Anxiety + dental issues + my teeth
My anxiety has gotten so bad over the last 3 months. I’ve always had anxiety but now my anxiety is tied to my teeth and it’s made living everyday so hard. I’ve never really had the best dental hygiene until a couple years ago when I was able to afford going to the dentist. I’ve had work done on cavities and have tried to keep them as healthy as possible but unfortunately due to bruxism I need crowns on my top and bottom molars. I also have impacted wisdom teeth. Basically I have to save up a good amount of money to get my teeth in order.
Strangely I wasn’t anxious but was happy to know I could save my teeth. Well. A few months ago I tripped over my cat while eating and cracked one of my molars down to the gum and had to have it extracted. I healed up pretty well and am on track to get an implant. I kept going to the dentist regularly and getting my cleanings, building up gum health. I thought everything was good and I was saving up to get my crowns and then all of a sudden a month or so ago I felt another one of my molars have a tiny chip. Went to the dentist- he confirmed there was a tiny chip that likely came from me grinding my teeth + wisdom teeth + drinking coffee etc. etc. That tooth now either will need an extraction or a root canal.
The orthodontist couldn’t get me in until November. So since about two months ago I’ve had extreme anxiety, I constantly feel like my mouth feels weird, it feels like my teeth are wobbly, I feel like every time I eat my teeth are cracking. When I bite down it feels weird on one side to me and I can’t tell if it’s in my head or if it’s real. It’s gotten obsessive to the point I am almost always running my tongue across my teeth, pushing against them, then I convince myself they’re wobbly. Then I have to check in the bathroom if they are, they don’t feel like they are then I use my finger and I spiral. I’m constantly taking pictures of my teeth and comparing them, I floss and brush my teeth after every meal.
I’ve been to the dentist since the diagnosis and had multiple x-rays and checks- my primary dentist just continues to tell me that I need to get the RCT done and as long as I continue with my plan of care then I’ll be fine. He makes sure I know that I need to do it asap and get my wisdom teeth out but also that I have been taking better care of my teeth and he can tell from the health of my gums and the smaller amount of plaque I have compared to this time last year. But I don’t think he understands the level of anxiety I feel everyday. I don’t know what to do but I feel like constantly messing with my teeth is gonna lead to more of them coming out. If im not cleaning them I’m touching them with my tongue or fingers or taking pictures. I’m scared for my teeth but also for my overall health. The anxiety is out of control 🥲