[bookgirl14]

I'm ashamed of my teeth. Its been years since I've been to the dentist, I'm too embarrassed to say how long its been, but I need to go. I'm tired of always being instantly afraid and self conscious whenever the subject comes up. My teeth don't hurt but they are really stained and I've been told that I grind my teeth badly when I'm asleep.

I don't remember bad memories of the dentist because I don't have any memories of going to the dentist. The reason I'm scared is that I'm afraid I will be judged by the state of my teeth and I have a fear of the dentist and nurses yelling at me for not taking care of them. I have a history of anxiety and depression and when I've struggled, I do not take care of myself. I am starting to get caught up and take care of myself now that my mental health is better but my teeth are severely neglected. I probably do need a form of sedation dentistry just to get in the office let alone let them work on my teeth. I have a history of freaking out and panicking when needles and unfamiliar treatments are involved especially when pain is involved. I am afraid of being mocked and told to grow up if I start crying and panicking. This has happened in the past with nurses.

I don't have dental insurance so I probably won't be able to get all of the work that I probably need all at once. It will probably have to spaced out over years. But I need to get in and at least get my teeth cleaned. Does anyone know if I would be able to have my therapist or primary doctor call in a benzo before an appointment? I looked up the costs for sedation dentistry and they are really steep but if I could get the same medicine called in, would there be any chance of it being cheaper so that I could get more work done? I do plan on asking my therapist about if I would be a good candidate for sedation dentistry next time I see her but I feel like I need to talk about my horrid mouth to help convince myself that I am not horrible.

(((((bookgirl14))))))

[RisuNeko]

I have a huge fear of the dentist too. The only bad experiences I've had are being told that I had over 20 cavities at once (I went to a different dentist after that and they said I actually had 3.) But I haven't been to the dentist in years either out of fear of what they're going to tell me and I have an irrational fear that they're going to pull all my teeth and make me wear dentures. I'd almost rather have dentures so I don't have to go to the dentist anymore. I've tried laughing gas (I forgot the technical name) and that helps when I'm getting a cavity filled only if they really crank it up, but it costs like 75$ a pop and I'm poor. I have access to a dentist office that my insurance covers right in the same building as my doctor, therapist and psychiatrist, but I haven't been able to bring myself to make an appointment. I also had a lot of metal fillings done in the past that were really poorly done and have had to be redone in the last 8 years or so. I feel like the dental field is a crap shoot.

You are not alone. Dentists are scary as ****.

[bookgirl14]

I have the same fear that I'm going to be told that my teeth can't be saved. For a couple of years, I didn't care if I had to wear dentures eventually because it was one less thing that I would have to take care of. But now I don't want to wear dentures at the age of 23.

I've looked into getting dental insurance but I'm not sure since I am broke. I only recently returned to work 5 months ago and I'm almost caught up on my therapy bills. I'm tired of hiding my smile especially at work.

I told my brother that I'm going to make an appointment and I started shaking and crying just talking about it. I think I'm going to call a dental office first thing in the morning and beg to have a consultation ASAP. While I'm not in pain and I don't think I have any broken teeth, I need to be seen and reassured by the dentist that they can improve my teeth so I can obsess a little less and calm down. Klonopin is my best friend right now.

[FernandoMPutman]

Sedation dentistry also known as Sleep Dentistry, is all about to provide a relaxing and agitation-free experience for the patients undergoing any dental treatment. I think it is the best way of dental treatment for adults and children too. Even i was too under root canal treatment 6 months ago and i had a very serious dental phobia. Fear of excessive pain while seeing the scary dental equipments was the only reason. But i have really undergone the root canal therapy without any pain as i was given sedation during the treatment. At last i have actually come out of my phobia.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I'm terrified of the dentist. I have panic attacks!

You're not alone.

[eeyorestail]

Like others have said, you're not alone!

A few years after I graduated college I went to the dentist for the first time in about 8 years. I did not have dental insurance and I had been taking horrible care of my teeth so I was quite scared of both the appointment and the bill that would follow. The appointment was nerve-wracking and there was QUITE some sticker shock when I saw how much the work I needed done would cost. But like you said, you don't have to get all the work done at once. I got mine done gradually and it was much easier in terms of my anxiety and my finances.

Just be up front with them about your fears. It's a huge hurdle to jump, but once you do it gets so much easier. I am now back to seeing the dentist 2x a year and the appointments are nowhere near as difficult as before. Of course, it also helps that I am now taking better care of my teeth.

You can do this!

[Turtlesoup]

Wow I really thought I was pretty alone with this fear but apparently not. I have been wanting to talk to my T about this but have not had the courage yet to do so. Reading these replies does make me feel a bit better about it & I'm going to try to bring this up soon. Thanks for this topic take care all.

[RisuNeko]

I have met a lot of otherwise normal people who have a great fear of the dentist. The dentist is just scary!

[Angelique67]

I am with you! I also have neglected my teeth. I'm a lot older though but I was told a couple of years ago my teeth couldn't be saved. I just can't get the nerve up to go in and face "that"! Also, I've been mocked by nurses too, but I doubt it would happen in a dentist office. When I used to go to dentists when younger I didn't like it but it wasn't so awful. I would urge you to go. You have many years left with your teeth! Lots of hugs!

[Fuzzybear]