My fear of dentists means my teeth are decaying and I take painkillers daily

DEAR DEIDRE: TOOTHACHE means I am ­taking painkillers most days. My teeth are in a dreadful state but I am terrified of going to the dentist. I am a man of 35 and this is taking over my life. My teeth are black and ­rotten so I hardly smile. I had a horrible experience with […]

DEAR DEIDRE: TOOTHACHE means I am ­taking painkillers most days.

My teeth are in a dreadful state but I am terrified of going to the dentist.

Alamy

My fear of dentists means my teeth are decaying and I take painkillers daily[/caption]

I am a man of 35 and this is taking over my life.

My teeth are black and ­rotten so I hardly smile.

I had a horrible experience with a dentist when I was 15 and have not been able to go back since.

Anxiety and depression mean I can’t arrange an appointment – let alone have the courage to go to it.

DEIDRE SAYS: Dentists for the most part are only seeing emergencies due to the risk of passing on Covid-19 – but the pain you are in should qualify you.

Their understanding of patients’ phobias has chang­ed a lot since you last went.

Ask around friends to see who has a professional they are happy with, then book an appointment explaining your problem.

My e-leaflet Afraid Of The Dentist can help.

---

NEXT IN TODAY’S DEAR DEIDRE  I can’t stop worrying that my husband will have an affair like all my exes did

READ DEIDRE’S PHOTO CASEBOOK Madge goes home with another man as Jeremy Clarkson looks for rare stamps

---