I am a 20-year-old male and, due to a number of reasons including previous drug use, my teeth are in pretty bad condition. I have been off drugs for two years now and I'm gradually re-building my life. However, I really need to get my teeth sorted but because of the sheer extent of my tooth decay, I am really embarrassed about going to see a dentist. My teeth are in really bad condition for someone my age and I am terrified at being judged or humiliated by a dentist. They are so bad that they almost certainly need extracted and replaced by dentures (especially the front ones).
So I guess I'm wondering if any of you guys can give me some encouragement to go and get it done. My appointment is next week and I am literally terrified. I know that this will benefit me in the long run and that I'll finally be able to smile and speak confidently without embarassment but I'm just very, very scared about going. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
2007-10-14 14:58:42 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
Any dentist who is not an idiot would work with you to improve your dental situation without getting judgmental.
If you can afford it, some of those teeth should be implants. They would help to anchor the new dentures and eliminate problems with their getting loose or getting lost.
2007-10-14 15:04:26 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is very important for you to see a dentist because infections in the mouth are direct causes of cancer and many degenerative diseases. Additionally, Parkinson's disease is caused by free radicals, particularly the OH- free radical and drugs cause your body to be loaded with these. The affect is non-reversible and so it is very important that you get those teeth fixed.
Do NOT get amalgam fillings. The ADA ( American Dental Association ) will not let your dentist tell you how bad amalgams are for you and they will take the license away from any dentist that does this ). This is hard to believe that the ADA has this power, but it does and there are laws the ADA has forced Dentists to hand you a pamphlet that explains that Amaglams are O.K. Make sure you go to a dentist that does not put Amalgams in and uses a good product like the 3M ceramics that do not contain mercury. Amalgams are 50% liquid mercury! The University of Calgary School of Medicine has demonstrated that mercury in these fillings kills brain cells and is a precursor to Alzheimer's disease! The evidence is overwhelming, but the ADA is rejecting this and they should be held accountable for this action, but there is no oversight to them and we are stuck with this.
I was treated very badly as a child when in the dentist chair because my dentist didn't believe in giving children Novocain. Being drilled without pain killer is not fun. The new dentists have great drugs like laughing gas and pain killers that really work, so don't be afraid, just go get it done.
good luck to you
2007-10-14 15:11:49 · answer #2 · answered by onlymatch4u 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Be honest and let the hygienist know that you are finally at a point in your life where you can take proper care of your teeth. Unfortunately you feel that there is a lot of damage that needs to be fixed.
Dentists see horrible teeth more frequently then you realize. If they judge you or feel like you are being judged you probably want to find a different dentist. Look to friends to recommend someone if this turns out to be the case.
Best of luck and don't worry about it to much. You are doing the right thing taking care of your teeth.
2007-10-14 15:07:20 · answer #3 · answered by Vik 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
A dentist is like any other doctor, he's seen it all I'm sure. The scariest part about the dentist is really the bill- every dentist I've seen was a very personable guy, he's in the service industry so it's really in his benefit to have his clients like him.
I think you should be proud of yourself for getting your life on track, and this is a wonderful way to reward yourself.
Go in and introduce yourself to your dentist, and just start off on a friendly note, he's a person just like anybody else after all.
Best of luck.
2007-10-14 15:05:10 · answer #4 · answered by Rhuby 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Explain to your dentist the case before you see him/her. Tell the dentist that you were heavily into drugs in the past but have since become clean. As a result your teeth are quite decayed and you are really rather embarrassed about them seeing them but you felt like you had to go through with it for your own health and wellbeing.
I'm not a dentist or anything but TRUST me, they will have HAD to see worse teeth than yours.
2007-10-14 15:03:25 · answer #5 · answered by Ben H 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you want to save the teeth you have left you need to get into the dentist. Because of abuse and neglect (My grandfather was an abusive alcoholic) my aunt had a full set of dentures at 16 and my dad at 23, so whatever problems you have with your teeth, I'm sure the dentist has seen much worse. Believe me, it is cheaper to prevent the problems in the first place. My mom got a full set of dentures 2 years ago and paid over $5,000.
2007-10-14 15:02:51 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You will be so much healthier after you have your teeth fixed. Tooth decay can precede a number of serious medical conditions such as heart disease and systemic infections. It's not only a matter of cosmetics. Your self-esteem will also improve and you should be so proud of yourself for having kicked drug addiction.
Dentists are professionals and any reputable one will treat you with respect and courtesy. He or she, too, will commend you for stoping your drug use and improving yourself by taking care of your teeth.
You are obviously strong for having beat the addiction. If you can do that, you can face the dentist. Go in with your head held high and get the treatment you need.\
Keep up the good fight and good luck.
2007-10-14 15:07:47 · answer #7 · answered by MSsucks 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Go yourr appointment,you will feel happier for doing it,your dentist wont mind,he/she would have seen much much worse than yours,as your worried tell the dentist your nervous,Once the treatment is done you will have lovely teeth and be convident to smile again !
Good luck:) x
You can do this ! x
2007-10-15 01:30:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In order to keep the dentist from judging you or making comments that you do not want to hear you may want to come out and tell him/her the truth about why your teeth are decaying and that you are aware of the fact that you messed up. That will probably keep him from lecturing you. Anyways be proud that you are OFF THE NASTY DRUGS and that your teeth will someday be beautiful!! Who cares what anyone else thinks, you are doing the right thing and after you are finished and get your appointments set up to get your dentures you will feel so proud that you have accomplished the next step to sobriety.
2007-10-14 15:05:41 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Due with baby#1 06/08/09♥ 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The dentist won't care about how your teeth got like that. He'll probably be excited about fixing your teeth! You really don't need to be embarrised. Depending on how bad your teeth are, he may suggest vaneers.
2007-10-14 17:02:28 · answer #10 · answered by k_maxx 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋