
However, I know it's for life, so I just get on with it.
Merry Christmas. ⛄ 🎁 ⛄