HELP!!! (Dentist problem...)

[Katherine Brengle]

Okay, so a week or two ago I posted about a wisdom tooth I have coming in. At that time, it wasn't bothering me. Now it is.

It really, really, really, really is.

So I need to go to the dentist, which is cool bc I am lucky and I actually have dental insurance that will cover it.

Here is my problem:

The last time I remember seeing a dentist was probably about ten years ago...

I am 24--so 1) my parents fucked up and didn't take me, and 2) I never had insurance that would cover it until now, so I haven't gone since moving out and starting my own life.

I am really scared of going for a start, but I know it is necessary, so I accept that.

But I am mostly really embarassed... I am fairly certain that I have some very serious dental problems that haven't been dealt with. I had a couple of fillings when I was younger, and needless to say those haven't been maintained properly.

I am very sensitive about my teeth, and I am worried that the dentist I see may not be compassionate enough to "feel my pain" so-to-speak...

I am really careful about them now--I am a total teeth-cleaning nazi, but undoing years of damage is so far beyond me, there is no way my teeth are as healthy as they should be.

Anyone been in this situation? I feel stupid being ashamed, but I am. I take a lot of pride in taking good care of myself, and my teeth are a wreck (although they are pretty straight, which is a blessing directly from God or whoever).

Help! I need help... lol.

[Katherine Brengle]

1. anyone?

[Shine]

2. I haven't been in this situation, but I'm sure you're not alone.

and the dentists have certainly had cases like yours.

Ask around, get some good recommendations for somebody. It'll all work out.

As they say: "Be true to your teeth, or they will be false to you!"

:7

[Katherine Brengle]

3. I'm hoping that several years of OCD teeth cleaning and...

still being fairly young will work out in my favor here... grr...

[Shine]

8. Yes, you are still very young, my dear.

in fact, it's weird to realize how much younger than me you are. heheheh. I'm almost 20 yrs older than you! Yikes.

I know age is just a number, it's just that some days I feel older than others.... :eyes:

[Writer]

4. Don't worry. You should hear my husband's story.

My husband was born in Mexico City where there is no concept of preventative care. His parents have a weird idea that one only sees the doctor when you are very sick. Dental care? Yeah, whatever.

I finally encouraged him to see the dentist for the first time in his life a couple of years ago. He was 30 years-old at the time. I told him not to worry and to be open about his dental history. They took good care of him.

It's not your fault that you haven't been to the dentist in 10 years. There is no reason for YOU to feel ashamed. That was your parents responsibility. Now that you're an adult, with insurance, you can care for yourself and that is all you need to concern yourself with. Just go, be honest, listen to what they tell you, and get the wisdom tooth removed.

Good luck!

Writer.

[bigwillq]

7. My b/f is from Puerto Rico

and he had very poor dental hygiene as a kid because they couldn't afford it and they didn't have the resources like we do here in the states.
He has a plate---I don't know what you call it-----but he puts it in his mouth on the upper left side and it has three fake teeth on it because he lost those teeth when he was a teenager because of his poor dental health.

Since he came to the states, he goes to the dentist regularly. This story might sound a bit gross but his teeth and mouth are not gross.
My point is that I can relate to your hubby's story.


:hi:

[MissMillie]

5. I think a lot of dentists

understand how hard it is to find a job that will give dental coverage.

You could always ask around to your friends to see if their dentists are the kind of people who will help you w/o judging you.

[Katherine Brengle]

9. "ask my friends" lol

Sorry, not being an asshole, it's just that of everyone I know, I think we are the only ones with anything close to resembling insurance, lol--especially dental.

But I looked up a few in the BCBS directory, and I am going to start calling around tomorrow.

[xmas74]

6. My parents couldn't afford a dentist when I was young.

Once I had insurance I started using it. At my first visit I had to fill out the paperwork and state when was the last time I had been to a dentist. When I stated 197-, they asked if I was afraid of dentists. I explained that there was no money.

The dentist was very cool w/ it. He explained everything he was going to do before he did it. He also stated that my teeth were in extremely good shape considering that I had exactly one dental visit before my 23rd birthday.

They understand that when it comes to dental appointments or food on the table, most people will choose the food and skip the dentist. They won't treat you differently.

[miss_american_pie]

10. Oh yeah, did that

My wisdom teeth had to be taken out a month before my wedding. I hadn't been to a dentist in a decade.

Everyone there was wonderful about it. No one said anything in the least judgmental, and I only had one cavity that needed to be filled.

Good luck.

[Katherine Brengle]

11. Yeah, I am terrified that I am going to end up needing...

some kind of major dental surgery or a root canal or two... but on the flip side--if I do, I will feel a whole lot better once it is all taken care of.

[miss_american_pie]

12. I let my wisdom teeth go until I started having migraines

You really should go get it done. :hug:

[coffeenap]

13. My SO is a dentist--don't worry about being embarassed--they see

it all the time, and if they are truly dedicated to their profession, it will make the dentist feel good to know s/he helped you. Best wishes.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. Been there...

I went to a wonderful dentist on someone's recommendation. He never chastised me for not taking care of them; but he dealt with issues directly and up front. There was as little point to him pretending there weren't problems as there was for him to give me a dressing-down because of it.

Going to him is a pain-free experience. He knows how to apply a local anaesthetic so that I don't feel the novocaine needle. He also uses laughing gas, which helps a lot. For long appointments, I bring a walkman and a favorite cd.

Get referrals from people you know, then do some dentist shopping to locate the dentist who makes you feel most comfortable.

Good luck! :hug:

[Ilsa]

15. Most dentists are alot better now about not judging you for the long

lapse in visits, etc. I went in to see a dentist after moved here, and his office gave me the creeps. Bad aura or something there. Anyway, I wouldn't go back, and it took me six years to get my butt in gear and go. I didn't have any cavities (flossing); just stains and I needed an old filling replaced.

Get recommendations from friends and go. If anyone mistreats you, don't go back and be sure and tell them why. You are "the boss", and they are working for you.

(BTW, I explained to my dentist that I got myself braces when I was in my 20's and paid for them myself, no insurance, and I did it to save my teeth. He told me it was a wise investment and I probably did save my teeth.)