Just snapped my front teeth. Dental Phobia. Feeling awful

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MyLittlePony25

I was grinding my teeth. Habit I think, I do it when I’m anxious without realising.

I have a lot of dental issues, my top teeth are fucked from 20 years of eating disorders and depression (when I was really unwell I didn’t eat, wash or brush my teeth). I drink copious amounts of pepsi max. Alongside my severe generalised and social anxiety I have a dental phobia due to a bad experience when I was 15.

Before then I had beautiful straight, white teeth

anyway, I was grinding my teeth and I’ve snapped one of my front teeth at the gum and half of one next to it

I guess I will be on the phone to 111 tomorrow and trying to find a dentist near me but now I’m so worried about being judged. I’m worried about how far I will have to travel as I don’t drive at the moment.

my confidence was already low and now I feel like it has been shattered. I’m only 31.

I don’t really know what I want from this post, I guess I just wanted to tell someone as I feel so disgusting. I’ve already had thoughts of self harm but I’m doing my best not to go down that route again as I have managed to go so long without it.

Thank you for read
 
Reactions: 14

Gullri

My friend-you are not discusting!
You break my heart writing like this about yourself.
Lots of people have problems with eating disorders. Damaged teeth are very common from this. Dentist and healthcare are usually understanding and wanting to help. That’s why they chose work in that area. They have seen a lot of people with problems. I am sure you will find someone kind and competent to help you. Tell the dentist you are afraid! Believe me, no one likes going to the dentist. But it will be worth it. Sorry if my English is a bit of, it’s my second language. Take care!
 
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Begborrowsteal

Oh bless you! You can give your dentist your background and that goes a long way to explain the condition of your teeth and gums now.

Fwiw, when im depressed I also neglect things like dental hygiene. My gums end up so sore. My dentist is aware and is gentle with me about it.
 
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MyLittlePony25

Thank you both
I’ve calmed down a bit and I’m actually about to meet one of my best friends for a walk which should make me feel a bit better. I will get on the phone in the morning and try and find a dentist and maybe rope my dad into helping me get to and from appointments. A journey of public transport alone will be hard, let alone the actual appointment.
im just so upset with myself for doing this to my body
 
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TwooTwooTwitTwitTwoo

I am sending you lots of love (even though that doesn't really help you much, sorry).

I am also quite dentist phobic and had to undergo some intensive dental work a few years ago. The whole process was a strain if I'm honest and at one appointment I had a huge panic attack in front of an entire open plan room of dentists and patients (it was a dental hospital so no separate rooms, just partionting).

However, I got through it and I believe you will too. Just take it one step at a time. Take someone with you if you need to - even if they only wait outside for you. Explain how nervous you are. I found it helped to let people know.

I know what it's like to have your teeth affect your confidence and to feel disgusted by yourself and it is a truly horrible thing. I didn't smile properly for years throughout the treatment and I'm still very self conscious of my teeth now.

I just want you to know that you're not alone x
 
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MyLittlePony25

Thank you. I’m going to try and get in touch with my team to get some extra support as I’m really struggling with the ED part at the moment and try and find a dentist. Time to get my brave pants on for once, usually I run and hide from things. But I can’t hide in my house forever
 
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MyLittlePony25

So I’ve called around dentists and no one is taking any patients. One gave me a helpline number and they have said I won’t get registered or sorted because of the current times. So I have to be toothless even though it will effect my confidence and mental health. I won’t be going out anywhere for the foreseeable future then, even when restrictions ease
 
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LennyBriscoe

Sorry to hear you’re having a tough time, I don’t have brilliant teeth so I can sympathise. I’m maybe thinking of someone totally different but did you not post once before about a tooth problem, maybe an abscess? Could the dentist you saw then not help again or do they think this is more cosmetic?

Please don’t think you’re disgusting, you’re not. If you have any support re other areas, it might be worth trying to get them to support you in it in the hope that they can help. Good luck.
 
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Frenchie

I just wanted to come and send you my love, your not disgusting at all!!!

have you a emergency dentist? X
 
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MyLittlePony25

Thank you both. Yes, I was the one with the swollen face due to an abscess.

i have literally just been able to register with a dentist! I thought I would give another one a go and they are taking people on. Thank the lord! earliest appointment is not until the 6th July so 3 months of waiting but I had to take it. I may put off my job hunting (which I planned to start in June) until I have front teeth but at least I know something will be happening from then. Just 3 months of keeping my mouth shut, which I’m quite good at doing anyway!

I’m feeling a little more relieved now.
 
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Frenchie

Ah I’m pleased xx
 
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Winkle

ah so sorry you're feeling like this. cant be a pleasant thing to happen but gosh not your fault at all, shit happens, plenty of people have dental work for a variety of reasons, don't blame yourself at all. dentists are professionals and will treat your teeth and you with respect. i know in the past those with anxiety could get gas and air or sedation for dental work, perhaps its something to enquire about.
 
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under the ivy

You’re not disgusting at all! Part of one of my teeth fell out the other week and I felt exactly the same. I ended up having a composite filling as they were able to save what was left.

Try to explain to your dentist your anxieties and they will help you. I wouldn’t recommend ringing 111 as I rang them when my tooth fell out and they weren’t very helpful, so triggered my anxiety more. Best of luck x
 
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Falafel_Falafel

Where I live we have an emergency dentist that you can go to, even if you're not registered anywhere. You call and get an appointment the same day up to 10pm at night. It's a bit like a walk in centre but for teeth. Do you not have anything similar in your area? Waiting for 3 months seems so long. I am also terrified of the dentist and have lots of issues as a result of medication given as a child so my teeth are terrible. I hope you get sorted soon xx
 
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IsabellaT

I don't know where you live but Guys hospital in London usually has a emergency dental surgery running every week day that you can just turn up too. I'm not sure if it is running atm but my dad had to go there last year when he couldn't get in to his dentist and they were great.
 
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FakeSmile

I agree, can you not contact an emergency dentist just to have a look at what’s happened to your teeth? Just incase something needs to happen temporarily to them. I had hyperemesis in one of my pregnancies and it’s made me really sensitive about brushing my teeth. I recently saw a dentist for the first time in years and explained all of this to him and he was so kind. If you explain your history they should be able to help you - they will have seen it all before!
 
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MyLittlePony25

They have said that it’s cosmetic so not classed as an emergency I think it’s stupid that I have to wait so long when it effects my confidence and mental health but they said there was nothing they can do.
 
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Pixipoppy

MyLittlePony25 said:
They have said that it’s cosmetic so not classed as an emergency I think it’s stupid that I have to wait so long when it effects my confidence and mental health but they said there was nothing they can do.
Click to expand...
Could you afford to to private?
 
Reactions: 1
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