i haven’t been to the dentist since i was 19 when i got my wisdom teeth removed. i’m 26 now. i’ll provide a little info about my dental stuff. 

i’ve only ever had 4 cavities, although i’m sure i have some right now. but for at least a few months, my gums have looked really inflamed. there’s no pain, and i brush them when i brush my teeth. 

it might be worth saying that there was a 7ish month period where i hardly brushed my my teeth. 2023-2024 i was pregnant and diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. from the 6th week of my pregnancy to right around the 8th month, i was vomiting up to 50 times a day on a really bad day. i physically couldnt brush my teeth without vomiting and i was so scared to vomit that i didn’t even try. it’s been 2 years now and so far for most of this year i’ve brushed my teeth and gums twice a day with a few hiccups (not brushing before bed sometimes). 

i am a cigarette smoker. 

there was a period recently where my mouth would taste so bad no matter what i ate. just a funk lingering. my boyfriend swore it didn’t smell like anything but “neutral breath”. like no foul odor. that comes and goes for some reason. like i can taste it, but there’s no odor with it. idk. 

twice in the last 3 months, i’ve had what felt like canker sores on my gums (i’ve gotten canker sores since i was a child, but never on my gums. only on the insides of my  
cheeks) that worried me. they always went away within 2 weeks or so. just painful to brush. 

ANYWAY. i’m worried about my gum health. but also absolutely terrified to go to the dentist and get fillings. my mouth being numb just gives me anxiety. terrified i’m going to choke somehow or swallow my tongue. silly, i know. 

can you tell by looking at them what kind of state they’re in? working up to scheduling an appointment. 

thank u in advance. 

nervous about gums