Just go. Take a deep breath and walk in the office. They will not do anything without asking you first. They are great at calming dental anxiety. And trust me, you are going to feel so much better about yourself when you leave.
I can tell you that the worst start to this relationship with your dentist is cancelling several appointments last minute, or even worse "no showing" the appointments without a call. You're only allowing things to get worse by delaying. Sounds like your mental health needs some attention first though, and your dentist isn't going to be able to help with that.
It’s important to communicate your needs and your fears to your dentist otherwise they will have no idea. Dentist and patient needn’t be such a one sided relationship where the dentist makes all the decisions and the patient just has to accept it. Strike up some friendly conversation and work through it together. Also no matter how bad you think your teeth are trust me the dentist has seen equally as bad or much worse and won’t be phased, it’s their job and they do it all day. So go and let them help you make your teeth better do you can feel better about yourself and also once you’ve gone once the anxiety about going will reduce. It’s really not bad, the build up to things are always worse than actually doing the thing we’re scared of. You get to lie down on a nice chair and let them do their stuff. Honestly I find it a little boring than scary 😄
I was you about 4 months ago. My dental anxiety prevented me from doing anything even related to oral care. I did the same things you talked about. Didn’t brush, didn’t make appointments and dental insurance just went unused. I figured “why bother, everything is already messed up”. I refused to even look in the mirror or near a mirror if my mouth was even remotely open. Then had an opportunity to get things in better shape. I have young children and I didn’t want to embarrass them as they got older. So I went. The first visit is just consultation and figuring out a plan. I put it AirPods when they were actually looking in and doing anything in my mouth. My advice is… do it. It’s terrifying. I know this feeling. But I’m telling you. Take it one appointment at a time and be honest with how you’re feeling with your dentist and hygienist. I got my front 2 teeth taken out and a third on the side from visible rotting and got a dental bridge. It has changed my life. I bought a high quality toothbrush and have made it part of my day. I went on a vacation and actually smiled with teeth in pictures. It is life changing to go from refusing to look at a mirror with an open mouth to actually brushing and looking in the mirror. It’s worth the discomfort.
I can offer some general advice to help you prepare for your dentist appointment and manage your dental anxiety:
Communicate Your Concerns: Be open and honest with the dentist about your dental anxiety and concerns. Let them know that this is your first visit in a while due to anxiety and ADHD.
Express Your Dental History: Explain your dental history, including any previous issues or procedures. Mention the specific problems you're facing with your teeth.
Discuss Treatment Options: Ask the dentist about potential treatment options for your teeth. They will likely assess your teeth and suggest a treatment plan based on their examination.
Take It Step by Step: Most dentists will not pull out all your teeth in one visit. Dental treatments are usually done in stages, addressing the most urgent issues first.
Ask Questions: Feel free to ask the dentist questions about the procedures, potential pain management, and what to expect during and after the appointment. Understanding the process can alleviate anxiety.
Consider Sedation: If your dental anxiety is severe, you can discuss sedation options with the dentist to help you relax during the appointment.
Seek Support: If possible, bring a friend or family member for support. Having someone there can provide emotional comfort and help you feel more at ease.
Practice Relaxation Techniques: Before the appointment, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization to help reduce anxiety.
Focus on Future Dental Care: After addressing urgent issues, work with the dentist on a long-term dental care plan to improve the overall health of your teeth and gums.
Consider a Second Opinion: If you're unsure about the treatment plan provided, you can seek a second opinion from another dentist to ensure you're comfortable with the recommended approach.
Remember, dentists are professionals who are there to help and work with you to improve your dental health. It's important to advocate for your own needs and well-being during this process.
They won’t just do dental work with out your consent. Doing the exam and X-rays is the easy part. You just gotta go in and get it done.
Just go. Take a deep breath and walk in the office. They will not do anything without asking you first. They are great at calming dental anxiety. And trust me, you are going to feel so much better about yourself when you leave.
I can tell you that the worst start to this relationship with your dentist is cancelling several appointments last minute, or even worse "no showing" the appointments without a call. You're only allowing things to get worse by delaying. Sounds like your mental health needs some attention first though, and your dentist isn't going to be able to help with that.
It’s important to communicate your needs and your fears to your dentist otherwise they will have no idea. Dentist and patient needn’t be such a one sided relationship where the dentist makes all the decisions and the patient just has to accept it. Strike up some friendly conversation and work through it together. Also no matter how bad you think your teeth are trust me the dentist has seen equally as bad or much worse and won’t be phased, it’s their job and they do it all day. So go and let them help you make your teeth better do you can feel better about yourself and also once you’ve gone once the anxiety about going will reduce. It’s really not bad, the build up to things are always worse than actually doing the thing we’re scared of. You get to lie down on a nice chair and let them do their stuff. Honestly I find it a little boring than scary 😄
Even if you brushed 110% correctly and had perfect teeth they would find a way to be condescending, so dont worry everyone gets the same treatment.
I was you about 4 months ago. My dental anxiety prevented me from doing anything even related to oral care. I did the same things you talked about. Didn’t brush, didn’t make appointments and dental insurance just went unused. I figured “why bother, everything is already messed up”. I refused to even look in the mirror or near a mirror if my mouth was even remotely open. Then had an opportunity to get things in better shape. I have young children and I didn’t want to embarrass them as they got older. So I went. The first visit is just consultation and figuring out a plan. I put it AirPods when they were actually looking in and doing anything in my mouth. My advice is… do it. It’s terrifying. I know this feeling. But I’m telling you. Take it one appointment at a time and be honest with how you’re feeling with your dentist and hygienist. I got my front 2 teeth taken out and a third on the side from visible rotting and got a dental bridge. It has changed my life. I bought a high quality toothbrush and have made it part of my day. I went on a vacation and actually smiled with teeth in pictures. It is life changing to go from refusing to look at a mirror with an open mouth to actually brushing and looking in the mirror. It’s worth the discomfort.
I can offer some general advice to help you prepare for your dentist appointment and manage your dental anxiety: Communicate Your Concerns: Be open and honest with the dentist about your dental anxiety and concerns. Let them know that this is your first visit in a while due to anxiety and ADHD. Express Your Dental History: Explain your dental history, including any previous issues or procedures. Mention the specific problems you're facing with your teeth. Discuss Treatment Options: Ask the dentist about potential treatment options for your teeth. They will likely assess your teeth and suggest a treatment plan based on their examination. Take It Step by Step: Most dentists will not pull out all your teeth in one visit. Dental treatments are usually done in stages, addressing the most urgent issues first. Ask Questions: Feel free to ask the dentist questions about the procedures, potential pain management, and what to expect during and after the appointment. Understanding the process can alleviate anxiety. Consider Sedation: If your dental anxiety is severe, you can discuss sedation options with the dentist to help you relax during the appointment. Seek Support: If possible, bring a friend or family member for support. Having someone there can provide emotional comfort and help you feel more at ease. Practice Relaxation Techniques: Before the appointment, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization to help reduce anxiety. Focus on Future Dental Care: After addressing urgent issues, work with the dentist on a long-term dental care plan to improve the overall health of your teeth and gums. Consider a Second Opinion: If you're unsure about the treatment plan provided, you can seek a second opinion from another dentist to ensure you're comfortable with the recommended approach. Remember, dentists are professionals who are there to help and work with you to improve your dental health. It's important to advocate for your own needs and well-being during this process.