Dental fear - biting the bullet

[MuslinSuit]

Ok so I need to sort my horrible teeth out, I know I do. I have my 6 teeth at the top front intact but almost all the others at the top have broken or rotted and lots of damage at the bottom too.

My smile used to be my best feature - I have a big wide smile and even teeth, they are just weak and dentists always told me off for eating too much sugary food/having poor dental hygiene even though I avoid sugar even in drinks, and brush twice daily.

I've just given birth to my beautiful baby boy and he's 4 weeks old and doing these lovely long gazes at me and trying to smile - I'm smiling at him and thinking what a hag I look. I have free dental care for a year so what should I do?

I haven't been to a dentist in 8 years - am 31 - and then it was a surgical extraction which I found absolutely terrifying. I was given details of a programme of treatment and just never went back. I only went that time because I was vomiting from the pain of the infected tooth.

Heelpp, what should I do? Can I have work done under general anaesthetic? I had some sort of awake sedation done last time which felt like having a nightmare should I go abroad and get the whole shebang done on a loan instead?

I want my teenage smile back

Yes you can have treatment under anaesthetic. Ask your dentist to reffer you to the hospital, they will then x-ray you and discus your options, my dentist was happy to send me to the hospital when i told him how nervous i am, the dentist at the hospital offered me the choice of having 3 teeth out whilst awake or under GA, i had them out awake in the end, the dentist was lovely and very understanding.

Do it - and I speak as someone who also has a terrible fear of the dentist and has only been three times in the last 15 years...

Every time I do pick up the courage to go (last time was only a couple of weeks ago - wisdom tooth pain) I wonder what all the fuss was about. Dentists have changed so much in the past 10 years (or seem to from my experience). I let my dentist know that I was terrified and they were very reassuring.

good luck - just go for it!! (and you know now's the best time as you'll get it all done for free)

Oh - and the other option might be to see if there is a special clinic for nervous/complex cases (we have a community dentist here where they'll do specialist treatment/deal with nervous patients etc)

My hubbies the same he has an appointment tomorrow to have his next stage of his smile being replaced. It's taken me 7 years of nagging and a decent dentist who told it as it is. Think all dentists have a plan for nervous people. Maybe have a look for a nlp or relaxation cd to guide you through. As dentist said to him if he doesn't sort it out now they will have to take big chunks of bone out from his jaw as all the crap has spread!!! Don't forget a dirty mouth is a dirty body and good chances of heart disease and cancers when the bacteria spreads....message of doom!! You can do it!!

I haven't found a hospital in the UK where I can refer patients for fillings Unser general anaesthetic. Extractions yes but nothing else unless you have special needs.

Sedation is widely practised, is safe and effective and works very well for dental phobics. First step: find a dentist you trust. Everything else will follow.

Thanks for supportive posts. All I want is a lovely Hollywood smile. I'm not a looker really but my smile always got compliments - now I try to smile with my mouth closed and look silly!

I will look into NHS dentists locally - I've moved recently and don't know anyone to get recommendations, any tips for finding a good one who specialises in nervous patients and will provide sedation?

So silly I know, if I can survive a c-section surely I can do this!