So I'm 29 and I haven't been to the dentist in years, I never could afford it and I did my best to take care of my teeth as I could with the normal brushing flossing rinsing. But I'm so so so nervous about this. I know I have a 2 wisdom teeth that are just awful. And I don't know about the rest. I'm petrified. And I'm so afraid of any news they tell me, I have nightmares about my teeth falling out and I think I may keel over. I smoked for 6 years (I've been not for 2, I quit almost two years ago!) and I've ha a pregnancy which can be rough on your teeth. I don't think my grill look awful I'm just scared of what's underlying that you can't see.

I know how you feel! I haven't been to the dentist in about 6 years or so. I don't even remember the last time I went to the dentist, honestly. My mom made an appointment for me on the 15th of this month and I'm freaking out a bit. My teeth look pretty good and I don't really have pain, just sensitivity to hot/cold. I'm afraid I'll need fillings or some sort of work and they're going to put a shot in my mouth. >.>

I'm not scared of procedures I'm just scared of what they could say. I have yoga to go to after this to hopefully clear my head from all the news. Ugh!! Scared.

I hadn't been to the dentist in 6 years. I went in about a month and a half ago. The verdict? 12 cavities. yes, TWELVE. Luckily there was only one that he was really concerned about. I got it, and 2 teeth next to it fixed. Going to do it in increments and really start to crack down on my oral hygiene. I was never a flosser, and still am not really a fan. But I've been disciplining myself. To be honest, I painted myself a worse picture then reality; thought I'd need a root canal. Thats the whole reason I went in. Luckily I don't AND I can keep all my wisdom teeth.

Really though, you're going in and getting it done. Whether you have nothing or a lot of issues, you've taken care of it. Don't worry.

I have had more dental work done than anyone I know or you know.

I blow my $3500 insurance coverage on work every year. I have crowns, bridges and now implants.

What I can tell you, is that if you need serious treatment you won't need a dentist to tell you that. You will already know and feel it.

Good luck.

Wisdom teeth may have to come out but extractions are the cheapest dental procedure you can get done. It can be painful afterwards if they are the ones on the bottom of your mouth, much less so on the top.

Flossing really matters and good that you stuck with that.

I hate the dentist :-(

I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled out last week and it was horrible. The dentist was really good though so he did it in like 30 minutes and kept telling jokes to keep me calm. The recovery is a pain in the butt and I've only been able to eat soft foods. Best of luck to you!!! If the wisdom teeth is really bothering you, you need to get rid of them! It will only get harder the older you are.

Tip on wisdom teeth: do one at a time!

Girl I am in the same situation as you. I can SEE blemishes on my teeth but I just can't pick up the phone and make that appointment! Good on you for taking action to make that appointment.

*ooogh made a long post and the page messed up*



Well I went, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, yet it was at the same time. I have to have the wisdom teeth removed. And I have 7 fillings that need to be done. I'll have the extrations done one side at a time. They will take up a good portion of my allowance for insurance so the fillings will be done after January. Except one which will be done in two weeks. He was concerned that one is on the edge of almost needing a rootcanal but it's not there yet. So yeah I was ok mentally till the cleaning and they had to remove 15 years of calculus build up behind my lower teeth, it didn't hurt but I cried. I was petrified and ugh I have nightmares about those teeth falling out. I'm so emotionally exhausted by the whole thing. Yea I'm glad it's over with

I was the same way...I went for years before going to the dentist. It turned out to not be that bad. I had to have a deep cleaning which they did in 4 sections. I also had a cavity, which I didn't even know about because there wasn't any pain.

Now I go every 4 months for a cleaning and it's a breeze!

Yes I plan to go religiously from here on out for my cleanings.

Seeing as I worked in Dentistry for 15 years the best thing I can tell people is go every 6 months for cleanings to avoid bigger, more expensive issues. You can catch decay (if any) when it's tiny. Also, if you have a good Dentist you will experience zero pain with all procedures. It's really not something to fear...easier said than done, I understand.

This is so true! About the pain part. I had to get a lot shots for my 4 wisdom teeth but my dentist was really good and I didn't even feel any of it. It was just the pressure from getting the teeth out that made me nervous. And the recovery Glad all 4 is out and done with now though, I wouldn't wanna go through the recovery process 4 times!

Yeah, I had four wisdom teeth removed at once. I couldn't mentally handle going to the dentist one at a time to get it done.

That said, you all have lit a fire under my butt to call my dentist. I knew two years ago I needed a cap put on one tooth and another is slightly achy. I really don't like the dentist. It's not the pain it's just that I'm so emotionally sensitive about my teeth. I went to the dentist when I was five and never went again until 21 and then had to have quite a bit of work done. I just felt so embarrassed. I didn't go again until I was 24 and had to have my extractions.

My husband doesn't understand because his step father was a dentist and he's had two bridges since he was 13 and knocked out all his front teeth. I know most dentists aren't judgmental but I just can't help feeling judged, so I go as infrequently as possible.