Personal hygiene - dental - anxiety

[Chester47]

I need support .
My teenage son stopped cleaning his teeth, showering etc . Age 14
We tried rewards sanctions etc - he just didn’t care . He had a bad experience at the dentist and developed anxiety surrounding appts and treatment . Age 16
This wasn’t enough to make him clean his teeth . Talked to him about fillings, pain etc . Didn’t have an impact on him .
He was making good progress under a specialist dentists but appts stopped when covid began - he’s now turned 18.
Now he’s knocked a tooth causing a hole in his back tooth . He’s refusing to do anything about it .
Didn’t clean his teeth so I could have a look .
I’ve filled it with a dental repair kit but he needs to see a dentist .
I physically can’t make him - technically he’s an adult and he’ll have to deal with a dentist . I’m phoning dentist today to see if there any chance of seeing a dentist with experience of this .
Has anyone else’s child experienced this ?
Can anyone offer me support please ?

No idea on this one sorry. Is there a Dentist in your area that deals with adults with a fear of dental treatment?

OP I think this is a MH issue and that your ds needs some kind of help. Can you get him into the GP for an emergency appt? if his teeth continue to crumble and rot he will be left not only in pain but facially disfigured too . I think you ought to try and get him referred.

That sounds so difficult to deal with. Dentists that specialise in people who are frightened sounds good. Also talking to him as an adult on how this will impact him greatly in the future - gum disease, teeth will loosen, POSs root canals. Good strong healthy teeth and good breath will help him in his relationships in the future too..
But definitely dentists specialising in treating the fearful sounds like a great idea.

I'm sure bad teeth can lead to heart disease too.

Thank you for your posts.
I really have tried everything . I'm hoping this is a wake up call for him .
He's been honest with me and said he really doesn't know why he doesn't brush - he says he just honestly forgets .
The temporary repair I did is holding and he is brushing his teeth ! 🤦🏼‍♀️
Kids 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Glad he's brushing now. How's his showering? Did he ever get over not showering?

I'm tackling one battle at a time . Yes he's showering at the moment .
He was becoming a sloth !
Dentist cue is 50 plus for emergency dentist . Phoning our own dentist tomorrow and the specialist dentist .
He's turned 18 over the last year- I know that the specialist dentist has been seeing children for procedures but I'm not sure if he's been transferred to an adult clinic . Going to chase it all up tomorrow .
Again thank you for your support - it's made me feel much better ☺️☺️☺️