Too embaressed to go to the dentist but really need to go

[allgumwrong]

Have always been petrified of dentists since i was small mainly because of bad experiences or that i always needed work doing, which dates back to the fact that i had to get my baby teeth taken out when i was 2 as my mother had been giving me hot ribena for breakfast every motning and it nuked my teeth.
i have always had a really sweet tooth and the kind of mother that wasn't very good at making sure i brushed regularly, but always got me lots of sweets.
i have now not been to a dentist in over 5 years and really need to go, my teeth are literally crumbling and i'm getting pain, dodgy lumps etc.
I have however got to the stage where i am too mortified and ashamed to go to a dentist as i thnk they will be too disgusted, so i keep putting it off and my teeth get worse.
Does anyoneknow how much it takes to put off a dentist or are they to professional to let on.
I really need the courage to get this sorted

Please go. You will suffer terribly if you don't. IME, if you tell dentist how frightened you are and thats why you haven't been, they will have a lot of sympathy for you and be very gentle.

Go.

You can do it! You can!

If you look in the Yellow Pages there are probably dentists loisted who say that they are happy to take "nervous patients". If the worst comes to the worst you could be sedated before you were treated if you needed stuff done that totally freaked you out.

If you need any more motivation, just think about if you don't go...take control, be strong even if you don't feel it and post on here - we'll be your cheerleaders!

allgumwrong - you must go.
Am positive yours will not be the worst case they have seen and they are usually sympathetic.
Good luck at getting an appointment soon

The ones I've been to would definitely not let on- they are usually understanding.
I had this last year- first visit in years. I needed 11 fillings. It really wasn't too bad, and well worth it. You'll feel much better- and be healthier generally, too.
Give yourself the kick up the ass and the best of luck.

Get a recommendation for a good local dentist, give them a ring and have a chat with them. It will help if you can explain beforehand what state your teeth are in and the reasons behind that first, so when you go into the surgery it won't be so daunting for you. Please don't be ashamed. A lot of people weren't taught properly how to care for their teeth when they were children and are paying the price now - your dentist will have seen much, much worse. At least if you brave it now you can get your teeth sorted before you get any really nasty problems. Good luck.

they will have seen it all, so don't worry. i went yesterday and had a filling replaced. yes i was nervous. the only sore part was the injection. then i just closed my eyes and thought of something else. it only took 15mins for them to drill out the old filling, put in the new one, clean and check my other teeth.

you will feel a lot better after you go, especially as you are having pain now.

also take MamaG's advice and tell them you are nervous, they can reassure you and let you know what they're doing at each stage.

i was the same as u and i did it,and believe me if i can do it, anyone can

Thanks all, am now pscyhing myself up to make the call on Monday and get this sorted once and for all. I've had hypnotherapy in the past and whilst it helps me relax its the sound and vibration of the drill that really unnerves me and there is also an image in my head of the dentist looking inside my mouth and then cracking up at the work he has to do then giving me a row for letting it all get into such a state.
Have been reading the social anxiety thread and its definitley had an impact on me conversing with new people as I alwys imagine them looking at my teeth, and judging my entire personality and social standing from there.
Also apologies for atrocious grammar and spelling on lst post, was feeding baby and couldn't use shift key and type with one hand.

he wont judge u honest, at least not verbally anyway. I know exactly where u are coming from when u feel people judge u by your teeth and u are probably right to be honest, harsh i know, but true, i know coz ive been there. I went and had the work done after avoiding it for 7 years, i couldnt even drive past the dentist without having a panic attack, but i went i did it and now have beautiful teeth and believe me they where in a bad state to start with as id had a road accident when i was 12 and never properly got them sorted till now, i can honestly say the pain is 99% non exsistent, they do things so differently now and i really wish i had gone years ago, my teeth have gone from being my most hated part of me to my favourite, its a great feeling, a feeling that u will have once u make that appointment if u need anyone to talk to about any fears please dont hesitate to shout for me.

I work for a dentist and I can honestly say that we have patients with all sorts of teeth..some who have to have all teeth extracted..and nothing puts off the dentist and I have never once heard any of the dentists I work for say anything derogatory about any of their patients' teeth!

I had a fear of the dentist too and hadn't been for years. I was also very self conscious about people looking at my teeth but I thought to myself if I can give birth then I can go to the dentist.Had a few fillings and several roots removed as teeth at the back had crumbled. I told them I was very nervous on my first visit and now have had all my teeth sorted and it makes such a difference. i am a different person.Please go-it will not be as bad as you expect.