I am nervous of the dentist and what is to come?

I am 19 years old and the last time that I was at the dentist was when I was 16. Growing up, I always had cavaties. I am still on my parent's insurance and I am embarrassed to go to the dentist. My mom made me an appointment for January, and I am nervous for what they are going to say to me when I go in there and how bad my teeth are, and for them to ask me why i haven't been there for three years. The dentist is a family friend, and I even feel nervous when i see her in town. Not only that, but I am nervous to tell my parents that I had not been to the dentist in the this amount of time.. Tips?

I am nervous of the dentist and what is to come?
Hi there,





your sooo not alone to be scared of the dentist..i was until i told the dentist i was scared and he (( he isnt the nicest of dentists)) and helped me too relax..without anny gas or annything...





If you need fillings or anny treatment done..ask to be reffered for sedation or to be put to sleep





Can you get an appointment sooner ?? Your appointment will only be a checkup so like a 10 mins Maximum time of being in the actual room





Please feel free to send me a message,


If you want anny more advice..





Hope it works out ok x x


Gd Luck





Emma x
Reply:starting now, i would brush ur teeth 8 times a day!
Reply:Seee....This is when the laughing gas isn't such a bad thing. Our dentist always gave us laughing gas and we LOVED to go to the dentist...
Reply:ok... omg u and me are doooooooooomed i hate the dentist! tomorrow im gonna get my teeth pulled NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...
Reply:everyone goes thru that kind of phase.. i kno its embarrasing but thats why there dentists so that you can have a beautiful smile girl..
Reply:Just go. These people are professionals so let them do their job. They aren't there to judge you. They are there to help provide medical care to you.





Dental health is super important. Recent studies have even linked gum infections to major health issues like heart disease.





Go get it taken care of and don't worry about it. Sure it will be a little uncomfortable, but imagine how embarrasing it will be to walk around with false teeth at 30 years old.
Reply:The dentist sees this all the time so don't be nervous. I honestly am jealous of you. For the longest time I was one of the millions of Americans that don't have health insurance and I couldn't go to the dentist. I just now received insurance and I will be going to the dentist for the first time in about 6 years! So I should be nervous but I'm not because I know the dentist won't judge me for it... and that goes for you also.
Reply:well have u at least been brushing and flossing everyday? if so tell them at least that ^_^





as to why u haven't been there for three years...be honest :D


just say u are paranoid of anything that has to do with dental...and that u understand your teeth might not be in the perfect condition but u do what u can to take care of them as best u can
Reply:WOW...it makes it hard cuz hes a family friend soo i guess brush n floss until that time comes try to buy the whitening crest strips....as far as cavitites go theres nothing u can do
Reply:Believe me, if it's an experienced dentist they have had A LOT worse off patients come in for a visit! You are young enough that even at your worst, it can't be that bad. They see old people's mouths and horrible things!





It can't hurt to also tell him / her up front that your worried. If they are at all nice and sympathetic, they will understand.





Don't worry....
Reply:I was in this almost exact same situation. I got a new dentist who was pretty nice, blunt but nice. Plus if you're nervous you can ask for the nitrous gas that will relax you in the chair.
Reply:So you are living in the future..fearful and embarassed about what MIGHT happen....WHY??





What IS happening is on a daily basis, your teeth are gettting worse and worse from neglect..and fear. If your teeth are bad..you go to a dentist and he fixes them. They see MONEY if your teeth are bad..they are not there to ridicule you.





I too once went to the dentist when my teeth were terrible and said I was too embarassed to go!! WHY????? was the dentists only question.





If you are on your dad's insurance..go now and get everything fixed. Then you will feel much better about yourself. Also, do you have any idea how expensive dentists are without insurance???





GO now and get your teeth fixed!!!!
Reply:If the dentist is a friend, I bet she won't bring it up. They don't usually comment on why you haven't been or how bad things are - they are there to help you get your teeth healthy. You are really lucky to be covered on your parents insurance - please go while you have that coverage and get anything taken care of that you need to. If you are really anxious they can possibly give you something to help with that. My dentist gives me a small amount of laughing gas while I have my teeth cleaned - I get very nervous going!! So just call before your appointment and see if they can help you with that if you think it would help. Good luck!
Reply:It is only normal u would feel this way..


Just like looks.. sometimes people are just born with them and sometime not...


Teeth are the same way..





some are born with healthy gums, Good teeth.. and others not so lucky..


Yes.. we should all try to prevent something from getting worse than it has to be....


You are not the first and will not be her last to see such..


the fact she is a f/friend.. I am sure makes it a tad bit embarrassing but..... don't allow it to ge the best of u...





Dentistry has improved so much.. so she should do u justice.. and that with be the most u can hope for..





Hang in there cuz u need Ur teeth.. for many years to come..


goood luck...
Reply:I understand and can relate to how you feel. A lot of people don't visit the dentist as they should...it's okay, the dentist and staff are used to it. You're lucky to be on your parents insurance...use it while you can. In the mean time...you need to at least brush in the morning and at night. You also should also floss your teeth, it makes a big difference...all will be okay. Good luck...
Reply:Don't even worry about what they think.I also have bad teeth and have spent so much money on so much work.I am not rich so this was difficult for me.I had to endure major pain for a year just putting off a root canal.It is not your fault.I grinded my teeth and studies by denist at a seminar this past year said they do not know why it happens.


Most of all my damage is on that side.Dental pain is so bad when you wait to long.I had a huge one finally yanked out and believe me I was shacking and it was close to the worse thing ever to me.I wanted the pain gone so bad I had to take it.Be a survivor don't think about what they think.
Reply:first off, DO NOT brush your teeth 8 times a day. that's at least 5 times too many... maybe she was joking, who knows... anyway, try not to be embarrassed. just go get your teeth looked at, see what all you need to have done to them, and start taking care of them now. brush and floss every day. and try to get everything you need done while you're still insured. believe me, dentists bills are expensive. the sooner you start taking better care of your teeth, the better off you'll be! : )





cheers,


Shauna!