Talk me into going to dentist... I hate my teeth

[WaterBottle123]

40 years old, not been to dentist in 8 years. In my defence I was widowed when pregnant 7.5 years ago and self care hasn't been much of a priority.

But now I'm terrified I'm going to get yelled at and told all my teeth are falling out. My lower teeth are moving together at the front which I understand isn't massively unusual for my age especially with two kids and many years breastfeeding. Teeth are yellow, I've never had white teeth, dream of getting them whitened.

So I have crocked, yellow teeth and would love cosmetic work, but I'm scared and paranoid that I've left it too long and they'll just tell me my teeth are riddled with decay.

Any experiences? I can pay for treatment, I don't mind the pain, it's just the yelling and the fear of unknown bad news...,

@Glitterblue

Thank you, very reassuring!

I am an absolute wuss at the dentist. To the point I thought if I crashed my car on the way there I would get out of going
Wore headphones and listened to music, my dentist takes my earphone out if he needs to speak to me
If I put up my hand, he stops instantly
I had an extraction which was fine and thought well if that's the worst thing, it was ok
I go in now with no headphones, I quit smoking and I voluntarily had cosmetic work
My poor dentist was "no smoking? What do you mean you WANT dental work?"

Tell them you're nervous and worried

Good luck! Well done for making the appointment, I need to do the same myself

If it helps at all, I didn't go for TWENTY YEARS. I know that sounds awful, I actually have nothing against going to the dentist but when I was a student I couldn't really afford the charges, and then I moved a lot, and then when I settled in one place there were massive waiting lists for places, and I got completely out of the habit, and then there were weird screwups with the centralised waiting list they set up.

When I finally went (and lied to the dentist that it had only been about ten years, because it was embarrassing to admit how long had slipped by without my going)... my teeth were fine! They were like 'wow, they're great for not having been for ten years' (ha!) and put me down for only having to come back every two years. So, it might be fine!

@QueenPaw bless your dentist sounds lovely

@Persipan
OMG that's amazing. I can see some spots that look like decay but if the worst is w few fillings then I really don't mind!!!

I absolutely hate the dentist, didn’t go for ages after having children and when I eventually went it was because something had chipped off so an unavoidable emergency. The dentist was lovely and kind. Then we moved house and spent another period without a dentist and again, on finally getting my bum in a chair they couldn’t have been nicer - excellent oral hygiene, no cavities etc. I do have gum issues but it’s hereditary- some people are more susceptible than others, so I see the hygienist more frequently. Lockdown meant another almost 12 months by the time I got an appointment in November (missed one through illness Dec 2019, then lockdown happened to my March 2020 appt) and I felt the fear coming back and the desire to just Not Go. But once you’ve done the first time it’s easier to keep going back. The anticipation is the worst but you’ll be OK.

Thank you @NoSquirrels

Well I feel like a right plonker now! My teeth are fine, no fillings! My front middle tooth is apparently dead and has been for years but it looks fine and body is managing it fine!

Have quotes for straightening and whitening but soooo expensive!

Thank you so much everyone!!

@WaterBottle123

Well I feel like a right plonker now! My teeth are fine, no fillings! My front middle tooth is apparently dead and has been for years but it looks fine and body is managing it fine!

Have quotes for straightening and whitening but soooo expensive!

Thank you so much everyone!!

Well done! I was like you years ago. It took 2 visits to clean them. I go yearly to dentist and twice yearly to hygienist now. The way I see it it's about half an hour of possible discomfort getting them cleaned, out of the rest of my life. Even though it's never really painful, I still don't really like going, but am always glad when I've been. I cancelled a recent hygienist appointment recently as covid cases were so high in our area. But I'll go again soon. And that reminds me, the kids need a visit too.