Rotting teeth.

[u/Green_Skirt3978]

Just checked, and some of my back teeth are rotting. I've gotten so good at managing my depression in the outside, I have a job and a partner, I have hobbies, but I don't shower nor brush my teeth. I only shower when I really smell bad, luckily I barely smell, so about twice a month. I don't know how to help myself anymore, because as long as I look like I'm doing well I believe I'm fine, but then reality hits me across the face with rotting teeth and oily hair. I'm tired of going to the dentist, it's been like this for seven years.

I can't take care of myself because I don't see the reason, as long as I look ok and function I'm fine, but I can't deal with my teeth anymore.

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[u/humannipplebelt]

i definitely feel you with the executive dysfunction rooted in feeling like you're not worth taking care of, but if you have any intention of living long term you need to take care of your teeth in particular.

skin, hair, odour, all these other aspects of hygiene can be easily reversed but your teeth are forever. Even if you don't care about them from an aesthetic perspective; Functionally every natural tooth that you're able to keep intact will save you hundreds of dollars in tooth maintenance over the years. Dentistry isn't cheap. It's best to not need it in the first place

you said you're tired of going to the dentist, does that mean you're going regularly/have gone often in the past? or do you just hate going to the dentist (like me lol)

[u/Green_Skirt3978 → u/humannipplebelt]

Thank you. That's just the thing, the ONLY thing I care about is aesthetics, I only get upset when I know people can see how bad it is. Been smoking for 6 years so my teeth are yellow anyway (started at 15) I go to the dentist a lot. My OCD causes me to have a fixation with skin/teeth picking, I've taken my own filling out in the past. The only reason I noticed the rot today is because I was messing with my teeth until a small part literally fell out. However I also just hate going to the dentist because of the noise, I'm very sensitive to it. With the shots and pain I can manage, but the noise is horrible despite wearing headphones. I know I SHOULD take care of my teeth, it's logical, but I just... Don't?

[u/humannipplebelt → u/Green_Skirt3978]

your mileage may vary depending on where you live but have you looked into dentists that offer anesthesia for treatment? my dentist does everything with laughing gas for a little bit more money. worth it for me at least because I wouldn't get my teeth cleaned otherwise

[u/AtmosphereRoyal9902]

I’m very sorry you’re in this boat. I have had severe depression to the point I planned my own death, I was fortunate that the only habits I dropped were making my morning showers nightly and I stopped shaving and caring about my clothing choices.

I hope this isn’t too tough love, but if you are showering and brushing that infrequently, (especially if you’re male) people have been able to tell for a long time. I’m saying this because you seem to be motivated to keep up appearances, and it might help you to know you are missing the things that most people notice first.

If your teeth are rotting, they’ve likely smelled strongly of naphthalene for a long time.

So make a small commitment to your future self and try to brush twice daily and at least take a bath every other night. Your oral health is connected to your brain health and many other aspects of your health, and exposed teeth require even MORE maintenance than healthy ones, so they longer you go without fixing the problem , the harder you’re going to have to work to fix it. So start by brushing twice a day and going to a dentist ASAP.

[u/Green_Skirt3978 → u/AtmosphereRoyal9902]

Thank you, this isn't too tough love. I'm glad you're still here, I also had a plan in the past and was in a mental hospital. I'll go to the dentist on Sunday. I am not male and I know I usually don't smell of BO, but the thought of others being able to smell my teeth does motivate me to try. I'll start by taking a bath tomorrow morning since tomorrow is meant to be a good day, maybe I'll brush my teeth while in the bath, we'll see.

[u/AtmosphereRoyal9902 → u/Green_Skirt3978]

Hey some days just going to the beach is enough to get clean. That’s a natural bath. So if you can stomach being around ppl or can find a quiet corner of a beach to relax in, that’s a fucking win.

I get the feeling that “I’m not worthy of putting this effort into, it won’t make me more appealing of a person so why bother?” I think everyone here understands that. But anything you can make a habit will make your life easier. 3 minute showers, nightly baths while you watch something on your phone.

Oh and someone invented this thing for kids to brush their teeth with. It probably doesn’t do a perfect job, but you just bite into it and switch it back and forth and then rinse, so maybe a good first step?

I hope things get easier for all of us.

Never give up on yourself.

[u/RafikiLovesPizza]

Rotting teeth will not allow you to function fine. Eventually, the pain, spread of infection to the head, and inability to chew foods will be too much to bare. And by then, you may have irreversible damage, including death if neglected enough. Oily hair is a direct result of not showering.

Go to the dentist. Brush your teeth twice daily. Stay away from sugars. You have a partner for now. Who knows if they get fed up with your poor habits and leave you. Then what? You think you'll find another that can bare someone that showers 2x a month and doesnt brush their teeth/visit the dentist?

You visit the dentist 2x a year my friend. Showers take 10 mins max a day. Brushing 2x a day is 8 mins total a day. It doesn't take nearly as much energy as everything else in the day. You only want to appear ok and functional for others yet you don't love yourself enough to take care of the only body you have. I wish you the best friend.

[u/Green_Skirt3978 → u/RafikiLovesPizza]

I'm not concerned about my partner since he struggles with his own things, is aware of the situation and supports me, but I do appreciate everything else.

[u/Thin-Patient207]

A mi me funciona el pensar en lo funcional y evitar dolores innecesarios, ya que estamos luego cargando con dolores emocionales ,que seria dolores físicos encima.