Pretty much as the title states, I feel I've been in denial about my gum disease, and now it's time to face up to it. But I'm scared and ashamed.
My dental hygiene was never good as a child - I remember hating the sound / feel of brushing my teeth and my parents sometimes having to hold my nose so I would open my mouth, or putting soap on my toothbrush to see if I had used it. Bad habits continued into my teens, lax dental hygiene alongside smoking and a high sugar diet meant that I had my share of fillings. As soon as I moved out age 17 the regular dentist trips stopped and I only ever went in an emergency. The last time I went to the dentist was about 5 years ago (I'm now 29). I don't smoke anymore and my diet has improved, but I am embarrassed to say that I am still haphazard with dental hygiene. I do clean my teeth twice daily but I don't floss or use mouthwash on a regular basis.
I can see that my gums have started to recede. They have bled every time when cleaning them for the past 2 years or so, and on and off before that. I have a hole near the back of my mouth when part of a filling fell out last year and I never did anything about it.
I had trigeminal neuralgia a number of years ago, thought to be triggered by dental work. This was the most excruciating pain I have ever experienced and I live in fear of it returning. This adds to the worry about going back to the dentist, because I would undoubtedly need a lot of work.
What triggered this post was a bit of tooth falling out this evening, and it looked awful. Grey, crumbly. I'm guessing it's dead. Luckily it was at the back of my mouth again. There's no pain yet but I think there will be soon as there's a whacking great hole.
I guess I'm writing this in order to gather all my thoughts together, to really show myself that I must get this sorted. I have a baby now and I'm no good example to her.
I'm just terrified of going to the dentist and so so ashamed.
Has anyone here been in this position?