Finding another dentist near me...dental concerns and anxiety

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Also, I feel doubly guilty because my dentist used to be (at first) very accommodating, and was sensitive to my needs. Having given me a filling here and there for free/waived the charge.

Also, I've had the odd reduction here and there, but last time she seemed less empathic to me. I guess because she saw yet another decline in my teeth.

Problem is, its as much a mental health issue as it is inconsistency of routine.

How do I stop feeling guilty?

Are you on any medication right now? If not, then simply brushing your teeth religiously should get rid of most of the swollen + bleeding gums problem like magic. Since your teeth have been moving around as well (are you missing any?) Then flossing becomes very important to you also. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get brushing, and try and cut down on those fizzy drinks - no clue why the above poster is recommending a fluoride free toothpaste. I mean sure, go for it, if you want the remainder of your teeth to fall out, otherwise you need the fluoride to strengthen them

You can buy toothpastes specifically for sensitive teeth, like Sensodyme, Oral B Pro Expert, and the like. Sensodyme for me personally worked a treat

I can understand that it can be pretty difficult to break habits that have lasted for years, but believe me when I say just small acts like brushing your teeth daily can improve your self esteem. NHS dentists around the country are pretty high strung due to the work load, so they often can't give the level of care and empathy to patients that they would like to. And unfortunately, this is also how the horror stories come up - for those of us who can't afford private dentistry, I'm not quite sure how to escape this trap tbh.

I have no clue what your mental health issues are, but maybe a counsellor would help in your position? Or a very supportive family member/friend. If none of those are available, the guys down at the TSR Mental Health Society are very friendly as a last resort If you explain your anxiety before a dental visit, I'm sure the dentist will be very understanding

I use fluoride free toothpaste and my teeth are great. If you researched it you'd understand...

Are you on any medication right now? If not, then simply brushing your teeth religiously should get rid of most of the swollen + bleeding gums problem like magic. Since your teeth have been moving around as well (are you missing any?) Then flossing becomes very important to you also. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get brushing, and try and cut down on those fizzy drinks - no clue why the above poster is recommending a fluoride free toothpaste. I mean sure, go for it, if you want the remainder of your teeth to fall out, otherwise you need the fluoride to strengthen them

You can buy toothpastes specifically for sensitive teeth, like Sensodyme, Oral B Pro Expert, and the like. Sensodyme for me personally worked a treat

I can understand that it can be pretty difficult to break habits that have lasted for years, but believe me when I say just small acts like brushing your teeth daily can improve your self esteem. NHS dentists around the country are pretty high strung due to the work load, so they often can't give the level of care and empathy to patients that they would like to. And unfortunately, this is also how the horror stories come up - for those of us who can't afford private dentistry, I'm not quite sure how to escape this trap tbh.

I have no clue what your mental health issues are, but maybe a counsellor would help in your position? Or a very supportive family member/friend. If none of those are available, the guys down at the TSR Mental Health Society are very friendly as a last resort If you explain your anxiety before a dental visit, I'm sure the dentist will be very understanding

Not on medication right now, although have been on and off for years. I suspect I may have like the early to mid stages of Gum Disease- though I don't know until I go to dentist.

Not missing any teeth, although one of them was so eroded it is near my gum line (its not a front tooth so its fine), I had to have like so much of the tooth drilled away, and cleaned and then 'root canal' treatment, as there was some nerve damage. At the moment its sort of grinded down in my mouth with a filling. Sorry for too much info.

It has gotten to the point where, I can feel like 'notches' where my gum line meets the tooth, and as i understand this could be the early stages of my gums receding.

Yes, it is hard to break habits, I mostly fear the dentist been really blunt with me, because it will embarrass me- but I also have like a fear of drills. I hate the sound, the smell it creates, and the feel of the drill against the enamel on my tooth. Even with injections, i can still feel the metal on the tooth, and the vibrations are excruciatingly painful- its like it rocks my core.

Whats worse, one time my dentist gave me one shot of local anaesthetic for one side of my mouth to fill in one. But she didnt give me a shot for the other, and claimed it'd be pain free. She was wrong! It hurt like hell, not as much as I'd expected, but the drilling hurt, and the vibration and the metallic feel against my tooth. Like clanging... [shivers]. i've never felt so much fear as that day, sat in that chair having had no numbing in that tooth, and she went crazy with the drill.

Somehow, I managed to keep modest, whilst being in agony.

Plus, she was very slap dash, couldn't understand her English well, and didn't have a good bedside manner, that was enough to put me off...

Also, the dentist knows I suffer mental health issues...I had to fill out a checklist, and I stated I was highly embarrassed at my situation of my teeth. I mentioned that I was depressed and extremely anxious of dentists. [this was shortly after dropping out of university- I was a wreck!].

Regarding my mental health, I have emotional problems, anxiety and bouts of depression, low self esteem. So in general, I feel **** 90% of time.