Too embarrassed and scared to go to the dentist

[Amembarrassedscared]

I’m honestly really embarrassed even posting this.
I’ve had a cracked tooth at the back of my mouth for a few years now (I know I should have dealt with it sooner but I’ve been burying my head in the sand). Recently part of it has broken off and I’ve started getting pain on and off.
What’s worrying me is the pain sometimes spreads up towards my nostril/side of my nose, especially when I sit down. It’s not constant agony but it definitely feels like it’s getting worse.
I’m pretty sure it’ll need extracting, but I’m really scared of the dentist and also short on money, which is why I’ve kept putting it off.
Now I’m also worried the tooth next to it might be affected too, and I’m panicking about ending up with gaps and it looking awful.
I know I probably sound stupid for leaving it this long, I just feel really embarrassed about the whole thing.
Has anyone had similar?
Please be kind

This
Please don't feel embarrassed
I hadn't visited a dentist for a long time.
No one made me feel bad or uncomfortable in any way at all.
You are not alone OP, I promise you

Honestly, they won't judge you.

But can I just say I know exactly how you feel, and you aren't alone. Despite being a proper functioning adult in all other respects, I haven't been to the dentist in 3 years.

One of my teeth has crumbled at the back (last summer) and I haven't been able to force myself to go because I know it will have to come out. Currently waiting for the pain to get so bad that I have to.

As a child I had to get a lot of fillings, and was not treated properly for grinding my teeth. My dentist was a dick and often caused me a lot of pain (despite saying it was 'impossible' for it to hurt and ignoring my raised hand) and I quickly developed a phobia. My current dentist is so lovely, but I still struggle.

Maybe phone the emergency NHS dentist line. They will pull it if it needs it. They only do emergency work . I had my wisdom pulled as it was hurting.

Don’t ignore it - get it sorted . I did through a mixture of burying my head in the sand , distracted by caring for others through Covid and a sort of laziness and the outcome was not good . My NHS dentist referred me a decade earlier to the NHS restorative dentistry when the warning light came on and the dentist wasn’t exactly judgemental just a bit factual but I was unlucky they were not sympathetic either . I’m now remedying through private means buba complete change of financial circumstances the money could have been better spent elsewhere and I should have listened at the time when I had the opportunity . My private peridontist is lovely & highly skilled . But he should be for what I am paying . Ironically some of the very invasive surgery I’ve had I’ve just zoned out - audio book and oral sedation . Odd sensation and I try not to think about what exactly is being done !!

So glad to read your update and you phoned and arranged an appointment. Hope it went well and you have a treatment plan is in place. 🥰

If it's a while since you've been to the dentist OP I think you'll be really surprised and happy about how much dental treatment has moved on.

I recently had a big chunk of tooth fall off just like you. My tooth had been mostly filling and that came out with the side of my tooth. I thought the tooth was a goner but no. The injection was painless, I didn't feel a thing and they managed to fix my tooth completely. Not only that but the old filling was silver and I was always conscious of it and the new one is white. I'm so chuffed with the outcome that I wish my tooth had collapsed earlier.

I didn't even have that 'dead face' feeling you used to have. Honestly go, it'll be fine and you'll be so relieved afterwards.