[direkat]

Does anyone else with depression issues have this issue? I have neglected going to the dentist for so long that I think my wisdom tooth (the one I have left) is getting impacted, one of my molars has a gaping hole, and another one is so chipped it's cutting my tongue I'm practically living on Excedrin until I can make/get to an appointment.

Coming to terms with the fact that I've neglected myself to this degree makes me really sad now that I have a bit more respect for myself. Also, I'm in a lot of pain lol

I'm really not looking forward to the lectures though. Last time I went for an even worse hole and I explained to them I had depression and anxiety problems, and the nurse was really nice about it. The dentist was a real jerk though.

People don't seem to have a lot of compassion in general these days

Don't neglect yourself you are too precious. Positive vibes for me and my freaking mangled teeth please lol this pain is really getting to me.

[splitimage]

I'm sorry you're in so much pain. Please please make an appointment with the dentist and go in soon. You'll feel much better once it's out of the way.

I can relate to not going though. I went 10 years without going to the dentist, because I was drinking and just didn't care. I needed ton of work done.

Then recently I haven't been able to go because I didn't have insurance and couldn't afford it. Well I just got basic dental coverage, and so went for the first time in 2.5 years. I was lucky, no cavities and even the cleaning wasn't that bad.

Good luck with making the appointment and going in.

splitimage

As far as doctors and even the dentist? Yes, I definitely have anxiety issues with going to the dentist.

First, the orthodontist who put braces on my teeth exacerbated my lower jaw misalignment that I can never get fixed.

Or, the oral surgeon who pulled my wisdom teeth did such a hack job, that I have chronic bacterial infections that require antibiotics every few months for ten days. I was told by a dentist that I should get a root canal, but I refused to follow through after I read a lot of literature about how harmful root canals are.

The only dental procedure that I'm willing to go through with is a dental debridement to remove the accumulation of plague and calculus on my lower gums and teeth that x-rays show is so bad I could eventually lose my teeth if I don't get it all removed now. It's a 2-step procedure (1st step is a sonic water drill is used to remove surface plague and calculus; 2nd step is a couple weeks later where a dental scraper tool used for cleanings, is used to scrape out the excess plague and calculus located between teeth and underneath gum tissue).

I'm so terrified by this procedure, I asked to be sedated for both steps, which my dentist needs to get permission to do. There's a lot I'm willing to lose in life, but teeth I want to keep.

I don't have any lectures for you about why you should go to the dentist. I just wanted to share my own story of why I have anxiety related to the dentist, to illustrate how normal that type of anxiety is. After all, the mouth is a very vulnerable area of our body and when dentists get in there and start poking around it's nerve wracking, at least for me. Whatever you decide to do about your dental situation, good luck. Have faith in yourself that you will make the right decision.

[Wild Coyote]

I have not followed through well for a few years.
I am now paying a heavy price.

When severely depressed, it seems impossible to follow through.


WC

[Tucson]

I agree. I have had to pull two teeth over this. I could not afford the dental work like crowns.

[bluecats]

Huge dental issues here, had a recent appointment where 8 different teeth needed work.
When you don't even eat somedays brushing your teeth is also skipped. Throw in acid erosion from soda and bruxism(grinding teeth) and your teeth will get mangled pretty badly.

Some of them we're small cavities but you would probably not find a tooth that hasn't been worked on because of all the grinding.

[Wild Coyote]

I clench and grind, too. I have cracked many teeth.


WC

[Raindropvampire]

It's amazing how time slips by when you are depressed. I just recently went to the dentist after not going for 24 years. I hope your experience was/will be as good as mine. The dentist and his assistant were very understanding and didn't make me feel bad at all.

I hope you get it taken care of soon. I had an ER doc tell my hubby that mouth/tooth pain was some of the worst pain there is.