I'm having a dental implant next week and I'm really frightened. I'm also feeling very upset about the whole thing.

Nobody noticed I wasn't brushing my teeth properly when I was a kid. And then dentists assumed I was, and didn't go through it with me. I thought I was, I really did, until recently when a dentist finally figured out that I didn't know some basic stuff. Like brushing your gums as well as your teeth.

My dentist was kind and patient and didn't laugh at me. I just feel so mad and sad that I could have better teeth if I had known. I'm in my 30s and have a postgrad degree and my own freelance business but I didn't know how to brush my teeth properly, it seems so pathetic.

I had to have a molar out and the implant is to fill a huge gap. I have one other smaller gap on top and a few fillings. My dentist says it's really not that bad, the teeth I have are really okay, but I don't feel like they are.

And no matter how hard I try to follow all his instructions and brush thoroughly, floss etc, I still have gingivitis, and I'm scared he won't do the operation, and I will be stuck with the gap.

My dad gave me money for the implant. It doesn't make up for anything.

Sorry, just needed to get this out.